My Mirror Image

Chapter 179

+15 BONOS

Candice was about to discuss a project with Hanley when Nadia’s uncontrollable laughter Interrupted

them.

Nadia was struggling to suppress her giggles. She remarked. “You’re one of a kind. Candice. I bet

you’re the first woman to ever speak to my boss like that.”

“Is there something wrong?” Candice asked hesitantly.

“No, no, not at all. It just sounded like you were putting him in the friend zone,” Nadia replied, still

chuckling.

Candice chose not to respond, ignoring the joke.

Hanley was typically reserved and also didn’t respond to Nadia’s jesting.

“I have some blueprints to finish,” he stated as he gave Candice a bottle of water from the table. If you

find them too loud and want to read quietly, there are books in the study.”

Candice stood up and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you? I recall you mentioning that you

required help organizing some materials.” She took the water bottle from Hanley and said gently.” I’ve

been sidetracked from work recently. Let me help with whatever you need.”

Nadia and Ryan exchanged knowing looks and laughed, “No need for help, we just wanted your

company.”

Yet, when Nadia finished, Hanley chimed in. “Actually, there are quite a few materials in the study.”

Candice nodded and proceeded to the study.

Nadia’s expression turned sour as soon as Candice walked away.

“Boss, how could you not see that Candice is upset?” She asked, her face a mix of frustration and

anxiety. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Help me with the framing project we began earlier,” Hanley directed Ryan.

He dismissed Nadia’s anxiety and left her to grumble.

Candice discovered a mound of materials in the study. After failing to function well for several days, it

took her some time to get back into the swing of things.

The door was ajar, and she could hear Nadia and the others chatting outside.

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Surprisingly, the strain she had been carrying for days dissipated in the setting. The sounds from

outside went away as she became drowsy, and fell asleep.

Candice had a deep slumber–a rare dreamless sleep.

It was late at night when she awoke. Voices could still be heard coming from the living room.

Her arm felt numb from being underneath her. As she moved, a blanket slipped from her shoulder.

leaving her momentarily disoriented.

After pausing in the study, Candice ventured into the living room. Along with Nadia, Ryan, and

Hanley, there were a few familiar faces from Stugan.

They appeared to be discussing something, sitting casually together and chatting in hushed tones.

Nadia spotted Candice first and asked, “You’re up?”

Initially, Hanely, with his back to her, turned around at Nadia’s remark.

Standing. Candice forced Hanley to look up from his position. His casual, unbuttoned work clothes.

added to his relaxed demeanor.

Candice asked, “Are you still in a meeting?”

Hanley wondered, “Did we wake you?”

Despite her evident fatigue from several restless days, Candice shook her head.

Hanley took a glance at her and decided, “Let’s call it a night.”

It was already 3.30 a.m. Some were too exhausted to stay awake and took advantage of the

opportunity to leave.

Nadia gestured towards the stairs and said, “Our room is the second one upstairs. You’ll be sleeping

with me tonight.”

Candice clutched a blanket in her hand and remained stationary. “I planned to help out but ended

up dozing off.”

“There was no rush,” Hanley said.

Candice realized Hanley’s reason for allowing her to sort through the documents.

Even Nadia had noticed her distressed state, yet Hanley had consented readily. It seemed to be his

way of helping her divert her attention and maybe find some relaxation.

Candice looked at Hanley with genuine gratitude. “Hanley, I truly appreciate your help,”

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Hanley’s expression became slightly rigid, and he frowned subtly. “There’s no need for formalities

with me.”

Feeling refreshed from her deep sleep, Candice quipped, “Does it bother you that I’m friend zoning

you?

Hanley’s brows arched a bit as he noted, “Being friend–zoned isn’t exactly flattering.”

After using the spare toiletries available downstairs, Candice headed to her room upstair

In the guest room, a large bed awaited her.

Nadia had already fallen asleep and had thoughtfully left an extra blanket for Candice.

Exhausted, Candice quickly succumbed to sleep again.

The sound of her phone ringing woke her from her deep sleep.

She looked around to find Nadia had left the room, and daylight was visible through the slightly ajar

window.

The phone continued to ring. Candice answered the call.

She heard a middle–aged man’s voice, asking. “Is this Ms. Renault? We’re from a moving. company.

Do you want to keep your furniture?”

Instantly realizing Helen’s involvement, Candice’s face grew cold. Her grandparents‘ belongings. were

at her house. She had purposely brought them back from the nursing home for safekeeping.

She firmly stated, “You’re committing robbery and theft by moving my things without my consent.”

“Please don’t make things difficult for us. We’re just doing our job,” the man on the phone replied. Why

don’t you come over now and pick what you require? We haven’t touched anything.”

Downstairs, Candice found Hanley alone, engrossed in his tablet.

She approached him, saying softly, “Hanley, I have to step out for a while.”

Hanley looked up and acknowledged her with a hum. “Where are you headed?”

Candice explained, “Mrs. Elysian has sent movers to my house. There are important things I need.

to retrieve.”

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“The Elysians really do things in a grand way.” Hanley said, clicking his tongue.

His tone was obviously mocking.

Candice remained silent. She supposed that Alex probably approved of this audacious move.

After all, Alex was a reserved person. He rarely included his parents in his personal life, let alone

concerns with matters like property. However, she wondered why Alex was so eager to distance.

himself from her.

The movers were waiting outside the apartment when Hanley and Candice arrived. When they saw

Candice, they opened the door for her.

“Ms. Renault, please identify what you wish to keep. We haven’t disturbed anything yet,” they informed

her, glancing at the time. “But we must wrap up here by 2 p.m. for the new tenants.”

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