Chapter 0433
Chapter 0433
Candice felt hands grasp her waist, and the next moment she was swiftly pulled aside, narrowly avoiding a collision with Tina.
Her back slammed into Alex's warm chest, and she let out a muffled sound as she steadied herself.
Alex's voice was gentle. "Be careful."
His hand remained around Candice's waist. They were so close to each other. The warm breath between their breaths brushed against her earlobe, causing a faint tickle.
Candice shifted slightly to the side, and Alex's dark eyes flickered.
"Tina!" James followed Tina over, panting as he said, "Slow down, don't bump into people."
Tina had already passed Candice, heading straight for Jensen. Upon hearing James' words, she turned to look at Candice.
Seeing Candice's face, she first froze, then blinked and smiled widely. But soon, she blushed embarrassedly. "Sorry, Miss, I didn't mean to."
Candice didn't mind. "It's okay."
Tina tugged on Jensen's clothes and looked up at him, then at Candice. Her expression seemed conflicted, and it took her a while to gather the courage to ask, "Miss, do you know my dad?"
"Hey, aren't you from that day?" James came over and recognized Candice and Alex. He said to Jensen, "These are the people I told you about, the ones Tina accidentally bumped into while riding a bike. How do you know them?"
Upon hearing this, Tina felt guilty and stuck out her tongue. "I didn't mean to."
Jensen only had Tina as his daughter and was famous for doting on her.
After hearing what Jason said, his gaze towards Candice and Alex softened compared to before. He took Tina's hand and walked away, but said to Candice, "Since you're looking for me, let's talk slowly."
Candice raised her eyes, understanding his meaning. As she took a step to follow, she realized she was still in Alex's arms, his arm tightly around her waist. NôvelDrama.Org content.
Unable to help but frown, Candice looked at him and happened to see his stern profile. She whispered softly, "Let go."
Alex lowered his gaze, his dark pupils flickering with tiny lights. His expression relaxed, and a faint response escaped his throat. With that, his arm also loosened.
Glancing at his loosened hand, Candice didn't say anything and walked forward with Jensen.
Jensen suggested discussing slowly and drove straight to a restaurant in the city center. Tina kept looking at Candice curiously, and it took her a while to shyly ask Jensen, "Dad, can I sit next to the young lady?"
Jensen was taken aback, looking at Candice with a more scrutinizing gaze.
Candice remained composed, bearing his gaze.
Tina tugged on Jensen's hand and looked at him pitifully. "Dad, can I?"
Helpless, he could only ask Candice. "Ms. Renault, do you mind?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tina had already run to sit next to Candice. Tina was cute, and she became even more adorable when she smiled.
Candice asked her softly, "Is your wound healed?"
Tina beamed. "It's all better!"
With Tina around, Jensen couldn't remain serious, and the atmosphere at the dinner table became much milder.
Seizing the opportunity, Alex directly broached the topic and explained their intentions to Jensen.
Jensen's previously relaxed expression gradually turned solemn. "But according to the report Quentin gave me, it clearly states the reasons why Burning Star Studio and Aether Corporation are not suitable. Could that also be false?"
Alex smiled faintly. "I don't know what Mr. Howles's report is like, but I believe our authentic data is worth a look. Naturally, it includes every possible negative scenario we can consider, along with prepared countermeasures."
After he finished speaking, Candice also presented Burning Star Studio's plan, speaking sincerely. "Mr. Bruce, your reputation precedes you. Everyone in this field knows you are fair and reasonable. So, Hanley told me that he hopes you can take a look at Burning Star Studio's information and evaluate it."
The statement was well-crafted, both flattering Jensen and leveraging his reputation, making it difficult for him to refuse.
James couldn't help but glance at Candice.
After finishing the meal, all the documents were handed over to Jensen.
Although he hadn't made a decision yet, it was still some progress.
When it was time to leave, Tina looked at Candice, seeming reluctant to part. She fidgeted as if wanting to walk over to Candice's side.
Candice voluntarily walked over to Tina. From her bag, she took out a box of lemon candies and handed it to Tina. "They're lemon-flavored. Do you like them?"
Tina's face turned red again, but she still took the box of candy, crisply replying, "Thank you, Miss, I really like them!"
Hanley had given Candice the lemon candies before she left, similar to the ones before. Candice thought the taste was quite good.
Before Tina left, she added Candice on Whatsapp.
Candice watched her bouncing over to Jensen and then turned to find Alex.
James was chatting with Alex. When he saw her approaching, he smiled,."Ms. Renault, it seems like Tina really likes you."
Candice replied, "Tina is very cute."
"Tina doesn't have any siblings. We're usually busy with work and there's no one to take care of her. I saw that you two added each other on Whatsapp just now. If you have time, you can chat with her more. But if you're too busy, there's no need to force yourself."
James's tone was friendly, and Candice nodded. "I will."
Once James left, Candice felt relieved. At least there was no problem with the progress on the Burning Star Studio side.
"Why so nervous?" Alex asked her.
Candice said, "Aren't you nervous? What if Jensen also thinks Aether Corporation is not suitable after reading the materials? What will you do?"
Alex didn't answer her. He asked Sawyer, "Do we have any plans for this afternoon?"
Sawyer glanced at Candice and said, "We have a meeting with Mr. Kemp."
Candice excused herself. "I'll go back to the hotel. I won't go with you guys."
She hadn’t slept well the night before, and then that morning she had rushed over to meet Jensen, so her face wasn't very good. The events of the past two days had been chaotic, and Yvonne's matter had left her exhausted.
The image of Yvonne banging her head against the railing in the hospital still haunted Candice. She hadn’t had much reaction at the time, as she had just forced herself to hold it together.
Candice knew Yvonne well enough, and considering how obvious her flaws were that day, it was clear she was just trying to take advantage of the situation to get Candice to yield.
As for what she wanted Candice to yield, it was really hard to say.
So Candice gritted her teeth, not letting herself show any emotions, lest she give Yvonne a chance to gain more control.
Who said Yvonne was crazy? She was obviously smarter than anyone else.
But last night, every time she closed her eyes, all she had seen was Yvonne's fierce appearance.
The exhaustion on Candice's face was evident when she turned around, and the next moment, a figure stood in front of her.
Alex looked expressionless as he glanced at Sawyer. "Bring the car over. Let's head back to the hotel first."