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.”

reminded him,

that she preferred Jackson to keep his distance from

placed the gift down, and

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

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

Jackson holding Candice, promising to

a fake grin, “After getting dumped

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

the influential Griffith circle, required the younger generation, including

drink.

watched from a sofa in the comer as Alex deftly navigated the social scene.

would have been by his side, encouraging him to cut down on his

outings were rarely disclosed to her. And Sonia was

was absent that evening.

alone in the corner, Candice went largely unnoticed by the attendees, with only Jackson and Marc occasionally

+15 BONUS

of an impression of Marc, but she politely provided her number when he approached to ask.

the event concluded, Jackson approached with a coat, thoughtfully advising, “it’s

dress,

coat and followed Jackson toward the exit.

seated on a couch, pinching the bridge of

someone to help, he

Jackson beckoned from ahead, his tone soft and

she agreed, pulling the

hotel’s door was opened, allowing the cold wind from outside to enter.

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

who had been

alcohol held a deep and meaningful expression, fixed

slightly knitted her

tone, requested, “Candice, take me home.”

around, noticing the absence of Sieg or any

her. His face sank a little more as he locked his gaze

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

her a sarcastic grin, and asked.

none of

before adding, “Jackson and I are