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.

lights and someone singing into a microphone, Candice, struggling

she overheard Sieg questioning Alex, “Did you really not want to

away, Sieg dared to

considerations. I simply lost interest. I’ve grown

retrieved her

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head-on. The person gasped

still doing here? I thought

Candice explained. “It’s hard for me

asked, “Is your vision

slight night blindness,” she

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

Candice paused at the entrance of the

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

said, “I think the loudness inside is giving

studying her face, remained silent. He offered her a water bottle, suggesting. Take a break before

water, insisting on

Drive to your place instead.

then declined, saying,

and it’s not safe for a girl to go home

did get an Uber. He handed her a small

did not grasp his meaning at

a trick my grandpa used, quite effective. It’s like wishing

side on her desk. She

time off from work for Joe’s

collect him, she encountered the director, who gently reminded her about the

high standards meant substantial fees. Candice calculated her finances, planning to settle the bill on

too costly. How much have you spent over the

she reassured him. “It’s

“Is your

mom uprooted and started a

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