Alex felt like his heart was being squeezed tightly.
In his deep, dark eyes, a mix of complicated feelings began to surface, and he swallowed hard.
He was supposed to be in a meeting when he got word that Helen was at the hospital, so he had rushed over immediately.
The days of constant activity were visibly wearing him down.
Candice didn't even glance at him. She stared out the window blankly, her expression unreadable, but her rejection was crystal clear.
Helen's presence was unwelcome.
Unlike Candice, Yana couldn't hide her annoyance. She bit her lip, shot Alex a glare, and promptly led him out.
The police investigation was now being handled by Hanley and Jackson.
After spending two more days in the hospital, Candice was discharged on a particularly nice day.
Yana brought her a red coat and said, "Wear this to keep away bad luck."
Candice hadn't seen the sun in a long time. As she stepped out of the hospital, she felt that the air was unusually fresh.
Her skin, which had been pale from being indoors, looked a bit more lively under the red coat.
Hanley went to get the car and asked her to wait.
Candice shook her head and declined, saying, "I'll wait outside. I've been cooped up in the hospital for too long. It's nice to be out and about."
Yana accompanied her outside, passing a withered tree near the hospital entrance, its branches bare.
Not far away, a prominent Maybach was parked.
Alex stood by the car, his gaze intense as he looked their way. He seemed about to approach but stopped when Hanley's car arrived, blocking his view.
Candice glanced at him casually.
Hanley's voice broke the silence. "Get in."
Having been hospitalized for a while, Hanley had been visiting her daily despite his busy schedule managing his studio.
Yana helped with Candice's luggage, breathing a sigh of relief. She said, "Alright, you're finally discharged. Let's go home. From now on, everything will be smooth sailing."
As they drove away, Yana glanced outside and clicked her tongue. She muttered, "Why is he here?"
In the rearview mirror, Alex's tall, slender figure was visible, but his expression remained hidden.
Candice was too engrossed in her phone to hear.
Dealing with Daniel's case proved challenging due to his influence. Powerful people often felt they were invincible, regardless of the circumstances.
Nevertheless, Candice remained determined.
Unfortunately, Jackson and Yana couldn't offer much assistance. Being part of the same social circle, their families had connections with the Elysians, making it difficult to take a firm stand against them.
Feeling remorseful, Yana apologized, to which Candice replied, "It's alright. We're still gathering evidence, aren't we?"
Though not as influential as Yana's family, Candice had spent years in their social circle and had certain connections.
Otherwise, Helen wouldn't have approached her about a private settlement.
A few days after leaving the hospital, Candice overheard Hanley discussing a project with Ryan over the phone. She volunteered to handle it herself.
Her flight was scheduled for three days later.
Her words were cutting, aimed at humiliating someone as proud as Alex, hoping to deter him from approaching her in the future.
As expected, Alex's entire demeanor froze. His expression darkened briefly.
For a while, Alex remained motionless.
Seeing his lack of response, Candice turned to leave, her eyes reflecting indifference.
But just as she moved, she felt a chest pressing against her back, emanating a cold, clean scent.
Alex had no ill intentions toward Candice; he simply wanted to be near her.
However, witnessing her genuine disdain and indifference left him feeling empty, causing his body to react instinctively before his mind caught up. He ended up embracing Candice.
Her frail body felt cold and small in his arms. When Alex regained his senses, he refrained from holding her too tightly, fearing he might hurt her.
As he caught the familiar scent from her body, Alex's hands trembled involuntarily. Though he initially tightened his grip around her waist, he soon loosened it, concerned about making Candice uncomfortable.
His attempt to please her was evident. Leaning down, his cold lips brushed against her ear as if he intended to kiss her neck, but he stopped abruptly.
Sensing the trembling figure in his arms, Alex suddenly snapped back to reality.
The next moment, Candice's voice, filled with cold anger, questioned him, "Can you please stop disgusting me?"
Startled, Alex's arms were forcefully pushed away as Candice walked away without looking back.
Candice changed the time of her flight to Solaris, boarding the plane the following day.
She had no desire to spend another day in Dorrington.
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