Unexpected Fiancée

Chapter 176: Too Much of a Coincidence "Enough." Patrick's cold voice interrupted Candice. “Don't mention her." "Oh. If you don't like to hear about her, then I won't bring it up,” Candice said, somewhat subdued.

She glanced at the glass shards on the floor and, in a considerate tone, offered, "Paddy, let me clean up for you."

"No need. The cleaning staff will take care of it later,” Patrick replied with a faint expression.

“Let me do it. If you accidentally step on it later, it won't be good. I'd hate to see you hurt," Candice insisted.

As she spoke, she crouched down and began picking up the glass shards.

Patrick furrowed his brows, leaning back. Troubled by the online rumors, he absentmindedly took out his phone, opened the contact list, and precisely found Jane's number.

Staring at the name "Jane" on the screen, Patrick's handsome face grew colder.

His finger hovered over the word "Jane" for a moment, hesitated, and then let go.

After repeating this several times, with complex emotions, Patrick finally pressed the call button.

However, the phone on the other end signaled that it was turned off. "Shit!" Patrick cursed under his breath. An aura of coldness emanated from him, making the office temperature feel like it had dropped to freezing.

Even Candice, cleaning up, sensed this chill.

"Paddy, are you okay?" Candice looked up.

Patrick regained his composure and coolly said, “I'm fine."

"Okay, I've cleaned up,” Candice stood up, tossing the glass pieces into the trash.

About to say something more, her phone suddenly rang.

"Paddy, sorry, let me take this call," Candice apologized to Patrick. Patrick nodded indifferently.

Candice answered the call, "Boss, can I take a leave tonight?"

"No!" The bar owner's stern voice came through the waves.

Candice bit her lip and cautiously said, “But I got injured today. There's a bandage on my knee, and I can't perform on stage."

"Then double the deduction from your pay!" The bar owner replied unsympathetically.

"Boss, please, I'm really injured. I need the money urgently. Please don't deduct my pay. Can you make an exception?" Candice pleaded. "Angel, do you think I'm a charity? If everyone took leave whenever they wanted, would I still need to run this bar? If you can't accept it, then get lost!" The bar owner's angry voice came through. "If it weren't for the fact that you can sing, I would have fired you already!"

"I understand, boss. I'll be there on time tonight,” Candice said, her eyes teary.

After hanging up the phone, Candice looked at Patrick with teary eyes. "Paddy, I have to go. I have to work at the bar tonight."

Patrick frowned, "But you're injured.”

“It's okay. I can wear a long skirt so that customers won't see my injured knee," Candice replied, trembling with a hint of a crying tone, but she also tried to sound strong.

“No need to go. Candy, resign," Patrick said in a low voice.

"But how can I? This job is essential to me. I still need to work hard to repay you," Candice shook her head, portraying a strong and independent demeanor.

Patrick sighed softly, "Candy, didn't I say it? I don't need you to repay me."

"But I don't like owing you,” Candice lowered her head. "Paddy, I'm afraid you'll look down on me."

"How could 1?" Patrick pondered for a moment before saying, "Candy, how about this? Come work at Pansy Group."

"Can 1?" Candice's eyes lit up with joy.

Patrick smiled, sounding affirmative, "Of course."

Airport.

Nana and Jane boarded the fastest flight to Changbai Mountain.

Jane was about to turn off her phone when she received a call from Osborn.

"Osborn?" Jane raised an eyebrow.

Osborn's magnetic voice came through the phone, "Jane, I went to the City East Garden just now, but you weren't there.”

"Yeah, I'm at the airport now, with Nana," Jane replied.

"Airport? Where are you guys headed?" Osborn sounded puzzled.

“I have some important matters to attend to," Jane thought for a moment and said, "By the way, there's a lot of gossip and rumors about you and me online. You should try to get them removed."

“I will," Osborn replied in a muffled voice. "Jane, aren't you considering my suggestion? Revealing your true identity might be the best solution for now."

“Let's talk about it when I get back," Jane said.

The plane took off, soaring into the clouds.

Jane's gaze shifted to the window, her thoughts wandering.

In truth, she disliked flying because she was afraid of heights.

The last time she flew was with Patrick.

Those memories, one by one, unbiddenly played in Jane's mind.

The plane crash, Patrick parachuting with her.

It was also during that time that Jane truly understood her feelings for Patrick.

Now, looking back, it felt like a lifetime ago.

Quite ironic.

She had given all her sincere feelings to Patrick, yet he was wholeheartedly in love with another woman.

"Jane, what are you thinking?" Nana's voice interrupted Jane's thoughts.

Jane came back to her senses, glanced at Nana, and said casually, "Nothing."

“You're thinking about Patrick, aren't you?" Nana pinpointed it directly. "Actually, you can't let go.”

Jane's inner turmoil was exposed. She hesitated for a moment and asked, "Why would you say that?"

“Intuition,” Nana took a sip of her juice, smiling. "I can tell. You still have feelings for Patrick, and he feels the same way."

He feels the same way?

How could that be?

Jane spoke somewhat gloomily, "Nana, don't joke. You wouldn't know that Patrick likes Candy, right?"

“I know. You're bothered by that, so you decisively canceled the engagement with Patrick,” Nana put down her juice, turned to look at Jane, and said seriously, "Because of your pursuit of perfection, especially in matters of the heart, you can't tolerate any flaws. But have you ever thought that all of this is too much of a coincidence?"