My Mirror Image

Chapter 0042

After Sieg’s comment, everyone’s attention shifted to Candice.

Alex’s statement had inadvertently embarrassed Candice, making it sound like she was eager to kiss him.

Sieg continued to ask, “Jack is still here. Are you not going to respect Jack?”

Candice’s fingers tensed around her cup’s rim. She was about to respond when Jackson stepped in, “Sieg, enough. Candy’s been swamped with work, and she doesn’t handle alcohol well. I’ll take her drinks for her.”

“Exactly. We’re here to enjoy ourselves. It’s enough to just drink and be merry.”

Marc, who had been silent, now intervened to ease the tension. He filled his glass and toasted, “Jack, I’ll join you in this one.”

With Jackson and Marc defusing the situation, Sieg backed off.

Once Jackson had downed his drinks, they moved on to another game.

Candice noticed Jackson’s neck turning red. She felt bad about it and apologized, “I’m sorry.”

The group was daring in their game, and the alcohol was strong. After Jackson’s three shots, they persuaded him to have two more.

Squinting, he leaned back on the sofa and told Candice, “It looks like you’ll definitely have to drive me home.”

Though the party was meant to continue late, with Jackson intoxicated, Candice left with him.

Candice steadied Jackson, preventing him from stumbling, as they passed Alex and Sonia.

She caught Sonia whispering something to Alex at a volume audible to the two of them.

After assisting Jackson into the car, Candice realized she had forgotten her phone in the private room.

Jackson, rubbing his temples in the passenger seat, retained his courteous nature despite his inebriation. He spoke softly, “I’ll wait here; go get your phone.”

On her return to the room, she found the party even more animated.

and someone singing into a microphone, Candice, struggling with mild night blindness, carefully navigated to

Alex, “Did you really not want to kiss Candice, or was it

Sieg dared to

heard Alex’s indifferent reply. “No considerations. I simply lost interest. I’ve grown weary

She then quietly retrieved

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collided with someone head-on. The person

you still

explained. “It’s hard for me to

processing the situation, then asked, “Is your vision not

night

you out; it’s pretty dark in here,” Marc-offered to

paused at the entrance of the bar before heading

pale expression, Jackson expressed concern. “You don’t look well. Are you

and said, “I think the loudness inside is giving me a

He offered her a water

however, refused the water, insisting on

then proposed, “It’s fine. Drive to your place instead. I can get an

and then declined, saying, “It would be

often one to persist, countered, “It’s late, and it’s not

Jackson did get an Uber. He handed her a small ceramic figurine from his

Candice did not grasp

trick my grandpa used, quite

side on her desk. She pondered

off

at the nursing home to collect him, she encountered the director, who gently reminded

home’s high standards meant substantial fees. Candice calculated her finances, planning to

disapproving, remarked, “I’ve always said this place is too costly. How much have you spent over the

him. “It’s fine. My job at Aether Corporation pays

a pause, Joe inquired, “Is your mom still asking for

parents split up, Candice’s mom uprooted and started a

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