Chapter 0397
Chapter 0397
Candice insisted on coming with Alex to meet Stephan and Henry. She couldn't accept Henry using her name to slander Alex.
In the past, some people had said that she had too strong a sense of responsibility, so she always wanted to handle everything. But Candice knew she just didn't want to trouble anyone because of her own affairs.
Including Alex.
Her inherent stubbornness and obstinacy made her like this, and that couldn't be changed.
The car stopped at the Pearl Grand Hotel. Earlier there had been some scattered sunbeams in the sky, but now it was cloudy.
Candice had thought the weather would be good today, so she had only dressed lightly. But as soon as she got out of the car, a gust of wind blew, chilling her.
Alex stood behind her and draped a windbreaker over her shoulders. It was still warm. He reminded her coldly, "If you faint again, you'll have to stay in the hospital for half a month."
That's what the doctor had said when she was hospitalized. If she was hurt again, she would need even more time to recuperate.
Candice pressed her lips together, said nothing, and followed Alex inside.
Passing by a private room, her steps paused. This was where Darius showed her the video of Henry last time.
They reached the door of another private room, and even before entering they could hear laughter from inside, but couldn't make out what was being said.
Candice followed behind Alex, eyelids drooping, silently pondering how to handle meeting Henry. After all, she had mixed feelings toward him.
At least before coming to Solaris, she had still had great expectations for Henry.
Lost in her thoughts, her steps inevitably slowed down.
Alex noticed and glanced at her with lowered eyes. His gaze flickered as he said, "You can still leave now."
Candice looked up at him and her thoughts dispersed. After a moment, she calmly said, "There has to be an explanation."
Alex's eyes flickered then he scoffed and turned to push open the door to the private room.
The laughter inside abruptly stopped, and everyone's gaze turned towards the door.
Stephan Kemp was a well-known big shot in Solaris. When Candice decided to come, she had thought there would be at most Stephan and Henry. She hadn't expected there to be seven or eight people present.
Among them, Henry sat in the corner. When he saw Candice, his gaze instantly darkened.
Everyone present more or less knew Alex, especially Stephan and those around him. Their gazes were all shifting between Alex and Henry.
All of them knew Henry’s story about Alex getting Henry’s daughter pregnant and not wanting to take responsibility. Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.
Alex, however, remained calm. He looked calmly at Stephan and politely said, "Sorry for being late." He casually glanced at Candice beside him and continued, "I picked up someone from the hospital
on the way. I hope you don't mind, gentlemen."
Candice's gaze had been on Henry in the corner since they entered. Upon hearing Alex's words, she casually withdrew her gaze and turned to face everyone gracefully, lowering her eyes with composure. "Apologies for the interruption, everyone."
Stephan reacted first. He smiled and welcomed them. "No need to be polite, please sit down quickly. Mr. Elysian's friend is also my friend."
Candice smiled politely at Stephan. She had always been good at socializing like this. Such social gatherings were almost effortless for her. With a few words, she warmed up the atmosphere again.
Although Stephan could be tough in business, he was generous and hearty in private. Coupled with Candice's adeptness at handling such people, knowing what he liked to hear, he was soon laughing and chatting with her for quite a while.
For a moment, there were even more eyes on her at the dining table.
Candice paid no attention to them, raised her hand to ask the waiter for a glass of water. She took it then smiled at Stephan. "Mr. Kemp, since you said this is a gathering among friends, then I'll take the liberty of toasting you a glass of water instead of wine." She spoke openly. "I also want to clarify a matter in front of everyone, as this matter has already seriously affected my life and reputation."
She looked calmly at Alex for a moment, then directly at Henry in the corner, her brow slightly furrowed.
"I'm sorry to take up everyone's time for ten seconds but let me defend myself. I've recently heard rumors circulating about the relationship between Mr. Elysian and myself. I believe you all have misunderstood. There is no relationship between us." She placed the empty glass in her hand on
the table without any expression on her face. "If there must be any relationship, it's merely between a former employer and employee, nothing more."
Candice's face was already pale, her voice soft, her back straight, giving off a strong sense of resilience.
It seemed like a little girl was trying hard to prove her innocence, looking very convincing.
There was silence at the table, and those present couldn't help but lower their heads, avoiding eye contact with her.
Her gaze was too direct.
Candice had said what she wanted to say, and the atmosphere cooled down. No one dared to speak up, not even Stephan, whose expression was hard to read.
She decided to leave it at that, intending to find a way to change the subject. However, she heard a stern questioning voice, "Hey, Candice, why does what you just said sound wrong? What do you mean you have no relationship with him? Didn't you admit before that the child in your belly is his?
"What's going on? Does Mr. Elysian know his recent reputation is bad, so he's deliberately threatening you? Don't be afraid, there are so many people here who are friends of your dad's. If you're wronged, just speak up, we'll definitely stand up for you."
Candice followed the voice and found it was one of the two people who had dinner with Henry last time, called John.
Now, all the other people's attention at the table was drawn to him.
Candice's hand, hanging under the table, paused. She was about to speak when a hand reached over and calmly took away the bottle in front of her.
She turned her head and met Alex's dark eyes. There was no extra emotion in those eyes, just calmness, which gradually calmed down Candice's fluctuating emotions.
She pursed her lips and looked to the side.
"Candice, I know you blame me for not fulfilling a father's responsibility, but I still hope you can take care of yourself." Henry's hoarse voice sounded, his face sagging, looking very bitter and sad.
But Candice, looking at his obviously carefully groomed hair and attire, couldn't help but find it ridiculous.
"Since you know you haven't fulfilled a father's responsibility, you'd better not speak as the identity of her father now." Alex spoke before Candice could. His tone was as calm as if he were discussing the most ordinary matter.