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.”

warning look and subtly reminded him, “Jake, your parents will arrive soon.”

preferred Jackson to keep his distance from

the gift down, and informed

her wrist, his expression apologetic, offering, “Walt for

by to toast Nydia. Nydia was an elder to them, despite their

holding Candice, promising

“After getting dumped by Alex,

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

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

drink.

from a sofa in the comer as Alex deftly

his side, encouraging

to her. And Sonia

curiously, Sonia was absent that evening.

largely unnoticed by the

+15 BONUS

impression of Marc, but

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

just wearing a dress, she

coat and followed Jackson

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

realized that without someone to help, he

and kind,

agreed, pulling the coat

hotel’s door was opened, allowing the cold

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

had been resting his

reddened from alcohol held a deep and meaningful expression, fixed on

slightly knitted her

tone, requested, “Candice, take me

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

reaction from her. His face sank

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

her a sarcastic grin, and asked. “Have you

none of your

before adding, “Jackson and I are merely friends.”