He asked the question with uncertainty and patiently waited for her response.
Candice hesitated as she glanced at the hospital bracelet on her wrist. The doctor had told her to stay in the hospital for two days and get some rest before being discharged, and Alex had promptly arranged for her admission.
With the mess involving Redshade Corporation and Henry, a ticking time bomb, she didn't know how to explain to Hanley.
She felt like she hadn't done anything right.
Sensing something was wrong, Hanley asked with a softened tone, "Has something happened?"
Candice sighed. "Hanley, I feel like I’ve let you all down."
She briefly explained the situations involving Quentin, Sonia, and Henry, keeping her hospital stay a secret.
She felt like she would be finding excuses for herself if she told him that she had been admitted to the hospital.
Hanley hadn't expected Sonia to become Quentin's assistant, and he seemed determined not to let Candice off easily.
After a moment of contemplation, he consoled her, "Don't worry too much. An assistant like Sonia can't interfere too much. As for your father and the situation with Darius, it might not be as complicated as you think. But it's okay. I'll be on a plane tomorrow morning. I'll talk to you when I get there. Rest well tonight."
Hanley's voice was deep and magnetic; when he spoke slowly, it had a soothing effect.
Candice hummed in response. She knew there was no use overthinking, but she couldn't help worrying about causing trouble for Hanley.
It was a habit she had since childhood. She was always afraid of inconveniencing others.
Hanley spoke softly, "Your anxiety makes me wonder if I've been too strict with you. How about I ask Nadia to prepare a Solaris travel guide for you? Perhaps you can have fun and relax a little."
Sensing his teasing tone, Candice smiled and replied, "Sure. When you get here, we can explore those places together. That way, during the team-building event, we can—"
She was interrupted as the door suddenly swung open.
Alex entered expressionlessly, holding two bottles of water. After placing them on the table, he coldly asked Candice, "Do you want to take a bath or just freshen up?"
Widening her eyes, Candice quickly ended the call with Hanley and asked Alex, "Can't you knock before entering?"
Alex glanced at her phone. "Did I disturb something?" he asked with a mocking tone.
Ignoring his cryptic question, Candice replied while holding her phone, "Dinner is over; you can leave."
Alex, with an emotionless face, stated, "The doctor said you should have someone to accompany you to avoid any accidents."
Candice frowned. "I can ring the bell to call the nurse myself."
Enraged, Alex sneered, "Do you so desperately want to paint me in a bad light, Candice?"
Candice met his gaze directly. "I will explain to them."
"I highly doubt that." Alex took off his coat and threw it onto the couch while saying coldly, "You can relax. I’ll leave in the morning."
He left no room for discussion.
Candice knew that nothing she said would change anything. Besides, the doctor had just warned her not to get agitated.
Hence, she decided to send a message to Hanley, apologizing for abruptly ending the call.
Hanley's reply came almost instantly. “Are you busy?”
Looking at the words on the screen, Candice guessed that Hanley must have heard Alex's voice earlier. She rubbed her forehead and decided to tell Hanley everything that had happened today, including her current hospital stay and Alex being forced to stay due to the doctor's recommendation.
Seeing the typing indicator showing that Hanley was composing a reply, Candice felt a headache coming on.
She lifted the blanket to get up for a wash, but she heard Alex's voice before her feet touched the ground. "Are you taking a bath or just freshening up?"
Candice remained expressionless. "Does it concern you?"
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