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.”

a warning look and subtly reminded him, “Jake,

Jackson to keep

her lips, placed the gift down, and informed Jackson,

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

and Sieg had stopped by to toast Nydia. Nydia was an elder

saw Jackson holding Candice, promising to

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

by without stopping, casting a side

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

drink.

sofa in the comer as Alex deftly navigated the social

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

his outings were rarely disclosed to her.

was absent that

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

+15 BONUS

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

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

just wearing a dress, she gladly

coat and followed Jackson

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

someone to help, he

his tone soft and

agreed, pulling the coat over hersell.

the cold wind from outside to

the car. Candice

saw Alex, who had been resting his

eyes, reddened from alcohol held a deep and meaningful expression,

slightly knitted her

with a commanding tone, requested, “Candice,

absence

as he received no reaction from her. His face sank a little more

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

grin, and asked. “Have

of your business.”

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