My Mirror Image

Chapter 142

The property management acted swiftly. Within ten minutes, they had managed to open the elevator

doors.

“Apologies to both of you. This elevator was supposed to undergo maintenance at noon, and due to our

oversight, it has inconvenienced you,” the property manager sincerely apologized,

Candice lightly acknowledged him and swiftly stepped out of the elevator,

The place she had agreed to meet Hanley was a barbecue restaurant.

She arrived twenty minutes late, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I encountered some unexpected

issues

on the way, hence the delay.”

Hanley remained in his simple attire, a white shirt paired with jeans, looking clean and neat.

He nodded. “Let’s go in. They’re all waiting in the private room.”

Candice always found it comfortable to be around Hanley because he was naturally straightforward in

his

speech and actions, never giving off an air of deliberate falseness.

She relaxed her brow and followed him into the private room only to hear Nadia’s cheerful voice as

soon as

she entered.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“Candice, long time no see! Have a happy weekend! I brought you a gift! It’s from the big boss.”

Candice raised an eyebrow in surprise at Nadia referring to Hanley as the big boss.

She glanced at Hanley, who remained composed as he calmly said, “They insisted on touring the

tourist spots

in Noxville, and in the end, I footed the bill.”

With just that sentence, Candice understood what he meant.

She smiled and copied Nadia’s playful tone. “Thank you for the gift, big boss.”

When Hanley heard her address him like that, his eyebrows slightly moved, seeming quite surprised.

His studio had a great atmosphere, with everyone having a cheerful disposition. Candice had spent

enough

time with them to feel familiar.

Initially, they discussed plans for activities in Dorrington City, but they gradually shifted their focus to

some exhibition planning.

Some professional jargon went over Candice’s head, and Nadia was there to explain beside her.

Later on, Nadia couldn’t help but ask her, “Candice, aren’t you working at Aether Corporation? Why are

you suddenly interested in our line of work?”

Candice remained composed. “Just thinking of trying out a new job.”

Nadia was momentarily stunned, then grabbed a cup of Juice from the table and clinked it against

Candice’s. ” You’re so cool! I salute you!”

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Meanwhile, Hanley, who was conversing with Ryan, heard the commotion and paused to ask Candice,

“Are

you considering a career change?”

“I thought you knew from the start.” Candice responded.

He lowered his gaze, lightly chuckled, and then replaced the drink in front of her with a glass of juice,

saying.”

Do what you want to do.”

The dinner was delightful, and Nadia continuously shared amusing stories from their time in Noxville.

It was only when Ryan came to take her away that she reluctantly left.

“Where do you live? If it’s far, I can drop you off.” The people from the studio walked ahead in groups,

leaving only Candice and Hanley.

Candice shook her head. “I drove here, and it’s not far.”

She knew he was being polite, so she didn’t refuse.

“Is it true that you want to change jobs?”

They coincidentally reached a spot illuminated by a street lamp.

She looked at the musical fountain ahead and nodded. “I’m looking for a new challenge.”

“Very brave.” That was Hanley’s assessment of her.

She burst into laughter suddenly. “You and Jackson truly are brothers. You speak so similarly.”

She was naturally beautiful but usually maintained the dignified air of Aether Corporation’s chief

secretary.

However, now, with her laughter and the gentle, beautiful illumination from the streetlamp, her entire

face appeared gentle and beautiful.

Hanley’s eyes flickered slightly, and he cleared his throat, making a low, affirmative sound.

This scene actually looked quite beautiful.

A refined and handsome man gazed down at a woman with a bright smile, the streetlamp shining

gently overhead.

However, suddenly, a surprised voice interrupted them. “Hanley? When did you come back?”

Both Hanley and Candice paused.

Candice looked up to see a young woman gazing at them curiously.

Hanley stared at the woman for a moment. “What are you doing here?”

Yana smiled. “My family arranged a dinner. I just saw your back and hesitated to say hello, didn’t

expect it was truly you.”

Hanley’s attitude wasn’t particularly warm. He nodded. “I came back for something.”

After saying that he looked at Candice. “I’ll take you there.”

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+15 BONOS

“Hmm? Is she your girlfriend?” Yana looked at Candice, sizing her up. Suddenly, she said, “Why do I

feel like I’ve seen you somewhere?”

Candice didn’t like being scrutinized. She responded, “Perhaps because I have a common face.”

However, Yana furrowed her brow, still staring at Candice. “I’m certain I’ve seen you before.”

Just as she was speaking, she suddenly heard a deep voice from behind, “Ms. Landor.”

Yana turned around, and the scrutiny she had placed on Candice dispersed instantly. She looked at the

newcomer cheerfully. “Mr. Elysian, I ran into a friend.”

Candice had been keeping her head low but lifted it at this, seeing Alex standing in front of Yana,

seemingly indifferent to her conversation.

In that instant, as Candice glanced at Alex, his gaze shifted to her as well.

Their eyes met briefly. Her eyes flickered for a moment before she averted her gaze.

Then she heard Alex ask Yana, “Your friend?”

“Yes, Hanley is a friend I’d known since childhood. We used to live in the same compound.” Yana

answered.

Candice hadn’t expected such a coincidence. Not only did she encounter Hanley’s friend but also ran

into Alex here.

However, recalling what Yana had mentioned about a family–arranged dinner, Candice could guess–it

was probably her whom Helen had mentioned earlier, the one Alex had to meet.

She murmured softly to Hanley. “I’ll head off first.”

But as she moved to leave, unexpectedly, Alex spoke up. “Since he’s your friend, why don’t we all hang

out for a while?”

Yana was momentarily stunned before she reacted. She was coerced by her family to come for dinner

in the first place. Although she did find Alex appealing upon meeting him, seeing his distracted

demeanor made her realize it might not lead anywhere.

But now, with Alex’s invitation, naturally, she didn’t want to refuse. So, she looked at Hanley. “It’s been

a long time since we’ve met. Shall we catch up together?”

Yana and Hanley used to live in the same compound and were of similar age, so their relationship was

quite decent.

Candice said, “It’s okay, you guys go ahead. I’ll head back.”

Hanley nodded. “I’ll take you back first.”

However, Yana interjected directly. “What are you going back for? Since you’re Hanley’s girlfriend, let’s

all go together. Speaking of it, after all these years, I’ve never seen Hanley close to any girl before.”

She rubbed her chin. “You might be his first love, you know.”