Chapter 0546
Chapter 0546
Oscar's voice cut through sharply, "Ms. Renault, see? I told you Mr. Elysian holds deep affection for you."
Candice's heart skipped a beat. It had been a while since she had a sip of water, and her dry lips felt extremely uncomfortable. Sweat matted her hair to her cheeks, and the rooftop wind tousled it even more.
She looked at Alex, subconsciously shaking her head. She wanted to tell Alex not to bother, but Oscar's hand was already gripping her neck from behind. His palm was cold like a snake’s skin, tightly coiling around her.
She still couldn't speak.
"Oscar!" Alex, usually as steady as a rock, cracked under the pressure. He fixed his gaze fiercely on Oscar and Candice while clenching his teeth. "I told you, I'll agree to anything you want!"
"Anything?" Oscar chuckled lightly, and then his gaze sharpened. "Do you agree to give me shares of Aether Corporation? I want all the shares you hold in Aether Corporation, and I want you out of the company. Will you comply?"
Oscar’s gaze was frozen on Alex, and his heart was filled with resentment.
Why? Why did everything favor Alex? Why was he so highly esteemed by everyone while he himself had to lurk in the shadows like a rat?
Jovita said that it would be fine as long as Daniel had them in his heart. But what was the result? Jovita committed suicide for his worthless affection, and he was forever relegated to the status of an illegitimate child.
Why?
Especially after he finally made it into Aether Corporation, every encounter with Alex left him having to swallow his pride.
The reason was simply that everyone knew Alex was the rightful heir of Aether Corporation, while Oscar was nothing but a disgraceful illegitimate child. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
So no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape from this label.
He started from the bottom in Aether Corporation, and he had endured the times when he was looked down upon and humiliated. Oftentimes, he couldn't help but sneak a peek at Alex's office.
How ridiculous.
They shared the same blood and both started from the bottom, yet Alex started as a department manager, while he was just tasked with drinking and laughing during social events.
Even when he had finally proved himself and stood before Daniel, all people saw was his identity as Daniel's son, not his own efforts.
Even though Alex was also Daniel's son, he became that pitiful yet outstanding individual because he was oppressed.
They said Alex was indeed Daniel's son and praised his tactics and courage.
But whenever Oscar's name came up, there was only mockery and disdain.
They said he was a bastard elevated by his father's favoritism, and that he had nothing but his cunningness and schemes.
Oscar's resentment grew stronger. He stared at Alex, his eyes almost unable to conceal his hatred and bitterness. "Answer me! Will you give me all the shares of Aether Corporation? Are you willing
to do that?"
His emotions flared, and he tightened his grip on Candice's neck. Candice couldn’t hold back her tears and could only cough uncontrollably.
"Fine!” Alex closed his eyes, his voice hoarse. "All the shares of Aether Corporation are yours! Can you let her go now?"
He made the decision almost without hesitation. Candice looked at him, struggling to speak. "Are you out of your mind?"
Alex didn't look at her; instead, he asked Oscar, "Are you satisfied now?"
Oscar narrowed his eyes, the mockery on his face growing. "You're not like Daniel in this aspect; at least you can say it out loud. But talk is cheap. Here’s the share transfer agreement. Sign it."
He looked to the side, where a contract lay.
Alex asked in a low voice, "If I sign it, will you let her go?"
Oscar looked at him with interest, then turned to Candice. "He's willing to do this for you. Aren’t you touched?"
With her neck still in Oscar's grip, Candice didn't know what to say as she was forced to face Alex.
Alex's swift agreement to transfer the shares to Oscar had stirred up a huge wave in her heart. And now, looking at Alex again, she realized just how disheveled he truly was.
His clothes were wrinkled, his complexion haggard—his look was a far cry from the usual Alex.
Candice could hardly speak, and she felt a sense of powerlessness overwhelming her. Tears welling up, she was unsure if she was crying because of Alex or out of fear.
Her tears made Alex even more flustered. He seemed at a loss, his voice hoarse as he tried to comfort her. "Don't cry. Don't be afraid. He won't hurt you."
Candice knew she shouldn't cry at this moment, so she bit her lip tightly to suppress her choking sobs.
But the tears in her eyes streamed down her cheeks stubbornly.
After a night of fright and the current unknown danger, Candice was reaching her limit despite her psychological resilience.
She could hear Alex's words of comfort, but precisely because of that, her tears flowed even more uncontrollably.
She could only shake her head repeatedly as she tried to tell Alex that she was fine.
Oscar looked on coldly and couldn’t help but sneer, "Mr. Elysian, what's with the delay? I said that as long as you sign the contract, I won't do anything to Ms. Renault."
"No, you can't..." Candice struggled to speak, but as soon as she opened her mouth, it felt like knives were cutting into her throat.
They both knew what signing that contract meant. Candice couldn’t imagine the outcome if Alex gave up his shares because of her.
"Ms. Renault, it's best not to speak at times like this," Oscar warned coldly.
Alex's dark eyes were stern. "Oscar, you’d better keep your word."
"You can choose not to trust me," Oscar retorted.
Alex glanced at Candice again. Without another word, he picked up the contract and signed his name on it without even checking it.
He set down the signed contract, his voice commanding as he thundered, "Are you happy now?"
Oscar looked at his swift action, the mockery in his eyes heavy.
He thought of Daniel again. Alex and Daniel didn't look alike at all, but they exuded the same aura of refinement that was cultivated over the years.
However, Daniel's refinement was more like a badge of honor, something he refused to relinquish to anyone. As for Alex...
Oscar glanced meaningfully at the contract, then smiled. "Mr. Elysian, I truly admire the feelings you have for Ms. Renault. But since that's the case, allow me to make one more modest request, one I'm sure you won't refuse."
The smile faded slowly from his face. He looked at Alex and enunciated, "I want you to kneel before me."