Chapter 0376
Chapter 0376
Candice gave Hailey a cold look and responded matter-of-factly, "We don't know each other well."
Hailey chuckled and added, "It's okay. We may not be close now, but I'm confident we'll get there. Who knows. I might end up being your stepmother someday."
Candice's demeanor darkened instantly. She fixed a severe glare on Hailey.
Even though she was young, Hailey exuded a worldly air that suggested she was no stranger to men. She smiled and added, "Just kidding. Don't take it too seriously."
Then, just behind Candice, she saw a man enter the restaurant. Hailey's manner quickly changed. She approached that man and remarked coyly, "Oh, Mr. Fisher. What's taken you so long? I've been waiting for your arrival for quite some time."
Candice's mood remained gloomy as she completed ordering her lunch.
Angela coughed and said awkwardly, "Well, young girls are quite daring these days."
Even while Candice remained silent, it was clear that she was in a foul mood—especially with Hailey present, which meant Henry was probably here.
She didn't seem to have much of an appetite.
Angela, as keen as ever, noticed this. She offered, "Let's try different restaurants. This one isn't very good."
Candice quickly replied, "Okay. It's my treat."
This restaurant specialized in premium, home-cooked cuisine. Aside from the main eating area, there were other private rooms available to accommodate the customers.
Hailey sat submissively next to Henry after escorting Geoffrey Fisher into the private room. Her demeanor was a great contrast from the one who had clung to Geoffrey just moments ago.
Geoffrey's stare remained fixed on her as he probed, "Hailey, you've been looking more attractive recently. With a beautiful companion like you, Mr. Renault is quite a lucky man."
Hailey pretended to be modest and smiled sheepishly. She teased, "What are you talking about, Mr. Fisher? My looks are nothing compared to those of Mr. Renault's daughter."
"Oh?" Geoffrey's curiosity peaked at her remarks. He looked at Henry and asked, "You have a daughter? But I have never heard of her."
Hailey explained, "She's the one who stood next to me earlier. Tall and fair-skinned, the young woman who wore a white shirt. She has a terrific shape."
Geoffrey remembered the woman he saw when he walked into the restaurant after Hailey described her vividly.
He taunted, "Oh, my! Mr. Renault, you have done an excellent job of hiding her. I had no idea you had such a lovely daughter."
Henry scowled as he looked at Hailey. His expression suggested a hint of disapproval, unhappy with her bringing up Candice.
However, Geoffrey was seated across from him. Since he needed Geoffrey's assistance, he couldn't display his unwillingness to talk about Candice.
Though he was still grinning, Geoffrey taunted, "It seems like you're very protective of your daughter and prefer to keep her hidden like a treasure."
Henry's heart sank. He hesitated before looking up and asked, "Mr. Fisher, what are you talking about? I had no idea she was here. Let me ask her to come over and properly greet you."
Candice and Angela decided to shift venues. After some googling, they discovered a highly-rated restaurant nearby.
Henry appeared at their table just as they were about to settle the bill.
With a shirt, pants, and a pair of glasses with a golden frame resting atop his nose, he donned an especially refined look today.
Candice furrowed her brows and stared at him silently.
Henry smiled warmly and asked, "Candy, why didn't you tell me you were coming here? This is the restaurant I had planned to take you to last time. They have good food here." This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Candice met his gaze, which was hidden beneath the spectacles. She found no warmth or love, only shrewdness.
She broke the silence after a while, saying, "I'm having lunch with a colleague."
"What a coincidence!" Henry stated. He smiled kindly at Angela and said, "Let me treat you both to lunch. Just think of it as me thanking this young girl for looking after you."
Candice felt an uneasy sensation when Henry referred to Angela as a 'young girl'. She flatly refused the offer. "It's okay. We have eaten."
Henry's eyes flared with resentment as he fixed his gaze on Candice. His tone became somber as he replied, "Candy, I just want to have lunch with you. Is this too much to ask? I understand you're furious, but..."
He paused halfway and sighed. Henry asked, "Couldn't you give your old man another chance?"
Candice realized she'd have a difficult time getting rid of Henry if she didn't agree. In an attempt to prevent a scene, she took a deep breath and turned to Angela.
She said, "I'm sorry, but I need to deal with this."
Angela blinked. Candice left before she could say anything.
Henry stood in the same position. He gave Angela a smile and a nod before walking away.
Angela watched as the father and daughter walked away. She had a strong feeling that something was wrong.
Candice noticed Hailey as soon as she followed Henry into the private area.
Hailey propped her chin up with her hands. When Candice entered, she promptly turned to Geoffrey and quipped, "Look! Isn't Mr. Renault's daughter an absolute beauty?"
Geoffrey's admiring eyes focused immediately on Candice. He said, "You're right, she's beautiful. Where should I begin, Mr. Renault? As they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Candice felt the shady intensity of Geoffrey's gaze as it lingered on her. The meaning behind that expression couldn't be clearer.
Henry cleared his throat, reminding Candy, "This is Mr. Fisher. He complimented your wonderful looks. What are you waiting for? Go toast with him to say thank you."
Candice simply ignored Geoffrey. She turned to Henry coldly and questioned, "Is this the meal you wanted to treat me to?"
She asked directly without any regard for him.
Henry frowned and stated, "Mr. Fisher is your elder."
"Does anyone now have the authority to pretend to be my elder?" Candice asked with a sneer. "On what grounds?"
She couldn't help but recall what was on that video. Still, it surprised her that Henry would target her.
When Geoffrey detected the tension in the air, he attempted to calm things down. He patted his big tummy and added, "Well, it's good for young people to have a temper, especially a lovely young woman like your daughter. She's lively and full of personality. I like that!"
He took out his phone and began to tap on it. He then offered it to Candice and asked, "Candy, right? What about exchanging our WhatsApp numbers? I'm not as old-school as your dad. I enjoy keeping up with you young people."
His eyes, which were lustful and full of greed, repulsed Candice. She was sick to her stomach, and her face turned sour.
Receiving no response, Geoffrey looked dissatisfied at Henry and asked, "Is your daughter looking down on me?"
Henry's stare became cold. He hissed, "Candy, haven't I taught you how to behave? How could you disrespect your elders? Apologize to Mr. Fisher right away!"