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.

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

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

apparently away, Sieg dared to

considerations. I simply lost interest. I’ve grown weary of

retrieved her

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head-on. The person gasped and staggered

still doing here?

“It’s hard

the situation, then asked, “Is your

slight night blindness,”

dark in here,” Marc-offered to guide Candice

Candice paused at the entrance of the bar before heading

expressed concern. “You don’t look well. Are

shook her head and said, “I think the loudness inside is giving

offered her a water bottle, suggesting. Take a break before we

however, refused the water, insisting on

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

and then declined, saying, “It would be too

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

her a small ceramic figurine from

grasp his meaning

my grandpa used, quite

side by side on her desk.

Candice requested time off from

encountered the director, who gently reminded her

fees. Candice calculated her finances, planning to settle the bill

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

into the car, she reassured him. “It’s fine. My job at Aether Corporation

a pause, Joe inquired, “Is your mom still

parents split up, Candice’s mom uprooted and

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