Chapter 0414
Chapter 0414
A deep magnetic voice sounded behind her.
"Be careful." Alex, with one hand around Candice’s shoulder, guided her slightly backward. It was only then that Candice realized that, amidst the struggle, Henry had steered her toward a small step, and right in front of her was a gap.
If she missed a step, she would’ve undoubtedly fallen.
Candice stared at the gap as her expression turned cold, with a storm brewing in her eyes. It was hard for her not to think that Henry did it intentionally.
After all, there were so many steps, yet he brought her directly to this side.
The passersby consciously avoided the gap, making their way around it.
Henry, suddenly noticing the change in Candice's expression, maintained his serious demeanor, but his eyes revealed a hint of guilt. Still, he strained to keep his stern face as he turned to Alex, clearing his throat. "Mr. Elysian, what a coincidence. I'm here to pick Candy up."
His words sounded somewhat forced, and the seriousness on his face was wearing thin. After all, he had mistakenly believed Alex was his future son-in-law and didn't expect it to be a misunderstanding.
However, he was soon reminded about how he had offended Alex for Candice's sake, which led to his predicament. This caused the guilt in his gaze to be replaced by anger.
In a commanding tone, he warned Candice, "Don't make me say it again. If you insist on keeping this illegitimate child, don't expect me to acknowledge it!"
As Candice listened to this, she sneered mockingly. Henry's self-righteousness was truly astonishing. He hadn't cared about her for over a decade, yet now he dared to say he wouldn't acknowledge her child?
Candice's voice trembled slightly, angered by Henry's shamelessness. Clenching her fists, she sarcastically asked him, "Why would I need you to acknowledge my child? You don't even qualify as a decent father; do you think I’d let my child near you?"
Candice stared directly at Henry, showing no sign of backing down. "Who are you to say such a thing?"
Her challenging demeanor seemed to threaten Henry's authority.
Henry’s face was twisted in anger, and he was about to raise his hand again.
In a split second, an arm blocked in front of her. NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.
Adorning the man’s cuff was a sapphire button, and his slender, elegant fingers revealed faint blue veins beneath the thin skin.
Alex extended his hand in front of Candice, his sharp gaze fixed on Henry's face.
Alex was taller than Henry, and his casual gaze carried a strong sense of pressure.
His voice, with a compelling tone, cut through. "Mr. Renault, do you have a penchant for violence that needs correcting?"
Taking a step back, Henry seemed somewhat apprehensive, his eyes flickering over Alex before diverting away.
While Alex blocked Henry, Candice, positioned behind Alex, was gently guided backward by his other hand.
As Candice looked at the desperate Henry, a sense of throbbing pain pulsed in her head.
"Candice, if you don't listen to me now, you'll regret it later. It'll be too late then!" Henry, unable to withstand the pressure brought by Alex, refocused his attention on Candice.
Gritting his teeth and glancing at how Alex was protecting Candice, Henry suddenly squinted and said, "Candice, do you think I'm doing this for no reason? If your child is Mr. Elysian's, I will bring you back and give you all the support you need!"
He finished with hopeful eyes fixed on Candice, as if still harboring the last bit of expectation.
He was waiting for Candice to acknowledge her relationship with Alex.
However, Candice remained expressionless, offering no response.
Candice had learned her lesson. She knew better than to engage with Henry, or he would become more relentless.
As she watched Henry leave, her indifferent expression slowly transformed into annoyance.
"Why didn't Barox come to pick you up?" Alex's casual voice interrupted her thoughts.
She looked up and was about to speak when Barox's voice echoed from a distance.
"Candice."
Following the voice, she saw Barox in a trench coat standing on the roadside. Glancing at Alex, she nonchalantly said, "Well, look who's here?"
Alex narrowed his eyes, the deep emotions within his pitch-black gaze hidden. Looking at Candice, he chuckled softly. "Right on time. As soon as Henry leaves, he arrives."
The sarcasm was evident, but Candice paid it no mind. She looked at Barox, who had come over, looking a little down.
Barox's eyes lingered between Alex and Candice. Without much reaction, he said, "There was some traffic when I came. I'm sorry for being late. Anyway, I brought this for you."
He took out a cup of warm tea from the pocket of his trench coat and handed it to Candice.
The tea was still warm, and Candice smiled as she held it, thanking Barox softly.
Alex, observing Candice with the tea, let out an almost imperceptible chuckle.
Candice and Barox exchanged a few words and then left directly.
Alex stood there for a while before slowly retracting his gaze from Candice's departing figure. He then left leisurely as well.
What they didn't know was that, as they left, a pair of eyes in a Rolls-Royce parked in the corner were also watching their departure.
Sonia nearly pierced her palm with her fingernails.
She knew that Alex and that wretched Candice were still in contact.
A light laughter came from the front, whereupon a young man with a tired voice asked, "Do you like Alex?"
Sonia snapped back to reality and looked toward the rearview mirror. With her view restricted, she could only see the smooth contour of the young man's jaw.
He asked, "So, can you meet my requirements?"
Recalling their conversation just now, Sonia's emotions surged. Tentatively, she probed, "What if I can't?"
The young man didn't answer her immediately, but after a while, he said, "Then you'll go to jail."
Sonia was startled. She knew this person was threatening her, but it was also a fact.
She knew Candice had evidence against her, and if Candice sued her, she would undoubtedly have to pay the price.
However, this person had helped her smooth everything out. He even promised her that as long as she could hand over the core data of Aether Corporation, he would ensure her future would be trouble-free.
Sonia understood he was using her, but she had no other choice. She didn't want to be forever trampled under Candice's feet.
She also wanted to show Alex that she could do what Candice couldn't. She might even do it better!
She wanted Alex to see who truly deserved to stand by his side.
She clenched her fist, trying hard to keep herself composed. "I can agree to your terms, but don't forget that you promised me you’d collaborate with Aether Corporation."
Darius, with cold and weary eyes, stared outside while absentmindedly playing with a lighter in his hand.
When he heard Sonia's words, his attitude remained the same, his tone devoid of any emotion. "Of course, we’ll collaborate."