As soon as the banquet was over, Candice Renault left to pick up Alex Elysian. When she opened the door to a room, she bumped into a young girl. The girl looked clean and smart like an elf who could easily charm people. Candice had seen the girl before. She was the new intern at the Secretary's Office, Sonia Summers. Sonia looked up and met Candice's gaze. A hint of nervousness flashed across her face and she greeted timidly, "Candice." Candice was travel-weary, with frost still on her shoulders. She looked outstanding but she was not a fan of smiling, which exuded aloofness. Candice hummed in acknowledgment and glanced inside the room before she returned her attention to Sonia. She asked coldly, "Where's Alex?" The name Alex made Sonia nervous. "Mr. Elysian went out to buy a drink for me," answered Sonia with a voice so hushed that it was drowned out by the room's music as she glanced nervously at Candice. Candice raised her brows and sized up Sonia carefully. Having been with Alex for many years and yet she had never asked him for a favor. Last month, Candice got into a car accident and hurt her left wrist. It was inconvenient for her to carry out her everyday tasks yet Alex did not even pour her a glass of water. Sonia grew nervous under Candice's scrutinizing gaze. She anxiously clutched the hem of her dress and spoke hesitantly, "Mr. Elysian should be back soon." Candice remained silent. She had been away in Noxville since last week, attending a series of meetings, and had only returned today to go to the Elysian family's banquet. Alex was not particularly close to his family, so Candice had always acted as his representative. The two ladies caught the attention of people in the room but the dim environment managed to veil Candice's face. They teased, "Sonia, Mr. Elysian is only away for a while and you're already waiting for him at the door? How about the people here waiting for you?" Candice heard that loud and clear. Sonia was petrified. She awkwardly explained, "Candice, they are joking. This is the first time Mr. Elysian brought me to a place like this, that's why he's taking good care of me." Candice wondered if Sonia was feigning ignorance. People who could be in the same room with Alex privately were all his friends in the same field. Candice glanced at the man who spoke. He might be joking but she could tell that he was familiar with Sonia and had accepted her as one of them. When Alex first brought Candice out to meet his friends, she was never treated with such hospitality. She was simply left in the corner on her own. The rich young men of Dorrington City were all arrogant and proud with the tendency to look down on people. If not for Alex, they would never have accepted Sonia. Candice scoffed ironically. Despite being with Alex for years, she was not offered the same level of protection by him as the new intern was. She pulled her gaze back and decided to wait for Alex at the parking lot. When she turned around, she saw Alex approaching from the other end of the corridor. The first two buttons of his black shirt were undone, and his sleeves were rolled up, exposing his beautifully chiseled forearms. She looked down and saw his bony joints and slender fingers holding her tight. … After sex, Candice almost lost her voice to all the moaning. She saw Alex getting changed in the washroom. He never spent the night at her place, which was also the reason he bought a unit for her in the first place. Candice closed her tired eyes and asked, "You're into that intern?" Alex did not stop buttoning his shirt. "She's a good girl." Candice scoffed. In the presence of such a man, everyone could act like a good girl, yet he never truly paid attention to any of them. She opened her eyes slightly to peek at the man's defined body. She grinned. "If she's a good girl, what's holding you back?" Alex stopped. He looked at Candice grimly and furrowed his brows. "A good girl-that's exactly what is holding me back." Candice's grin froze. Rather than not wanting to ravage the girl, Alex did not have the heart to corrupt her innocence. Title: A Fated Encounter In "A Fated Encounter" by CrushReels, a captivating modern romance unfolds. Emma Brown finds herself entangled in a complex web of family obligations when her father, Henry, pressures her to marry Tommy Anderson in place of her sister Bella to salvage their struggling business. As Emma navigates this unexpected turn of events, she discovers that Tommy is not the man rumors portray him to be. Their relationship evolves beyond mere obligation, revealing layers of depth and emotion amidst the backdrop of societal expectations and personal desires. This novel delves into themes of duty, love, and self-discovery as Emma grapples with conflicting emotions and the realization that fate may have a different plan in store for her. With nuanced character development and a unique twist on the conventional romance narrative, "A Fated Encounter" stands out as a compelling tale of love and sacrifice. Experience this engrossing story online at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where destiny intertwines with the complexities of the heart.