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

Chapter 61

Candice maintained her professional demeanor, replying, “It’s the company’s policy, Ms. Burgess.”

Nina scoffed, then asked Alex, “Is there really such a company’s policy?”

Alex’s gaze shifted briefly between Candice and Nina. He then remarked nonchalantly, “Remember that bag you liked yesterday? I’ll take you to get it this afternoon.”

Nina pouted her lips, clearly dissatisfied with the outcome. She pressed further, ” Am I not allowed to sit in?”

Alex considered for a moment, then offered to Nina, “If you’re bored, perhaps Candice could accompany you on a shopping trip.”

Nina hastily rejected the suggestion, “Why would I want to go shopping with her?

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Her scorn was obvious in her tone.

Candice, momentarily taken aback, looked to Alex, who casually supported Nina’s preference.

“It’s your choice,” he said.

Though Nina wanted to stay, she recognized Alex’s firm stance and eventually departed without further argument.

Once she was gone, Alex turned his attention to Candice, his tone icy. “Gather the documents.”

She had previously organized the files, but Nina had added more papers to the pile, so everything was a mess now.

It took her some time to sort through the clutter and pass the documents to her

boss.

Alex grew visibly impatient. He tapped on the table and sharply criticized, “Have your skills deteriorated to this level?”

As the meeting participants started to arrive, Candice took her place beside Alex, with her materials in order.

Charles, appearing anxious, nervously rubbed his hands and addressed, “Mr. Elysian, the competition is tough. We’re in a rough spot.”

Alex’s face was devoid of emotion, and his icy tone cut through the air as he tapped the table, demanding, “Where are the market analysis reports and case studies I requested?”

Charles appeared uneasy, lacking a convincing explanation.

Alex’s demeanor grew colder, a clear indication of his rising anger.

Candice, sensing the brewing storm, silently organized documents next to him, careful not to escalate the situation.

Yet, in a moment of tension, someone accidentally bumped into Candice’s arm. As she was next to Alex who was going over some paperwork, the nudge caused the documents to shift out of order.

Alex’s mood darkened further. He gave Candice a frosty glare and barked, “Get out if you’re incapable of doing your job!”

Candice’s face drained of color, and she meekly apologized, “I’m sorry, Elysian. It was an accident.”

Mr.

His anger lingered after the meeting. No one dared to cross him for fear of the

consequences.

Charles, tailing him, tried to smooth things over with nods and submissive gestures as he escorted Alex out.

Candice, maintaining a stoic facade, followed them. She felt wronged, having been chastised publicly for a mistake that was not hers.

Alex had rarely reprimanded her for work–related issues after her internship.

Nina, who was waiting outside, saw Alex’s sullen face and cheerfully approached. She asked, “What’s wrong? Who upset you?”

Faced with her, Alex felt obligated to hold back some of his rage. He pinched his brows and muttered, “It’s nothing.”

Nina prodded further, “So, are we still shopping for that bag?”

Candice, standing in the background, could not see his face but heard him. respond in a subdued tone, “If you want to, then yes.”

Nina, evidently pleased, playfully warned, “Better prepare your credit card; I won’t be holding back,”

Her comments made Alex chuckle, lifting his mood.

Candice, trailing a few steps behind, went unnoticed by the pair.

The evening was reserved for a client meeting, so Nina had Candice drive them to a popular shopping area.

Nina excitedly proposed, “There’s this restaurant I’ve been dying to try, but never had company. Alex, how about joining me?”

Alex was on his phone and nonchalantly agreed, “Sure.”

Nina’s delight was evident in the response. She then turned to Candice with a

broad grin, saying, “Ms. Renault, would you mind waiting outside while we dine? It’s a place for couples, so it might be awkward for you.”

Alex looked up from his phone, frowned, and asked in surprise, “A couple’s restaurant?”

Nina assured him, “Yeah, any issue with that?”

He glanced briefly at Candice and gave a short nod. “Alright then.”

Candice caught the underlying frost in his glance. She perceived it as a silent. directive not to share this with Sonia. But then again, what was her relationship with Sonia to relay such information?

As Alex and Nina stepped into the restaurant, Candice found a nearby spot to have lunch.

The lack of rest the previous night, compounded with the stress of Alex’s ire, weighed heavily on her.

She ordered a meal, managing only a few bites before contemplating finding a place to relax for a while.

Candice’s phone, which had remained silent through the morning, buzzed with an incoming message.

Hanley, who had been absent since the previous night, reached out with a text. He mentioned that Jackson had been in touch with him and checked if Candice was up for a meeting, as he was currently available.

After a brief consideration, realizing that Alex and Nina likely would not require her services imminently, she welcomed the opportunity to meet with Hanley.

It turned out that Hanley was in the vicinity. He proposed that Candice wait for him at the restaurant where she was.

Candice agreed to the plan and quickly texted Jackson to express her appreciation for the connection./

Jackson’s response came promptly in the form of a voice message, his tone

to interact with him and learn about the ins and outs of the industry.”

…y

As Candice prepared to extend her thanks once more, Jackson playfully suggested that a dinner treat upon her return would be a suitable way of expressing her gratitude.

Having replied to Jackson, Candice set her phone aside just in time to notice a young man making his entrance into the restaurant.

He stood out with his height, dressed simply in a white shirt and black trousers. His attire accentuated his lean, model–like figure and gave off the air of a model.

The young man’s arrival immediately drew the attention of those in the

restaurant.

Candice averted her gaze, considering it impolite to continue staring.

To her surprise, the man surveyed the room briefly before making his way directly to her table.

Stopping before her, he introduced himself with a magnetic voice, “Hanley Baldwin.”

He lightly tapped the table and studied her with a calm expression, “You’re Candice?”

Candice was taken aback. She avoided looking directly at Hanley when he entered the restaurant, but she did get the impression that he was attractive and had an extraordinary temperament.

Now, up close, she couldn’t help but notice his striking features, particularly his alluring eyes.

A small, red mole near the corner of his right eye, reminiscent of a teardrop, lent him an air of aloofness.

Candice’s heart pounded as she returned his gaze. Instinct told her that Hanley was not someone to be messed with.