Chapter 0458
Chapter 0458
Daniel also saw Candice and frowned slightly. His originally stern expression now had a hint of displeasure.
Candice met his gaze for a moment then continued walking.
Dinner was scheduled to be in the lobby, and just before Candice went over, she received a call from Tina. The others went ahead as she took the call.
Afterwards, as she went over, she happened to encounter a group of people at the entrance of the lobby.
Helen was leading Nina, pulling her hand along, chatting and laughing, followed by Daniel and Alex. The moment Helen saw Candice, her smile disappeared.
All her displeasure emerged, eyebrows raised, and her tone changed from a gentle to sarcastic. "Some people really don't know when to give up. They seem to be everywhere, always looking for opportunities to cling on. They're like a barnacle, aren't they?"
Nina, standing beside Helen, didn’t say a word, but the smile in her eyes was enough to show her triumphant posture.
Candice glanced at the two of them and calmly said, "If Madam Sui has so much free time, perhaps both your husband and son can arrange for you to join the sales department at Aether. After all, Madam Sui's ability to find fault and cause trouble at every opportunity would surely be welcomed by the sales department."
Candice's sarcasm was something she had recently learned from Yana, which immediately angered Helen into embarrassment.
Candice swept a glance at her and walked straight into the lobby.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
Even though she did not turn back, she could still feel several pairs of eyes on her back.
Helen watched Candice's retreating figure, the displeasure in her expression became even more profound. She stared at Candice's back for a while before turning to Nina. "Nina, this is what happens when people lack basic upbringing!"
Nina was about to comfort her when a shadow passed over them. Alex walked past them with a straight posture, then stopped three steps ahead, looking at them sideways with a cold and indifferent gaze. "You were the one who approached her first, and now you're saying she lacks upbringing?"
Helen was stunned by his words, her expression stiffening. Nina's expression was not pleasant either. She stared at Alex's back sharply before looking in the direction Candice had just left inexplicably.
Quickly concealing her emotions, she bit her lip and sighed. "It seems that Alex still cares about Candice. I'm starting to suspect that Candice's child is his."
Although her words were abrupt, Helen's eyelids twitched.
Nina smiled again and said, "I was just joking. Uncle and Aunt, don't take it seriously. I just think Alex cares a lot about Candice."
Daniel squinted at Nina, looking thoughtful.
-
The food prepared by the inn was mostly meat, and Candice had just finished eating when a candy was handed to her.
Hanley's voice was gentle and magnetic. "If you feel the food is too greasy, have a candy."
Candice had gotten used to Hanley occasionally giving her candy recently, so she just hummed a response of agreement and took it.
Ryan, who was sitting opposite her, saw this and also reached out to Hanley. "Give me one too, I want one."
Hanley glanced at him, his expression unchanged, his voice calm. "There are none left."
"Don't you have plenty?” Ryan asked. “I saw a tin in your suitcase yesterday."
"They're all gone," Hanley replied calmly.
-
They had come to Peak Mountain mainly to soak in the hot springs, which was not suitable for Candice. However, staying alone in the inn was meaningless, and Nadia asked her to help take photos.
The hot spring was hidden in a birch forest, with paths made of various stones and many captive- raised squirrels.
The evening sky had not yet completely darkened, and the distant sunset was beautiful. In such an environment, everyone naturally relaxed.
Just as Candice took a shallow breath, she heard someone behind her say. "Auntie, the environment here is really nice, and the hot springs are all natural."
Nadia was the first to react, whispering. "They’re really like evil spirits that can't be chased away."
Nina and Helen came from behind, with Daniel absent and Alex's figure behind them.
Upon seeing them, Helen frowned instinctively. She looked at Candice with disdain but did not try to speak sarcastically.
The birch forest rustled, and Nadia found the squirrels on the ground very cute. In front, everyone's identity cards needed to be checked. The hot springs were open by appointment, only accommodating a limited number of visitors each day, so the inspections were very detailed.
Everyone had to wait in place.
Alex stopped nearby. His gaze briefly fell on Candice before quickly shifting, and Candice was completely unaware.
Nina noticed his reaction and smiled lightly, turning to Alex. "My mom used to love Peak Mountain. She even said if I got engaged, we could have the engagement banquet here. Alex, what do you think?"
Her voice was not loud but clear enough for everyone around to hear. However, her tone was normal, as if she was genuinely seeking Alex's opinion.
The already quiet place became even quieter. Nina waited for Alex's response. Alex looked at her with a cold and warning gaze.
"Let's go," Candice said to Nadia. "Hanley and the others have finished with the inspection."
Candice didn’t really want to be around Nina. However, when she had just finished speaking and was about to pull Nadia along, she suddenly felt the ground tremble.
At first, it was just a slight tremor, but it slowly grew stronger.
The rustling of leaves around them also grew louder, as if the world was spinning.
Before Candice could react, she heard Nadia scream, and then she saw a dark shadow pounce towards her.
The shadow was fast and terrifying. Candice didn’t have time to dodge, but just as the shadow was about to pounce on her, someone pulled her back, narrowly avoiding the squirrel that had been frightened and leapt towards her.
Nina's scream rang out. The squirrel that Candice had avoided jumped to Nina's feet, scaring her so much that she turned pale.
The tremor lasted for about ten seconds. In the originally quiet forest, many squirrels and birds began to become restless, suddenly becoming noisy.
Candice didn’t need to turn around to know who had saved her. She was too familiar with Alex's scent.
Even after everything settled down, she still felt lingering fear. Nadia was also quite frightened, crouching on the ground and not daring to get up.
"Everything's fine now," a low, deep voice sounded above her.
Candice was startled. She was about to look up when she heard Helen's sharp voice.
"Nina, are you okay?!"
Nina's expression showed her fear, but she still shook her head. "Auntie, I'm fine."
Helen's gaze turned towards Alex immediately, who was still protecting Candice. Her expression darkened as she was about to speak.
However, Nina pulled her aside and said kindly, "Auntie, don't you remember? Candice is pregnant and shouldn't be frightened. Besides..." She lowered her eyes slightly, blocking the coldness in her eyes, but her voice remained gentle. "I asked my friend from Dorrington this afternoon. I know they used to be together." Nina smiled generously, as if joking. "So, it's only natural for Alex to protect her."