Jackson's tone was tense as he looked at Candice, seemingly conflicted about her response.
Candice recalled that Solomon had also asked her if she had relatives in Solaris before. Something stirred in her mind. "Why are you asking this?"
However, Jackson did not continue. He shook his head. "It must be me overthinking. I'm sorry."
He had recently been confused, and he could not believe he thought there might be a connection between Candice and Darius. It made him think of Belle Quimby's recent situation, adding more confusion to his thoughts.
Sensing Jackson's unusual emotions, Candice said, "If you have something on your mind, you can leave first."
Jackson's lips twitched slightly, and he looked conflicted. After a moment of silence, he lowered his voice and asked Candice, "Candy, why didn't you break up with Alex back then?"
Candice was a little surprised as to why Jackson would ask such a question. She sized him up. After all, Jackson never asked her these questions about love no matter how badly she had fought with Alex back then. At most, he helped out when she needed his help.
However, she recalled his struggle earlier on and how he had previously mentioned Ella, she seemed to understand a little better.
She looked at the cup of coffee on the table which had barely been touched and said flatly, "When you can't think things through, it's like that. No matter how much other people give you advice, you wouldn't be able to make sense of it."
Just like she was in the past. She was well aware of Alex's asshole behavior, but she had repeatedly reassured herself, thinking he was just playing around. However, in the end, she was the one being played.
With Jackson burdened by his thoughts, Candice did not want to disturb him any further and soon left.
Before leaving, Jackson assured her, "I will handle Sonia's matter as soon as possible. Don't worry too much."
Candice nodded and left.
-
Candice left the villa to have dinner with a client which she had previously scheduled. By the time she returned to the villa, night had already fallen.
The villa was well-lit, and everyone was in the living room. "Where's Hanley?” Candice asked Nadia casually. “I need to confirm the details with him."
"He went to the hospital."
Candice put her bag down. "What happened? Why did he suddenly go to the hospital?"
Nadia shook her head. "It's not about him. Someone in his family is sick, and he had to go check on them. Ryan and I both asked, but he left without saying anything."
The situation in Hanley's family was known to almost everyone at Burning Star. Candice acknowledged with a hum and turned to head to the study.
Her busy schedule continued into the early morning. Just as she finished checking the documents, she heard the front door open.
Hanley entered, and at a glance, he saw Candice.
"Why aren’t you asleep yet?" His voice was a little dry.
Seeing the exhaustion on his face, Candice stopped for a moment. "Nadia said that you went to the hospital. What happened?"
Hanley brought in a chill from outside. Autumn had set in, and the temperature had dropped abruptly.
He took off his coat and hung it on the rack before entering. "It's my sister. She just returned to the country and had a car accident."
"Your sister?" Candice blinked. It was the first time she heard Hanley mention his sister.
Hanley's voice carried a weary tone, and he sighed almost imperceptibly. "She has been in Northern Eushancia, and she came back recently due to a family emergency." Hanley moved in the direction of the kitchen. After a few steps he stopped. "Do you want some late-night snacks?"
Candice realized that Hanley probably had not had dinner at the hospital, so she stepped forward. "I'll do it. You should rest for a while." Approaching him, she could still smell the disinfectant on him, indicating a prolonged stay in the hospital.
Hanley did not refuse. "Just make something simple. I'll go upstairs to take a shower."
Candice's culinary skills were average, but making meatballs was within her capability.
Jackson's tone was serious. "Candy, there's a problem with the situation involving Sonia. The process might not be as smooth as we thought."
Candice's face darkened, and she walked to a corner outside, asking Jackson in a low voice, "What do you mean?"
"Somebody wants to protect Sonia," Jackson stated succinctly.
Gloom settled in Candice’s eyes. She gazed at the clear sky outside for a while before asking, "Who is it?"
"Candy—" Jackson hesitated.
But Candice had already understood. She curled her lips. "Alex?"
Jackson remained silent, tacitly confirming.
Alex wanting to protect Sonia did not surprise Candice. After all, the information from Aether had been leaked by Sonia, yet Alex had not taken any serious action against her.
Candice stood outside with her phone for quite a while before going back with pursed lips.
-
At the same time at Aether, Sonia pushed open Alex's office door.
She knew she was going to meet Alex today, so she deliberately put on makeup to appear pitiful. She raised her eyes and cautiously looked at Alex in front of her.
The man was impeccably dressed, exuding the same cold aura as always. His handsome face and the distant atmosphere around him created an unfriendly distance.
Yet, this was precisely the aspect of Alex that captivated Sonia the most.
Her eyes shimmered slightly as she spoke softly. "Lex."
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