Chapter 0041 Although her voice was soft. Alex and Sonia overheard her words. Alex stopped in his tracks. Unaware of this, Candice entered the car with Jackson, still clutching the ceramic figure he had given her. Jackson smiled and added, "I thought you wouldn't be interested in these things since many people find them boring." His handsome and refined appearance, coupled with his gentle voice, quickly brought Candice back to the moment. Gazing at the figurine, Candice replied, "I'm not familiar with this field, but it's interesting." "I'd be happy to share what I know," Jackson responded warmly. They headed to the Expo Hall's ceramic exhibition in the city's north. By their arrival, it was nearly closing, with few visitors remaining. Candice, new to ceramics, attentively followed Jackson, listening to his explanation about each piece. They stopped before an elegant vase. "This is one of my grandfather's masterpieces," Jackson said as he looked at the vase tenderly. Candice, recalling his grandfather's passing, did not know what to say. She simply shared his admiration for the vase and eventually nodded in agreement, "It's truly stunning." He broke into a smile. Unlike his typical faint smile, this one was ge genuine. "If this interests you, we could explore more such pieces another time." Following their departure from the exhibition, it was time for dinner. Just as Jackson was about to invite Candice to dine, he got a call from a friend. His friend informed him of something, and he turned to Candice with an apologetic look, suggesting. "There's a birthday party for a friend at a bar close by: would you like to come?" Unfamiliar with Jackson's acquaintances, Candice declined, "I'll just grab a taxi home." "It won't take long; we'll leave soon after," Jackson said with a helpless gesture, adding, "If I show up alone, they'll insist I drink." Candice knew Jackson and Alex's circles did not intersect much due to their differing personalities. So, she was taken aback to find Alex at the bar. Upon arrival, she paused at the private room's entrance, telling Jackson she had returned from the restroom shortly. Coming out of the restroom, she unexpectedly bumped into Alex. +15 BONUS She came to a standstill, unsure about how to greet him, but Alex broke the silence. "Did you come with Jackson?" "It's his friend's birthday party." Candice replied. She raised her eyes and asked rhetorically. "And you? Are you out here having a good time with Sonia?" Maintaining her composure, she showed no sign of discomfort, as if she were engaging in a casual conversation with Alex. Alex gazed at her briefly before looking away nonchalantly with a grunt. He then moved past her. Candice re-entered the private room soon after Alex, and she was not surprised by the scene unfolding before her eyes. She took a seat beside Jackson, whispering, "If you decide to drink, I can drive you home." The private room was noisy, making it hard to hear conversations. Candice was very close to Jackson. Right after she had spoken to Jackson, she noticed someone from across the room staring at her intently. Glancing up, she recognized it was Alex. He was holding a drink, his face set in a cold expression, looking somewhat alien in the bustling, dimly lit space-as if disinterested and tired. As their eyes met, Candice quickly averted her gaze. When she dared to look again, Alex had shifted his attention away, making it seem like the previous exchange was just her imagination. Jackson was good friends with the host. Despite his refusals, he was persistently coaxed to drink, but he kept declining. King of Clubs." Her drawing on this card was an unexpected twist. The atmosphere became even more lively, but before the cheers could escalate, Jackson, seated beside Candice, let out a sigh. "Candy, you're really lucky." After his remark, Jackson revealed his card, announcing, "I have the 3 of Diamonds." Sieg was quick to whistle and jest, "Jack, I can't help you with this: just go for the kiss; I'll keep an eye out for you." Unperturbed, Candice pointed out, "What about the 8 of Hearts?" A lazy, cool voice interjected from the side. "That's mine." Candice hesitated, then turned to see Alex beside her, holding the 8 of Hearts. Alex casually tossed his card on the table, his gaze icily sweeping across the group before he reclined on the sofa once more. The private room fell silent; all eyes were on Candice. Sonia was visibly upset with the situation. She tugged at Alex's sleeve, whispering. "Lex…" "What's up?" Alex inquired, turning to her. Sonia shot another look at Candice, then dropped her gaze, murmuring, "I don't want to interfere with your +15 BONUS The undertone of grievance and implication was clear to everyone present. Before Candice could respond, Alex drew Sonia close, then casually flipped the cards on the table, saying indifferently, "Don't pick me. Dealing with a jealous girlfriend is tricky." This sparked immediate teasing and laughter from the group. Sieg playfully chided, "Lex, just admit you're under her thumb. I've never seen you so chaste before." Alex retorted, "Until now, no one was worth being chaste for." Candice's brows twitched. She grabbed her drink and, turning to Sieg, said calmly, "I'll take three drinks as my penalty. Let's move past this round." While Sieg was lenient with Alex, he was less so with Candice. He complained, "Candice, you're no fun. Can't you play along without Alex?" 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.