A glint of expectation flickered deep in his eyes.Edward let out a sigh, reached out and ruffled Ollie’s already disheveled hair. “Kid, you’ve been wrecked by puberty. Don’t be so hostile toward your brother—it’s not easy for him either.”“If you’re not going to compete, then drop it,” Ollie said coldly, swatting his hand away and walking toward the lake.Denny, already frowning, now seemed even more troubled.The sun was setting.Candice finally finished negotiating with Charlie. The two each took a step back: one agreed not to speak out, and the other agreed to have a heart-to-heart after dinner.The outdoor table was already set with a lavish dinner. Marlene had just returned and was now ushering everyone to eat.Candice chose a seat with mostly vegetables in front of her.“Sit here! There’s meat you like!” Marlene warmly tried to move her.
Candice was utterly devastated.This wasn’t a test anymore—it was a blatant threat.Sophia and Bianca listened to their cryptic exchange, watching Candice’s gloomy expression.They were completely lost.What kind of strange riddle was this?Slippers? Meat? What even...Nicole came running over with another pair of slippers, drenched in sweat.“Good thing I have long legs. If I had short ones, I’d be dead by now.”Bianca, who wasn’t short but still looked petite next to all these tall people: “…”She glanced at Nicole’s manga-proportioned legs, then looked at her own shapely but shorter legs...Ouch. That stung.Nicole didn’t realize she’d just unintentionally stabbed at Miss Wright’s heart. She simply placed the slippers by Candice’s feet.“Sis-in-law, here you go.”“Thanks.”
“Candice?”Nicole looked at her sister-in-law, who had suddenly frozen like someone had pressed pause. Confused, she blinked.Did I say something wrong?Charlie’s gaze rested on Candice, a strange glint flickering behind his eyes.He pulled her gently into his side. “What’s wrong? Don’t like meat anymore? Is it a sore throat… or is it that you feel like throwing up?”Candice: “...!”No matter how good she was at pretending, her body had a mind of its own. Her nerves flared, and tension slowly climbed from her neck to her shoulders.Charlie’s eyes lowered slightly, calm yet unfathomably deep.Candice’s breath hitched. Her thoughts scattered.Just then, a car rolled to a stop nearby.“Who’s that?”Candice quickly turned around—using the distraction as an escape from his probing question.Charlie narrowed hi
Candice’s heart skipped a beat.When you’re hiding something, even the lightest breeze can sound like thunder in your ears.She kept her tone calm as she gently pulled his hand away. “It’s working hours. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to nap in your lounge. You go rest. I’ll get back to work.”With that, she quickly turned and walked off.But the sharpness of the gaze on her back was unmistakable—so intense that even without looking, she felt it.Could it be…Had he figured something out?Once outside the office, she couldn’t help mentally replaying every word they had exchanged.The topic of pregnancy had been brought up a few times recently. And even though she had her period as a cover right now, what if he still suspected something?Her thoughts churned as she slowly walked back toward her own office. Just then, Jerry came out of the restroom and happene
They locked eyes in silence.No words.No movement.The air between them seemed to freeze.Rex stared in utter confusion.What’s going on with Young Master and Candice now? Why did they suddenly stop talking again?Just then, Jim walked out from the kitchen.Sensing the strange tension in the room, he played it casual. “Why are you both up so early today? I haven’t even finished making breakfast yet.”Then he turned to Candice, his tone kind and fatherly. “Candice, how are you feeling? Hungry? I can whip up a bowl of plain noodle soup for you—just something light.”Candice quickly shifted her gaze to him, quietly letting out a breath of relief.“I was just about to ask if I could get something to eat. I love noodle soup—extra veggies, please.”“No problem. I’ll get right on it,” Jim smiled, then bustled back into the kitchen.
Kyle was furious after hearing this.“...You still want to stay? Wake up! Charlie and I are essentially the same. Don’t put him on a pedestal. Mrs. Clemens isn’t much more generous than my mother!”Candice felt a headache coming on as he ranted.She hung up the phone and sent him a message: Don’t forget tomorrow morning.Kyle, enraged, threw his phone onto the desk.Leaning back in his chair, he irritably loosened his tie, a heavy cloud of frustration visible on his face.Early the next morning.Candice woke up at five.She had pretended to be asleep last night, but in the end, she actually fell asleep. She vaguely remembered Charlie coming into the room once… but in fact, he came in and out of the room several times throughout the night.She put on her loungewear and stepped out of the room.She saw Jim in the kitchen, but Jerry hadn’t arrived yet. Everything was quiet.