My Mirror Image

Chapter 0039

Alex hesitated before raising his hand, giving Marc a cool glance. He snatched up the glass of wine that the waiter had just handed him and said, “I don’t know,”

Marc murmured in slight disappointment. “I see….

Sieg, enjoying the scene, elbowed Marc and teased, “I didn’t realize you were so ambitious.”

Marc confessed. “It’s the pressure from my family for blind dates.”

Candice, who was accompanying Jackson to see his aunt, was oblivious to their conversation.

Jackson’s aunt, Nydia Griffith, in her forties, maintained her youthful appearance gracefully, thanks to her background as a dancer.

She sized up Candice openly, then proceeded to question Jackson with a kind smile, “Aren’t you going to introduce her?”

Jackson cleared his throat and uttered. “This is Candice.”

Nydia, unimpressed, inquired, “I recognize Ms. Renault, but isn’t she close to Mr. Elysian of Aether Corporation?

Her attention returned to Candice as she asked, with obvious curiosity in her voice. “Ms. Renault, did you come here with Mr. Elysian?”

Candice denied, “No.”

She offered Nydia a gift, clarifying. “I’m here as Jackson’s friend: this is for your birthday.”

Nydia was well–educated and was aloof in her disposition.

There had been a photo of Candice and Humphrey going around in the elite social circle recently, and Nydia had seen it.

Rumors had been circulating among the upper–class women in their social circle, saying that Candice was reaching above her station

with Alex.

Nydia, who was already disdainful of Candice’s origins, looked down on her even more.

She disregarded the present from Candice, haughtily instructing. “Just put it there.”

Jackson, observing Nydia’s dismissive behavior, objected, “Aunt Nydia, Candice came for your birthday.”

a warning look and subtly reminded

she preferred Jackson to keep his distance from

placed the gift down, and informed Jackson, “I should leave then.”

apologetic, offering, “Walt for me, I’ll take

was an elder to them,

promising to take her home.

grin, “After getting dumped by

passed by without stopping, casting a side glance at Candice’s wrist in Jackson’s

the influential Griffith circle, required the younger generation, including Alex and Sieg, to

drink.

from a sofa in the comer as Alex deftly navigated

side, encouraging him to

outings were rarely disclosed to her. And Sonia was frequently with him.

was absent that evening.

the attendees, with only

+15 BONUS

not have much of an impression of Marc, but she politely provided her

Jackson approached with a coat, thoughtfully advising, “it’s breezy outside; be

was just wearing a dress,

and followed Jackson toward the

the hotel’s entrance, she noticed Alex seated on a couch, pinching the bridge of his nose, his

to help, he would have had too much to

beckoned from ahead, his tone soft and kind, “Stay here; I’ll bring

she agreed, pulling the coat

the cold

to fetch the car. Candice was about to

been resting his eyes, suddenly open them.

eyes, reddened from alcohol held a deep

knitted her brows.

requested, “Candice,

the absence of Sieg or any

impatience mounted as he received no reaction from her. His face sank a little more as he locked his

averted her eyes and spoke clearly enough for Alex to hear,

intently, gave her a sarcastic grin, and asked. “Have you hooked up with

none of

adding, “Jackson and I are merely