My Mirror Image

Chapter 86

Candice tensed up as she raised her eyes to meet Alex’s. Suppressing her unease, she said, “He’s a

friend.”

Alex, on the other hand, averted his gaze.

“Is that so?” he asked casually. His skeptical tone was unmistakable.

Subconsciously, she did not wish for Hanley to be wrongfully criticized, yet she sensed it was useless

to debate with Alex.

Candice remained calm and suppressed her impatience.

“The contract is completed,” she said, balling her fist. “I’ll send you the necessary documentation. Is it

okay for me to leave now?”

Alex observed her closely, a hint of mockery in his eyes, as if attempting to peer into her soul. He

regained his calm in an instant and stated flatly, “No.”

Candice frowned. It seemed to her that he was intentionally making things difficult for her.

Her face tumed frosty as she spoke plainly. “I haven’t used any of my annual leaves. I’m entitled to that,

correct?”

With a cold sneer, Alex said, “Abandoning your boss in the middle of a business trip and going off on

your

own. Candice, I’m amazed by your professionalism.”

Candice was at a loss for words.

After a brief silence, she inquired, “Should we return to the hotel now?”

Alex glanced at his phone and responded, “First, accompany me somewhere else.”

Candice assumed he was leading her to a business-related location.

Surprisingly, he took her to a golf course.

The caddy who came to greet them stated respectfully, “Mr. Frowler is awaiting you.”

Frowning, Candice inquired, “Did Sieg request your presence?”

She was filled with discomfort.

Noted for being a playboy in the elite social circles and for being unscrupulous, Sieg probably invited

Alex here

to have fun.

Candice, anticipating mockery and degradation on such an occasion, hesitated and objected.

‘I shouldn’t accompany you to meet Sieg.”

Alex looked back, questioning. “Then who should?”

‘I can give Sonia a call.”

+15 BONOS

But before she could elaborate, Alex dismissed the idea with indifference. “She isn’t as sociable as

you.”

Pursing her lip, Candice understood that being called “sociable” was not entirely flattering.

She followed Alex inside and realized why he had brought her.

There were around five or six other people there besides Sieg. There was an almost sexual air to the

way men and women interacted with one another.

She could tell they were not ordinary people based on their attire.

Candice grasped that Alex’s concern was Sonia being negatively influenced in this setting.

Upon seeing Alex, Sieg approached with a woman by his side, surprised to see Candice and

questioned, “Why bring her?”

Alex replied coolly, “She’s with me; we’ve just finalized a contract.”

Sieg, unbothered, shrugged nonchalantly.

He then turned to others nearby, whispering, “They belong to Stugan’s elite group, here to mingle and

network.

okay?”

Alex, of course, would not reject them because they were already present.

Someone asked them to walk over there to play golf.

Sieg, casually draping an arm around Alex, approached the group.

Candice was not particularly interested in golf. Although she had visited golf courses often for work, her

practical experience was minimal.

Her limited golf skills were acquired from Alex.

Previously, she had to engage a major client who was an avid golfer. Candice frequently enticed Alex

to the golf course to approach the client.

Sadly, her sports abilities were lacking. Despite numerous lessons from Alex, she managed just the

basic

swing. Her scores were more like a stroke of luck.

Those rich kids always found ways to enjoy themselves, and so when a bet was proposed during the

game.

everyone was in.

Sieg, grinning, asked, “What shall we wager?”

Someone suggested, “Money?” Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

This was quickly refuted. “Lame!”

“How about the loser running a circle in the nude?” suggested playfully the beauty Sieg had just

embraced.” That would be entertaining.”

She meant it as a joke, but the group unanimously agreed that it was a fantastic idea.

+15 BONOS

Candice, shadowing Alex, tried to blend into the background, putting on an act of ignorance.

Despite her efforts to remain unnoticed, someone stopped to talk with her.

A woman in a pink mini-skirt approached her, inquiring softly, “Are you new here, or are you

with someone? I’ve never seen the man you’re with before. Is he acquainted with Mr. Castillo and the

others?

Realizing that this woman might be a “caddy”, Candice frowned.

The woman, noticing Candice’s silence, expressed dissatisfaction and said, “Hey, I’m speaking to you

The woman’s perfume was overpowering.

Candice took a step back and prepared to respond, pausing as laughter erupted nearby.

As she averted her sight, she noticed a young man in spectacles giving Alex a business card and

uttered. “Mr.

Elysian, it’s an honor to have you join us. I’m Stan Castillo. Let’s get to know each other.”

Alex accepted the card with a polite nod and an air of superiority.

Candice instinctively moved forward to take it.

Stan seemed surprised to see Candice, then glanced at Alex with a meaningful look and said, “Mr.

Elysian is a

lucky man.”

Feeling uneasy under Stan’s stare, Candice retreated to stand behind Alex, peering down.

Alex calmly stated, “I thought we were here to play golf?”

Stan shifted his attention from Candice and replied, “Yes, that’s our purpose here.”

Alex indicated his readiness. “Then let’s begin.”

“Hold on,” Stan said, raising his eyebrows. “I assumed Mr. Elysian didn’t bring a lady companion, so I

didn’t

bring it up.”

Candice’s heart thumped furiously as she heard the words “lady companion”, sensing something

unpleasant.

Sure enough, Stan suggested, “Golf alone is dull, and it’s less thrilling with just men. How about letting

the

women participate? The rule is simple-form teams of two, with the woman taking the swing. The team

shares

the outcome of the game.”

Stan looked at Alex and asked, “What are your thoughts, Mr. Elysian?”

Candice maintained a neutral face behind Alex, saying, “Sorry, I don’t play golf.”

“You don’t need to know how; Mr. Elysian can guide you. I only said you must be the one to swing.”

Candice got the point. This was supposed to be fun, but she wondered what kind of

amusement it could be with Alex.

She glanced at Alex, expecting him to decline.

+15 BONOS

To her surprise, after pondering, he accepted, “Alright, let’s do it.”

Candice was taken aback.

Alex faced her, a slight crease on his brow, his voice steady as ever. “Why are you just standing there?”

Her reluctance was evident, but then she heard him chuckle softly and murmur, “Stan’s dad heads

Suave

Corporation. Why do you think I agreed to this silly game?”

Rummaging through her memories, she remembered Suave Corporation as a notable private company

in

Stugan.

Realizing Alex’s motive to network with Stan, she blinked in understanding.

Others urged them to begin.

Alex, still calm but with a faintly raised brow, gently urged, “Come here.” Candice walked over

hesitantly.