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.”

gave Jackson a warning look and subtly reminded him, “Jake, your parents

preferred Jackson to

her lips, placed the gift down, and informed Jackson, “I should leave then.”

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

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

promising to take her home.

fake grin, “After getting

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

Griffith circle, required the younger generation,

drink.

watched from a sofa in the comer as Alex deftly navigated the

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

rarely disclosed to her. And

Sonia was absent that evening.

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

+15 BONUS

did not have much of an impression of Marc, but she politely provided her number when

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

was just wearing a dress, she gladly accepted

coat and followed Jackson toward the

hotel’s entrance, she noticed Alex seated on a couch, pinching the bridge of his

that without someone to help, he would have

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

the

was opened, allowing the cold wind from outside to enter.

to fetch the car. Candice was about to step aside

who had been resting his eyes, suddenly open them.

a deep

slightly knitted her

a commanding tone, requested, “Candice,

around, noticing the absence of Sieg or any of Alex’s other

face sank a little more as he locked his gaze on Candice.

Alex to hear, “I didn’t

her intently, gave her a sarcastic grin, and asked. “Have you hooked

none of

at her shoes, hesitating before adding, “Jackson and I are merely