My Mirror Image by Maybe Not (Candice And Alex’s)

Chapter 0449

Considering herself straightforward, Nina smiled as she awaited Alex's response.

Alex glanced at her, the slight furrow on his brow smoothing out. His indifferent eyes showed no ripples of emotion.

"I'm not interested in playing these boring games with you," he said before he left. Nina's face momentarily displayed a hint of regret, but she quickly followed suit, acting as if nothing had happened.

Hanley and Candice went straight to the garden, where they spotted Hannah accompanying an elderly lady from a distance.

The old lady, with white hair and wearing reading glasses, was introduced by Hanley to Candice. "This is my grandmother."

Despite her unclear hearing, Elizabeth Anderson had a kind expression and seemed delighted, especially when she was looking at Candice. For some reason, Candice always seemed to attract the favor of elderly people.

After chatting with Elizabeth for a while, and considering the time and the relatively low temperature, Hannah took Elizabeth back to the main house.

The Elysians were a good-looking bunch and they attracted attention wherever they went. Nina and Ava were chatting with Helen, all three wearing smiles. Alex and Daniel, standing nearby, made the family look harmonious.

Hannah whispered to Candice, "My dad invited half the business circle in Dorrington for his birthday this time. You know how powerful the Elysians are." Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Candice nodded. "Social gatherings are always like this."

"As long as you don't mind."

Of course, Candice didn’t mind. She wouldn't actively seek out Alex.

However, this was the first time she had seen Ron. Unlike Daniel's seriousness, Ron always wore a smile and appeared friendly. Even when Hanley brought her over to say hello, he just nodded and smiled.

To be honest, Ron, who was kind and smiling, seemed quite different from the person Yana had described as the evil man who drove Hanley's mother to madness for having a child out of wedlock and then kicked Hanley out of the house for his illegitimate child.

"Dad." A voice with a smile came. Caspian, in a suit, said with a decent smile on his face, "These are my friends."

He brought a few people over, including Sieg and the other young gentlemen from Dorrington. When Sieg saw Candice, he smirked, sticking his tongue to the right cheek as he said nonchalantly, "Candice, you’re quite the employee, huh? You even came to attend your boss's father’s birthday party. If the Baldwins’ dog gets sick, will you also go to visit?"

Sieg was known in Dorrington for being outspoken. He spoke without boundaries, but since he was far from Ron, only Candice and a few people around him heard his words.

Laughter erupted immediately, as these idle, rich kids loved to watch a good show.

Candice glanced at him, unfazed. "Sure. When you get sick, I'll visit you in the hospital."

Sieg's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. "Are you calling me a dog?"

Not bothering to answer, Candice turned around and left.

Debating with someone like Sieg was pointless.

She sat on the sofa in the corner, and shortly after, Hannah came over. She handed Candice a piece of cake directly. "I almost forgot; you're pregnant and can't starve. Have some."

Candice was indeed a bit hungry, so she didn't refuse.

However, maybe it was due to the crowded space or poor ventilation, but the moment the cake was brought close to her nose, Candice felt a long-lost wave of nausea and discomfort.

She quickly put down the cake. Hannah, who hadn't gone far, hurriedly took her to the bathroom.

After resting in the bathroom for a while, Candice finally recovered. She apologized. "I'm sorry for the trouble."

Hannah looked at her pale face and shook her head. "It's my oversight. You're pregnant, and you should rest more."

"But…" She spun Candice around, saying oddly, "Most pregnant women gain some weight. Why do you still look so thin?"

Candice was naturally slender, and with all the recent stressors piling up, her weight had naturally dropped. Even though she was four months pregnant, she still appeared remarkably thin.

Hannah chatted with Candice and left the area. Not long after they departed, a figure emerged from the corner.

Nina, who hadn't hung up her phone, looked thoughtfully in the direction Candice and Hannah had left. Then, her eyebrows raised, and a smug smile appeared on her lips.

Just as Candice descended, she saw Hanley waiting at the stair railing. Hannah chuckled and remarked, "Your knight in shining armor has arrived."

Hanley said to Candice, "You seemed uncomfortable just now. Are you feeling better?"

Candice nodded. "Maybe the room was a bit stuffy."

"Shall I take you to the balcony?"

Candice thought for a moment and decisively refused. She wasn't foolish; she knew why Hannah insisted on bringing Hanley back.

Caspian was acting like a proper son of the Baldwins tonight, accompanying Ron in socializing throughout the venue. He seemed more like Ron’s legitimate son than Hanley did.

She said, "You go about your business; I can handle it myself."

Watching her silently for a moment, Hanley suddenly took out an envelope from somewhere. "Grandma likes you very much. This is for you."

The envelope was a bit bulging. Candice furrowed her brows and said, "Thank your grandma for me, but I can't accept it."

Hanley looked at her with a meaningful gaze as he replied, “All right. I’ll thank her for you.”

He then stuffed the envelope into Candice’s hand and said, “I'll go busy myself. If you feel unwell, call me, and I'll take you home."

Almost not giving Candice a chance to retort, he turned and left.

Candice watched his hurried figure, the envelope she held still warm. After a moment, she lowered her head and put the envelope away.

The balcony was cooler than indoors, but the air was fresher. Candice stood on the balcony, tightening her coat.

In the distance, people were still setting off fireworks. Candice took out her phone, thinking of taking a photo, when she heard the balcony door being pushed open again.

She turned to look, somewhat surprised.

Nina stood by the door, holding a glass of red wine. Despite the winter chill, she wore only a black evening gown, seemingly impervious to the cold.

She looked at Candice, her eyes full of inquiry.

Candice believed she had nothing to talk about with her and was about to leave, but Nina's words stopped her.

She asked, "Are you pregnant?"

Candice froze for a second, then she looked at Nina. "It's none of your business."

"Is it Alex's?" Nina swirled the wine glass, and the red liquid inside gently collided with the glass before sliding down the side.

She asked with such casualness, as if she didn't care about the answer.

However, Candice replied straightforwardly, “It’s not.”

Hearing that, Nina tilted her head and looked at Candice with amusement. She couldn’t be bothered to hide the contempt in her eyes as she said, “I see. If it’s not Alex’s, whose is it, then? Hanley? Jackson? Or someone else?”