Chapter 0003

Candice looked at them in silence.

Alex claimed that he was busy because he was staying back with Sonia.

Candice took a deep breath and feigned nonchalance as she retrieved her phone.

Alex and Sonia then noticed her.

Sonia got nervous. “Candice, I’ll complete the task by today!”

“Mhmm…” Candice hummed a reply as she picked up her phone. “With Mr. Elysian guiding you, you’ll finish it in no time.”

She was speaking the truth. The big boss of the company stayed back just to help an intern complete an Excel sheet.

However, a different thought struck Sonia and her face turned slightly pale.

Alex looked at Candice. “Why are you still here?”

Candice waved her phone. “I forgot my phone. I’m going now.”

Tevar Group’s banquet was held at Southern Gin Hotel and the usual crowd of elites were present.

Guests who noticed Candice was alone went up to her and asked about Alex.

Candice handled them skillfully and confidently. “He has a meeting to attend. He’ll come if he can make it.”

A generic excuse that everyone understood once they read between the lines.

To everyone’s surprise, Alex made an appearance halfway through the banquet with Sonia by his side.

The man exuded elegance with every move while the girl beside him was adorable. They looked good together.

A woman who was chatting with Candice signaled her to look behind. “Who’s that girl beside Mr. Elysian?”

When Candice saw Sonia, she unconsciously tightened her grip on her glass.

Alex saw her as well. He shot her a meaningful gaze and she tacitly knew what it meant.

Candice then excused herself from the woman and went over to Alex.

“I thought you weren’t coming,” she stated casually with the glass in her hand.

“I brought her here to have a look.” Alex’s gaze was fixated on Sonia.

Sonia blushed. She looked young for her age and her appearance fit the current trend of fair and slender looks; her innocent stare captivated those taller than herself when she looked up to them.

“Candice, I’ve never been to an event so grand before, so I thought I’d follow Mr. Elysian here to gain some exposure.”

Candice simply nodded.

A guest came over to chat with Alex.

“I was talking to Ms. Renault about you just now and I thought you couldn’t make it, Mr. Elysian.”

Alex chatted with those who greeted him. Candice would echo from the side occasionally and things went well.

Sonia, on the other hand, followed Alex around but she was not able to join in on any conversation.

She peeked at Candice and noticed Candice’s confidence in speech, eloquently handling every conversation with ease.

Candice’s keen eyes noticed the hint of embarrassment on Sonia. She raised her glass at the girl and said softly, “You’ll get used to it in the future.”

Sonia nodded. “Thank you, Candice.”

Alex overheard their little conversation. He turned around to Sonia, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Sonia forcefully smiled and said, “Nothing.”

Alex probed, “Are you feeling unwell? I’ll send you back.”

Sonia’s eyes curved into beautiful crescents immediately but she felt conflicted. “Is it too much of a trouble? I can go back on my own though.”

Candice simply remained silent as she watched Alex bring Sonia away. Sonia bade her goodbye but Alex did not even spare a glance at her when they left.

The other influential figures then surrounded her and asked, “Ms. Renault, who is that girl? Why is Mr. Elysian treating her like his precious?”

The question sounded strange.

Everyone in the business world knew Candice and Alex’s relationship, yet Alex brought another girl to a public event and openly expressed his care for the girl.

The other guests looked at Candice curiously.

Candice had some wine and she did not want to drive, so she called for a substitute driver to get her home.

She arrived home at midnight.

When she opened the door, she saw a man in her living room.

Candice kicked her heels to the side and entered without switching on the lights. “I’m tired today.”

Alex’s frosty smell from his collonge was mixed with a hint of strawberry sweetness; the scent accentuated in the dark.

The sweet fragrance was from Sonia.

Candice froze. She stepped aside and asked, “Have you sent the girl home?”

Alex hummed heavily, but there was not much emotion behind his reply. “She still doesn’t know anything.”

“What do you mean?” Candice replied, mirroring his unfeeling tone. “So how long are you prepared to fool around this time? One month? Or three?”

Candice had been with Alex since she was eighteen and it had been eight years now. She knew Alex well enough.

However, as soon as the words escaped her mouth, she realized she was wrong.

“She doesn’t know anything, so teach her more. Don’t make her feel stupid,” Alex said slowly. The helplessness and care in his words were evident.

Candice’s heart sank when she heard him.

“Alex, are you into her?”

“As I’ve said, she’s a good girl,” Alex answered without a second thought. He added, “I think it’s not a bad idea to try being in love for once.”

Candice went silent for a moment to calm herself down. “What about me?”