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.”

subtly reminded

obvious that she preferred Jackson to

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

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

stopped by to toast Nydia. Nydia was an elder

promising to

fake grin, “After getting dumped

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

younger generation, including Alex and Sieg, to

drink.

comer as Alex deftly navigated the social scene.

encouraging him to cut

disclosed to her. And Sonia was frequently with him.

curiously, Sonia was absent that evening.

alone in the corner, Candice went largely unnoticed by the attendees, with

+15 BONUS

have much of an impression of Marc, but she politely provided

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

wearing a dress, she gladly

coat and followed Jackson toward the

seated on a couch, pinching the bridge of his nose, his expression slightly

to help, he would have had too

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

the

opened, allowing the

Jackson left to fetch the car. Candice was about to step aside

she saw Alex, who had been resting his eyes, suddenly open

a deep and meaningful expression, fixed

slightly knitted her

with a commanding tone, requested, “Candice, take

still momentarily, glancing around, noticing the absence of Sieg or any of

her. His face sank

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

gave her a sarcastic grin, and

none of your business.”

adding, “Jackson and I are merely