My Mirror Image by Maybe Not (Candice And Alex’s)

Chapter 301

Candice lowered her eyes, pausing briefly before answering the call.

Almost instantly, Shawn's concerned voice came through. "Candy, are you still out?"

As she observed the heavy rainfall, Candice detected the concern in Shawn's voice and softly confirmed, "Yes, I'm still out."

Shawn was quick to offer, asking, "Where are you now? Let Alex come and get you. It's not safe to drive in such weather."

Candice bit her lip, reluctant to let Shawn know she was in Alex's company. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Alex's indifferent gaze, laced with a touch of disdain.

She hesitated. She intended to reassure old Mr. Elysian that she didn't need Alex's help, when she heard him coughing harshly through the phone, along with the background noise of Bruno comforting him and bringing him medicine.

"Are you all right?" she asked, worried.

Between coughs, old Mr. Elysian’s weakened and hoarse voice replied. "I'm all right. It's pouring out there, just look after yourself and don't act rashly because of that jerk."

Shawn's words came with difficulty, and Candice was about to respond when Bruno abruptly cut off the call.

Raising her eyes, she encountered Alex's impatient gaze.

In a deep tone laced with sarcasm, he challenged her. "Aren't you sick of playing the obedient and sensible one with Grandfather?" His eyes were cold and probing, pressed further. "Do I really need to beg to get a simple yes to be allowed to give you a ride?"

Candice's uncertainty due to old Mr. Elysian’s concern vanished in an instant. She stared at Alex unflinchingly and confronted him. "What have you begged me for? You seem to enjoy presenting your thoughts as if they're some benevolent gift to the rest of us." She fixed her gaze at him. Candice seemed kinder as her piercing eyes grew more tender in the warm light. She smiled scornfully. "It's pointless, really."

She had never lied to Alex or needed anyone to beg on her. Why should she put up with his repeated, unfounded accusations?

Candice collected her belongings and stood up smoothly, bypassing Alex without so much as a glance. She had come for business. Since this was a formal occasion, she wore professional attire and let her long hair fall loosely over her shoulders.

As Candice's figure receded, Jessica couldn't resist commenting to Alex, "You definitely got that sharp tongue of yours from your mother."

-

Candice hadn't planned on leaving so quickly. Upon reaching the lobby by the main entrance, the roar of the torrential rain caught her attention, sounding as though it was being poured out by the bucketful.

The severe rainfall made the thought of walking to the nearby hotel on her own seem like an overwhelming challenge. The streets were deserted, with not a car in sight, and the relentless rain showed no sign of easing.

Candice frowned as she held her phone and peered outdoors.

A person walked past her into the building as she called Hanley, bringing the chilly wind and rain from outside inside. Some of the wetness brushed Candice's arm, leaving a chilly, lingeringProperty © of NôvelDrama.Org.

sensation.

With thunder rumbling gently in the background, Hanley's deep and captivating voice came through. "Are you out and about?"

"I'm still at the mall," she informed him.

After a brief silence, Hanley said, "It's pouring out there. It's risky to go out. I can come get you."

Candice quickly declined. "I don't think so. Don't bother yourself. I'll wait for the rain to ease up. If it doesn't, I'll just check into a hotel close by for the night."

Just as Hanley was about to respond, a sudden burst of thunder cut him off.

"I'm fine,” Candice reassured him. “I should get going."

It seemed like Alex and Jessica opted to leave via the underground car park. Candice located a coffee shop nearby to wait out the rain.

The rain came down in torrents as if it were making up for lost time, continuing for nearly an hour before it started to let up.

While chatting with Yana on WhatsApp, Candice was interrupted by an unexpected message from Kayla, eager to share some gossip and seemingly delighting in the misfortune of others.

"Sonia's landed herself in hot water. Mr. Elysian had been counting heavily on the deal with the Quintons, and he finally secured a meeting after much effort, but Sonia ruined it for him. I've heard from the grapevine that Sawyer, Julie, and some other senior executives had to rush back for emergency overtime."

Since Candice was stuck waiting nonetheless, she asked, "What happened?"

She had known about Alex's ambitions to connect up with Solaris for a while now, but could Sonia possibly pull this off on her own?

Kayla responded swiftly. "Believe me, it was quite the drama. On the day of the meeting, Sonia fainted at the company and demanded Mr. Elysian take her to the hospital.

"Mr. Elysian initially delegated this task to Sawyer, but Sonia burst into tears and made quite a scene in the office. Mr. Elysian had no choice but to take her to the hospital because members of a social welfare group were present.

"According to Sawyer, that was the only day the Quintons had available for the meeting. When they attempted to reschedule, they were outright rejected."

As Candice reflected on this explanation, she recalled seeing Alex and Sonia at the hospital. It explained why Alex had been in such a somber mood, seemingly holding back his frustration.

It all made sense now.

Considering his lack of reaction, Alex probably didn't think it was a big deal that Sonia had ruined Quinton's contract.

Alex was true to his word, and Candice thought cynically to herself that if Sonia slipped up, he'd be the one to support her. That level of support must be what true love was like, she thought.

She nonchalantly responded to Kayla and soon shifted the conversation to another issue.

-

The same relentless downpour that had affected Candice showed no signs of easing up in Northdale either.

Sitting in a cafe beneath her apartment, Sonia was notably unwell. "Why did you come to see me with such heavy rain?" she asked Xavier across the table.

Xavier regarded her with concern. "I'd just gotten back from Fesa. When I heard you were sick, I couldn't help but worry and felt compelled to check on you."

He was notably handsome, and his gentle, measured way of speaking had a way of making Sonia feel deeply cherished above everything else. When she raised her eyes and was ready to say something, she met Xavier's gaze, which was filled with a worried but repressed look.

The floodgates of her pent-up grievances burst open, unable to stay bottled up any longer.

Since returning from the hospital, she'd been feverish and needed to take a few days off. She had hoped for a visit from Alex, yet, aside from one WhatsApp message exchange, she hadn't seen him at all. Whenever she reached out, he claimed to be swamped with work.

Considering the size of Aether Corporation and Alex's role as CEO, she doubted he couldn't find a single moment for her. Her suspicion grew. She suspected Alex was simply tired of her and looking to end things.

Xavier didn't miss the brief shadow of despair in her eyes.

Adjusting his glasses, he softened his tone further. "It might not be my place to comment, but seeing you hurt like this truly affects me." After a brief pause, with a look of resolve, he continued. "I'm aware of your feelings for Alex, but it’s breaking my heart to see you so upset. Do you understand my feelings for you?”