The Wrong Woman

Candice's gasp echoed through the room, her hands flying to her mouth in disbelief as she struggled to comprehend the unfolding scene.

Elio's chilling presence was so overpowering that it reduced the arrogant man to trembling silence. He bowed his head in submission, too terrified to speak. Every word Elio spoke carried an icy intensity, freezing the air around them. "If you're thirsty, get your own drink. Don't expect my team to cater to your needs."

The words "my team" echoed through Candice like an explosion, stirring a blend of nervousness and anticipation that hastened her heartbeat.

While she understood that Elio was referring to his subordinates from headquarters as "my team", she couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction.

Terrified and flustered, the man swiftly bowed and offered an apology. "I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Hoffis, I've made a mistake."

Elio's demeanor remained icy as he turned and walked away without acknowledging Candice, leaving her bewildered.

Despite Elio's intervention in reprimanding his subordinate, Candice couldn't shake the sense that his attitude toward her remained distant and unpredictable, alternating between cold and warm. Once Elio had left, Candice knelt down to help the man gather the scattered dollar bills.

Visibly shaken, the man's apologies tumbled out in a frantic rush. "I-I'm truly sorry, I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I can handle it myself..."

His demeanor toward Candice now bore an added layer of fear and apprehension.

Standing up, Candice turned her gaze back toward Elio, feeling a rush of concern wash over her.

Had he recovered from last night's heavy drinking? Was he feeling unwell today?

she observed him closely as he carried out his

characterized by an unparalleled level of seriousness and gravitas, radiating an aura that

upon him, Elio briefly turned, only to find

survey of his surroundings, his eyes

a call." Sean suddenly appeared, his demeanor

the screen, noting the incoming

brief moment of hesitation, he finally accepted the phone. With his Bluetooth earpiece in place,

your intentions,

associates to back off," Elio

continued, "If you choose not to heed my advice, then

as she switched the camera to the rear-facing view, focusing on a large painting hanging

faltered as he stepped outside,

contain his frustration, he stood by the fire escape stairwe and admonished, "Get out of room this instant! What

Candice back,

clenched, the veins on the

painting on

was a labor of love, painstakingly created over a month during his high school years, portraying Candice's likeness using

a cherished fixture

gifts from Candice, only for Michaela to destroy them all in acts of

this painting remained as the final tangible connection he had