My Mirror Image

Chapter 37

Kayla was reluctant to

int to give her consent.

Everyone at Aether Corporation knew about the relationship between Candice and Sonia, yet this fact

did not seem to trouble Candice as

she collected the papers and headed upstairs.

She was lucky. Sonia and Julle were in the restroom when she arrived upstairs, allowing Candice to

bring the documents straight to Alex.

Alex exhibited mild surprise at her arrival in his office, raising his eyebrows slightly.

Handing over the documents, Candice reminded him. “These need your signature.”

Alex accepted and began to sign them without delay.

Candice observed him. Her eyelashes trembled slightly.

The foremost lesson he had taught her was the importance of scrutinizing contracts, insisting she

should always examine them closely. even if they came from a familiar source.

Midway through signing, Alex casually inquired, “How’s your foot injury?”

Candice replied softly, “Almost healed.”

“Will you be able to join the team–building event?”

“Yes.”

As Alex completed the signing and returned the papers to her, Candice prepared to leave. But then he

added, “Stop by the finance department to get your reimbursement for the medical expenses.”

Candice paused, turning to look at him.

After a brief silence, he explained. “Someone posted a video online. The company plans to leverage

your injury for public relations.”

His eyes were dimly lit and displayed no emotion as they gazed at Candice.

Candice slowly opened her mouth, speaking gently after a moment. “I thought you would at least ask if

it hurts.”

Alex’s hand which was holding the pan, paused at her question. He offered, “Compensation can be

doubled, and paid leave is also

possible.”

“Alright.”

Exiting Alex’s office, Candice encountered Sonla and Julie.

Sonia, noticing her departure from Alex’s office, displayed a mix of discomfort and wariness in her

eyes, yet managed a forced smile. asking, “Candice, what’s your reason for being here?”

Candice merely glanced at her and continued on her way.

With no response from Candice, Sonia clenched her lips and retreated to her desk.

held at a hot

Aether Corporation’s team–building activity was held at a hot spring resort.

Alex approved the plan. The corporation reserved the entire resort for the function over the weekend.

Everyone on the secretarial team was thrilled when they heard the news; such grandeur was

uncommon even at Aether Corporation. Soon, word got out that Sonia was behind the planning. The

internal chat groups buzzed with excitement. Those flatterers even began referring to Sonia as the

“boss’s wife.”

Sonia, swamped by attention, sent gifts to everyone, along with a formal message wishing a delightful

weekend, echoing the tone of at

boss’s wife.

I on the team–building agenda, where Sonia had merely altered a game and carried her mug to the

pantry.

Candice reflected on

Likely on a work–related task, Sonia had gone downstairs and engaged in conversation with someone

from the finance department.

“I’m so grateful to you for being able to visit the hot spring resort this time. It’s the first time in my years

at Aether Corporation to enjoy such a privilege at the hot spring resort,” the deputy director of the

finance department expressed his gratitude with a smide.

“I heard you planned this team–building activity.”

Sonia had a lovely smile on her face. She was naturally chubby, which made her look more likable. Her

silence seemed to affirm that claim

as she neither confirmed nor denied it.

Candice, with a neutral expression, entered the pantry and poured water into her cup.

Upon noticing Candice, Sonia’s smile momentarily froze.

Silently, Candice filled her cup and was about to leave when she overheard a contemptuous comment,

“With Candice in charge, we never visited such upscale places. Thankfully, you’re around. After all,

you’re practically the boss’s wife.”

Candice did not catch Sonia’s reply, focusing instead on returning to her desk to gather her belongings.

The team–building was set for the weekend, with everyone meeting at the office to board a bus for the

trip.

Candice ran into Alex as she was leaving.

Alex gave her a sidelong glance but did not offer her a ride.

She arrived roughly fifteen minutes after Alex.

He was an expert driver who could go quickly and steadily, but Candice’s commute had taken several

extra minutes due to a traffic jam.

The company had organized five buses, and Candice found a seat next to Kayla.

Kayla, not particularly keen on bus travel, looked enviously at Sonia and mused. “When will I get to ride

in a Maybach?”

Sonia stated she was too sick to take the bus because of her motion sickness. Consequently, Alex

drove her in his luxurious multimillion- dollar Maybach.

Candice diverted her attention from them to her phone, where Jackson had sent her a video of his

Ragdoll.cat.

As she bowed her head to view her phone, she missed the glance Alex directed her way.

Alex barely glimpsed her profile, maintaining a neutral, unreadable expression.

“Lex? Are you listening to me?” Sonia gripped his arm, her tone pleading and pitiful.

Redirecting his focus to Sonia, Alex paused briefly before responding. “What is it?”

“I was asking if my outfit looks good today?” Sonia tugged at her dress, looking expectantly at Alex.

“It looks good on you.” Alex answered promptly.

After that, Sonia perked up, linked arms with Alex, and confidently strode past the buses.

Candice’s gaze shifted back from her phone to the departing figures of Alex and Sonia, noticing Alex

carefully holding Sonia’s hand.

The hot spring resort was nestled halfway up a mountain.

It was already midday when they arrived.

Candice and Kayla enjoyed lunch together before returning to their room for some rest.

As they were settling in, they overheard colleagues outside inquiring if anyone was interested in a

hiking trip.

Candice, nursing a recovering ankle injury, chose not to participate.

Waking from her nap, she found the resort unusually quiet.

Upon inquiring with the staff, she discovered that everyone had ventured out on the hike. From NôvelDrama.Org.

Intent on enjoying some leisure time, Candice picked up a book and headed to the outdoor pavilion to

bask in the sunshine.

However, rounding a corner, she unexpectedly encountered Alex, who had just ended a phone call.

Noticing her, he asked with a hint of curiosity. “Why didn’t you join the mountain hike?”

“I wasn’t in the mood,” she responded, realizing Alex might have forgotten about her healing ankle.

Alex was about to say something more when his phone rang, drawing him away for another call. His

tone grew serious, indicating a work-

related conversation,

Candice, still partly preoccupled with thoughts of Alex, descended the stairs and missed a step.

Her foot went over the edge, lost her balance, and tumbled downward.

A refreshing breeze came up from behind. Suddenly, a strong, powerful arm wrapped around her waist.

Alex, still on the phone, steadied her with his free hand. His brow wrinkled, and his tone was stern.

“Why must you always cause trouble?”

Once she was stable, the coolness of his presence receded. Alex looked at her, his dark eyes

betraying indifference.

“Are you unable to walk properly, or is this deliberate?”

Candice paused, then softly inquired, “Deliberate for what reason?”

Alex’s face twisted into a half–smirk, his eyes lowering in a mocking gaze, ridiculed, “Why are you

asking knowingly?”

“I’m not…” she began to object.

Sonia bounded in joyfully before she could finish.

The colleagues who had gone on the hike were returning.

Candice attempted to distance herself from Alex, only to hear his low, disdainful remark, “Your

pretentiousness doesn’t appeal to me.”

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