My Mirror Image

Chapter 196

Francis appeared gentle, but his tone was extremely provocative.

Candice looked at him, and despite her calm expression, her disdain was hard to miss.

Francis seemed either oblivious or as though he didn’t care. He smiled and said, “If you have nowhere

to go now, maybe I can take you in.”

The department head had already left, leaving only Hanley’s group, Lisa, and Francis in the

meeting room.

Francis glanced at Hanley with a somewhat arrogant attitude but turned back to Candice. “You can

consider it. You can answer any time.” He paused before adding, “After all, as you know, I’ve

always admired you.”

The way he emphasized admired made the meaning ambiguous.

The coldness in Candice’s eyes deepened, and she sneered. “Your admiration is something most

people can’t afford.”

Simply running into Francis had left Candice feeling annoyed. He had been her first superior at Aether,

when Candice had been an inexperienced novice. Francis had portrayed himself as a knowledgeable

senior, helping her with various tasks several times.

Back then, Candice and Alex had both been busy, so she could not always turn to Alex for help.

Francis had helped her, and his assistance had made her think highly of him. At the time, she even

praised him to Alex.

Her good opinion of him had lasted until a certain business trip, when Francis had snuck into her

room late at night.

It had made Candice realize that his so–called kindness to newcomers really was just a superficial ploy.

The intentional and unintentional touches that Candice had not paid attention to before had suddenly

disgusted her. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Despite warning him, Francis not only failed to restrain himself but intensified his inappropriate

behavior.

Fortunately, on one occasion, Alex happened to come and pick her up, catching Francis in the act.

After that incident, he finally stopped his advances. However, from then on, he began making things

difficult for Candice, assigning her various troublesome clients under the pretext of ” building her skills.”

+15 BONOS

In reality, Candice had overheard him speaking with a department head, saying. “So what if she has a

connection with Mr. Elysian? After being played around, I doubt Mr. Elysian would still want her. She’s

just a cheap woman pretending to be high and mighty.”

Later on, Candice had unintentionally witnessed Francis using the same approach on new interns.

Some left, and some stayed, and the detalls were unclear.

Eventually, Candice was transferred to another department, and Francis was dismissed due to his

known misconduct. She thought she would never see him again in her life.

“Candice, me fancying you is a compliment.” Francis pushed up his glasses, and his face lost a

bit of its warmth.

“Mr. Moreno, is it appropriate for you to poach people in front of me?” Before Candice could speak,

Hanley spoke first. His handsome face exuded a cold demeanor, and the aggression in his eyes

was quite strong.

Francis, hiding behind his glasses, glanced at Hanley, then looked at Candice, a malicious smile

playing on his lips.

Candice hated his demeanor. It was nauseating.

She stood up and asked Hanley, “Do you have any more matters to attend to later?”

Hanley understood that she did not want to stay any longer and also stood up. “When I get back, I

need to check on some documents.”

He would not easily let go of this opportunity. The collaboration was crucial for him.

Hanley’s gaze darkened. Once outside the meeting room, he asked Candice, “Do you have

something else to do later?”

Candice wanted to see Yvonne off. If Yvonne stayed in Dorrington for another day, there was no

knowing what trouble she might cause.

“I’ll be taking my mom back to Noxville later.”

Hanley nodded, then extended his hand towards her. “Give me the car keys.”

Candice was momentarily stunned. Hanley glanced at her wrist and said calmly. “You should rest,

since your injury is so severe.”

Feeling a bit uneasy, Candice involuntarily pulled back her hand. Hanley had noticed her injured

hand when she arrived.

a was the

She lowered her gaze. only one who had discovered her injury.

+15 BONOS

Hanley took charge of driving for Candice, handing his car keys to Ryan. Nadia approached, looking at

Candice with a hesitant expression, as if wanting to say something but holding back.

Candice paused. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just curious if you have some conflict with Mr. Moreno.” Nadia scratched her head. “It

seems like the first time I’ve seen you dislike someone so much.”

Candice’s expression changed. “Francis Moreno used to work at Aether.”

Nadia blinked, about to say something, but was called away by Ryan. They had walked quite a

distance, when Candice heard Ryan’s voice. “Why are you being so nosy?”

“I’m not being nosy, just curious…”

Candice knew that her attitude towards Francis had been sharp, and his words intriguing to bystanders.

As they drove, she had been waiting for Hanley to speak, but by the time they reached Yvonne’s

hotel, Hanley still had not said anything.

“What’s wrong?” After the car stopped, Hanley suddenly turned around, looking at Candice.” You’ve

been staring at me. Is there something on my face?”

Hanley leaned in suddenly, catching Candice off guard. She subtly distanced herself. “No.”

“What are you thinking about then?” Hanley pressed.

“Aren’t you curious about the situation between me and Francis Moreno?” Francis‘ words in the

meeting room had been cryptic and had piqued the curiosity of even Nadia.

Hanley raised an eyebrow. “What’s there to be curious about? He doesn’t seem like a good person.

Candice did not expect Hanley to say this. “How could you tell?”

Hanley remained silent, glanced outside, and said in a slightly serious tone. “I’m going to buy

something.”

With that, he left the car.

It was pouring cats and dogs in Dorrington.

Candice stayed in the car for a while before getting out and going into the hotel. She forcefully

brought Yvonne out.

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Yvonne’s expression was not good, but Candice told her. “If you don’t return to Noxville now, don’t

expect a single penny from me.” Yvonne was persistent, but Candice could use the threat to keep her

at bay.

As soon as Yvonne heard this, the resistance on her face immediately lessened, and she looked at

Candice timidly.

Hanley had already returned with the purchased items. Seeing Yvonne, he did not say much and just

handed a box to Candice. “Pain–relief ointment, just bought it. Put some on now,”

Due to the rain, Candice could only buy the nearest high–speed train ticket for Yvonne to return to

Noxville. Afraid that Yvonne might refuse to leave, she even bought an extra ticket. She escorted

Yvonne through security and watched her board the high–speed train before feeling sure the matter

was settled.

When Candice came out, Hanley was waiting for her outside.

Seeing the fatigue on her face, he said softly, “Have you had lunch?”

He knew Candice had rushed over from the hospital. The time had been tight.

After a brief thought, he suggested, “Let me take you to a place for lunch. You should like it.” Before

she could reply, Candice’s phone let out a message notification.