My Mirror Image

Chapter 39

Alex hesitated before raising his hand, giving Marc a cool glance. He snatched up the glass of wine

that the waiter had just handed him and said, “I don’t know,”

Marc murmured in slight disappointment. “I see….

Sieg, enjoying the scene, elbowed Marc and teased, “I didn’t realize you were so ambitious.”

Marc confessed. “It’s the pressure from my family for blind dates.”

Candice, who was accompanying Jackson to see his aunt, was oblivious to their conversation.

Jackson’s aunt, Nydia Griffith, in her forties, maintained her youthful appearance gracefully, thanks to

her background as a dancer.

She sized up Candice openly, then proceeded to question Jackson with a kind smile, “Aren’t you going

to introduce her?”

Jackson cleared his throat and uttered. “This is Candice.”

Nydia, unimpressed, inquired, “I recognize Ms. Renault, but isn’t she close to Mr. Elysian of Aether

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Her attention returned to Candice as she asked, with obvious curiosity in her voice. “Ms. Renault, did

you come here with Mr. Elysian?”

Candice denied, “No.”

She offered Nydia a gift, clarifying. “I’m here as Jackson’s friend: this is for your birthday.”

Nydia was well–educated and was aloof in her disposition.

There had been a photo of Candice and Humphrey going around in the elite social circle recently, and

Nydia had seen it.

Rumors had been circulating among the upper–class women in their social circle, saying that Candice

was reaching above her station

with Alex.

Nydia, who was already disdainful of Candice’s origins, looked down on her even more.

She disregarded the present from Candice, haughtily instructing. “Just put it there.”

Jackson, observing Nydia’s dismissive behavior, objected, “Aunt Nydia, Candice came for your

birthday.”

Nydia gave Jackson a warning look and subtly reminded him, “Jake, your parents will arrive soon.”

It was obvious that she preferred Jackson to keep his distance from Candice.

Candice pursed her lips, placed the gift down, and informed Jackson, “I should leave then.”

“Candy!” Jackson impulsively seized her wrist, his expression apologetic, offering, “Walt for me, I’ll take

you home in a bit.”

Alex and Sieg had stopped by to toast Nydia. Nydia was an elder to them, despite their diverse fields of

work.

They saw Jackson holding Candice, promising to take her home.

Sleg taunted her with a fake grin, “After getting dumped by Alex, you’re moving on to Jackson?”

Alex passed by without stopping, casting a side glance at Candice’s wrist in Jackson’s grasp.

The party, attended by the influential Griffith circle, required the younger generation, including Alex and

Sieg, to socialize extensively and

drink.

Candice watched from a sofa in the comer as Alex deftly navigated the social scene.

Previously, she would have been by his side, encouraging him to cut down on his alcohol consumption.

Now, his outings were rarely disclosed to her. And Sonia was frequently with him.

Yet, curiously, Sonia was absent that evening.

Sitting alone in the corner, Candice went largely unnoticed by the attendees, with only Jackson and

Marc occasionally engaging with her.

She did not have much of an impression of Marc, but she politely provided her number when he

approached to ask.

As the event concluded, Jackson approached with a coat, thoughtfully advising, “it’s breezy outside; be

careful not to catch a cold.”

As Candice was just wearing a dress, she gladly accepted the coat.

She donned the coat and followed Jackson toward the exit.

Approaching the hotel’s entrance, she noticed Alex seated on a couch, pinching the bridge of his nose,

his expression slightly dark.

Candice realized that without someone to help, he would have had too much to drink.

“Candy,” Jackson beckoned from ahead, his tone soft and kind, “Stay here; I’ll bring the car,”

“Okay,” she agreed, pulling the coat over hersell.

The hotel’s door was opened, allowing the cold wind from outside to enter.

As Jackson left to fetch the car. Candice was about to step aside to wall.

Then she saw Alex, who had been resting his eyes, suddenly open them.

His eyes, reddened from alcohol held a deep and meaningful expression, fixed on Candice.

She slightly knitted her brows.

Alex, with a commanding tone, requested, “Candice, take me home.”

Candice stood still momentarily, glancing around, noticing the absence of Sieg or any of Alex’s other

friends.

His impatience mounted as he received no reaction from her. His face sank a little more as he locked

his gaze on Candice.

Candice averted her eyes and spoke clearly enough for Alex to hear, “I didn’t come in my car, ask Sieg

to drive you.”

He stared at her intently, gave her a sarcastic grin, and asked. “Have you hooked up with Jackson?”

“It’s none of your business.”

Candice stared at her shoes, hesitating before adding, “Jackson and I are merely friends.”

Whether or not Alex accepted her explanation was unclear. He closed his eyes again and said no

more.

Candice moved her lips, but she quickly stifled the words that had almost escaped her mouth. She was

unable to give Alex a ride home.

He was intoxicated. While it might appear to be okay now, once he sobered up, he might accuse her of

doing it on purpose.

Soon, Jackson’s car arrived. Candice cast one last glance at Alex and left.

Jackson inquired, “Hasn’t Alex left?”

“He’s waiting for someone,” Candice replied, her expression indifferent.

Jackson stopped asking further and drove her home.

Upon arrival, he presented Candice with a small box, explaining, “I crafted this as a hobby: consider it a

thank you for tonight.” Inside the box was a ceramic figurine, which looked lifelike and animated.

Candice was surprised to learn that Jackson possessed such a talent. She held onto the box before

setting it on her desk. She was wearing heavy makeup today and had to spend over an hour in the

bathroom to remove it.

Stepping out, she found Alex lounging on her living room sofa. She stopped abruptly.

Her home was secured with a keypad lock, and Alex knew the combination.

She stopped combing her hair, standing still.

Alex, still reeking faintly of alcohol, looked up at Candice. The tone in his voice was unusual as he

commanded. “Come here, Candy.”

Candice’s brow furrowed, questioning. “Should I call Sonia?”

Alex kept his intense stare on her, silent for an extended period.

Eventually, he unbuttoned his shirt collar and asked in a low voice, “What does Jackson find attractive

about you?”

Candice remained quiet, responding. “You’re drunk.”

“You haven’t answered. What does Jackson see in you?” Alex’s gaze narrowed, assessing Candice as

if she were a product.

Taking a deep breath, Candice, unwilling to engage further, approached to assist Alex, suggesting. “Let

me take you home.”

As she reached for his arm. Alex swiftly grasped her wrist.

He bowed his head, resting it on Candice’s shoulder, and murmured in a deep voice, “Candice.”