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.”

look and subtly reminded him, “Jake,

preferred Jackson to keep

placed the gift down, and

his expression apologetic, offering, “Walt for me, I’ll take you home in a bit.”

toast Nydia. Nydia was an elder to them, despite their diverse fields of

Jackson holding Candice, promising to

getting dumped by Alex, you’re moving on to

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

the younger generation, including Alex and Sieg, to socialize extensively

drink.

comer

encouraging him

outings were rarely disclosed to her.

was

Candice went largely unnoticed by the attendees, with only Jackson and Marc occasionally engaging

+15 BONUS

much of an impression of Marc, but she politely provided her number

the event concluded, Jackson approached with a coat, thoughtfully advising, “it’s breezy outside; be careful not to catch a cold.”

dress, she gladly

followed

couch,

help, he would have had too much to drink.

and kind, “Stay here; I’ll bring the

the coat

opened, allowing the cold wind from outside to enter.

the car. Candice was about to step aside to

had been resting his eyes, suddenly open them.

held a deep and meaningful expression, fixed

knitted

tone, requested,

glancing around, noticing the absence of Sieg or any of

mounted as he received no reaction from her. His face sank a little

eyes and spoke clearly enough for Alex to hear, “I didn’t

sarcastic grin, and asked. “Have

none of your

shoes, hesitating before adding, “Jackson and I are