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.

a microphone, Candice, struggling with mild

really not want to

away, Sieg dared to pose such a

I simply lost interest. I’ve grown

retrieved her phone before

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she collided with someone head-on. The person gasped and staggered

startled, questioned, “What are you still doing here? I thought you

explained. “It’s hard for me

the situation, then asked, “Is your

have slight night

dark in

the entrance of the bar before heading back

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

think the loudness inside is giving

remained silent. He offered

insisting on driving him

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

then declined, saying, “It would be too

countered, “It’s late, and it’s not safe for a girl to go home

Uber. He handed her a small ceramic figurine from his

grasp his

grandpa used, quite

with the figurines, placing them side by side on her desk.

time off from work for Joe’s

the nursing home to collect him, she encountered the director, who

standards meant substantial fees. Candice calculated

said this place is too costly. How much

assisted him into the car, she reassured him. “It’s fine. My job

inquired, “Is your mom still asking

mom uprooted and started a

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