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, “Jake, your parents

Jackson to

lips, placed the gift down, and informed Jackson, “I

seized her wrist, his expression apologetic, offering, “Walt for me, I’ll

by to toast Nydia. Nydia was an elder to

Candice, promising to take her home.

grin, “After getting dumped by Alex, you’re moving on to

a side

by the influential Griffith circle, required the younger generation,

drink.

from a sofa in the comer as Alex

have been by his side, encouraging him to cut

were rarely disclosed to her. And Sonia was

was absent that evening.

the corner, Candice went largely unnoticed by the attendees, with only Jackson and

+15 BONUS

but she politely provided her number when he

a coat, thoughtfully advising, “it’s breezy outside; be careful not to catch a cold.”

dress, she

the coat and followed Jackson toward the exit.

entrance, she noticed Alex seated on a couch, pinching the bridge of his nose, his expression slightly

help, he would have had too much

soft and kind, “Stay here; I’ll bring the car,”

the

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

the car. Candice was about to step

saw Alex, who had been resting his eyes, suddenly open them.

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

slightly knitted

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

glancing around, noticing the absence of Sieg or any

His face sank a little more as he locked

her eyes and spoke clearly enough for Alex to hear, “I didn’t come in my car, ask Sieg to drive you.”

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

none of

hesitating before adding, “Jackson and I