My Mirror Image

Chapter 36

Candice paused briefly before asking, “You took that picture?”

“It was just an impulsive click,” he admitted, feeling a bit ashamed.

He knew it was an invasion of Candice’s privacy, especially after witnessing Alex escort her from the

private room later that night. At the time of posting, he had not thought much of it.

But now, regret crept in after hearing negative gossip about Candice.

He awkwardly touched his ear and said, “I’m Marc Freeman. What I did wasn’t right. If you ever need

anything, feel free to reach out to me.”

Candice stayed quiet, recalling that Marc was the one who had asked her to shut the door to the

private room that evening.

Marc was visibly uncomfortable and apologized repeatedly before leaving.

Candice then turned to Jackson, who had been quiet, and asked, “Did you need something else?”

Jackson’s soft voice conveyed concern, “Are you alright? With everything that’s been happening…”

Candice cut him off before he could continue. “It hasn’t bothered me.”

Jackson observed her for a moment, a sense of helplessness in his gaze. He then asked, “Would you ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

like to have dinner tonight?”

After spending some time in the reception area, Candice was about to head back to her office when

Kayla came in hurriedly.

Kayla looked hesitant as she approached Candice, catching her breath before explaining. “There’s a

disturbance in the secretary’s office. A client is causing a scene.”

Arriving at the scene, Candice discovered the client was a woman, furiously accusing a secretary of

having an affair with her husband and branding her a homewrecker.

The secretary’s complexion turned visibly pale with the accusation.

Scowled. Candice stepped forward and interrupted, “Madam, please calm down. Let’s discuss this

calmly.”

However, the client, engulfed in her fury, ignored Candice’s plea and shoved her.

The push, combined with Candice’s high heels, caused her to sprain her ankle and nearly fall but

Jackson was quick to support her from

behind.

“Are you alright?” Jackson asked, helping her steady herself.

Candice carefully moved her ankle. She lowered her gaze and shook her head.

The commotion eventually drew Alex’s attention.

By the time he arrived, Candice had managed to calm the client down.

Alex instructed Sonia to lead the client to the reception room.

As Sonia walked past Candice, she whispered, perhaps intentionally, “Candice. I’ve noticed you’ve

been upset lately. Call me if you need to

Talk.”

Her words, though quiet, echoed in the silent office, leading everyone to speculate about Candice’s

troubles.

What could be the source of Candice’s worry lately? The recent scandalous photo of her became the

prime suspect for her distress. When that photo was brought up. Candice found herself the subject of

strange looks from her colleagues.

As the crowd gave them confidence, someone mumbled. “Like leaders, like followers. If the superior

uses underhanded tactics to get where she is, what can we expect from the rest?”

Jackson, still present, glanced disapprovingly at the speaker, then turned to Candice in concem,

“Should we head to the hospital?”

Candice was about to decline, but Jackson insisted, “You’ve just sprained your ankle. It’s better to have

it checked.”

She hesitated, asking. “How did you know about the sprain?”

in a gentle and measured tone, Jackson advised. “You shouldn’t be stubborn about this.”

Candice remained silent, but her actions, such as reaching for her bag, indicated her agreement with

him.

Alex re–entered the room at that moment and noticed Jackson assisting Candice, holding her bag in

one hand and supporting her with the

other.

He stopped, his attention drawn to Candice’s right ankle.

Candice, noticing her boss, waited impassively for him to say something.

Alex’s dark gaze locked on her, questioning. “Did you just get hurt?”

“Yes, I was pushed,” Candice replied.

Alex gave her another look, chose not to say anything more, and walked away.

Candice observed Alex leaving. Her lips tightened as she relied on Jackson’s support to head to the

hospital.

It was not until after she received treatment at the hospital that Candice realized why Alex had sought

her out earlier.

Helen had posted on social media about another Elysian family gathering that evening.

Alex, who had a strained relationship with his family, typically avoided these events, with Candice often

attending in his stead. Setting aside her phone, Candice gazed at her swollen ankle, contemplating.

Maybe Alex did think of her when he needed something.

She did not break any bones. She left the hospital after being medicated.

Jackson had stepped out to buy her a pair of comfortable flat shoes before escorting her home.

When her foot touched the earth, it throbbed with anguish.

Jackson insisted on taking her home, despite her protests.

As Jackson was leaving her place, he opened the door and accidentally ran into Alex, who was just

returning. He paused to greet him.

Alex noticed the door slightly ajar and gave a significant snort.

Jackson, sensing the tension, instinctively clarified, “Candy’s hurt.”

Alex hesitated briefly while opening the door further, then asked, “Didn’t you take her to the hospital?”

Jackson spoke calmly. “You’re being too harsh on her. You and Candice…”

He hesitated, finding it difficult to define Alex’s and Candice’s relationship.

Although Candice had been by Alex’s side for a longer period of time than any other woman, it

appeared that he had never truly acknowledged her.

Furrowed, Jackson shook his head and repeated, “Regardless, you shouldn’t be so harsh.”

Alex responded nonchalantly as he opened the door, “She’s not my girlfriend. I’m not obliged to care for

her.”

His words hung in the air as the door behind Jackson slowly closed, its creak resonating in the silent

hallway.

Candice, noticing the door ajar and thinking Jackson had left it open, went to shut it.

She was caught off guard when she overheard Alex’s statements.

Her grip loosened, and she accidentally closed the door.

Alex was right. She was never his girlfriend. There had never been any formal acknowledgment from

him, and she had never questioned it. Contemplating their relationship seemed pointless.

On the third day, Candice’s ankle pain subsided.

1200

Her recovery was timely, coinciding with the announcement of a company team–building event.

Candice reviewed the announcement, noting it was largely similar to previous plans, except

for a change in the final activity.

a word.

Kayla entered the office visibly upset, sitting down at her desk without saying a

Candice, observing this, asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s those people upstairs. We’re all secretaries, yet they act so superior!” Kayla vented, “I went to get

Mr. Elysian’s signature, but Julie and Sonia blocked me at the door and refused to let me in!”

Candice suggested, “Let them get the signature for you, then have them return it.”

“They wouldn’t.” Kayla retorted, upset. “They insisted I have to get it myself, and they won’t be

responsible for any problems.”

Even though Kayla generally kept her cool, it was clear that she had been bullied into this outburst.

Candice pondered for a moment, then decided, “I’ll go up there and get the signature for you.”

Kayla was reluctant to