The Wrong Woman

"Candice, something's wrong! You're not on the confirmation list!" Vanessa Yates, shifting her office chair closer, urgently whispered to Candice, "Hurry and check the email. Your name isn't there." Candice's beautiful face instantly fell. In disbelief, she grabbed her mouse and clicked open the company email.

She murmured to herself, "That's impossible. I passed the three-month evaluation, and my design was selected for the next season's collection. Why isn't my name there?"

Vanessa, equally perplexed, suggested, "I don't know why. You should ask the director."

Candice scanned the email again. Every intern's name was listed except hers.

Vanessa leaned in, frustration in her voice. "This is unfair. You've been the best performer among the interns. Why is your name missing?"

Candice released the mouse and clenched her fists, her eyes welling up. It wasn't just about the job; she knew she could find work elsewhere.

What stung was the excellence she had consistently shown, earning praise from colleagues and superiors, making her conversion to a permanent position seem certain.

But ever since Elio returned from abroad and took over ND Group, her name was the only one to vanish from the confirmation list of the four interns. The bias was glaringly obvious.

A cold sensation gripped her heart, causing a dull, aching pain. Tears filled her eyes as she grappled with the realization that the man she had secretly loved for 12 years despised her to this extent.

Noticing her distress, Vanessa caressed her back and tried to comfort her. "Candice, you should speak with the director. Maybe it's just a clerical error."

Candice took a deep breath and shook her head. "It's not the director's doing. This is perhaps the new CEO's decision."

"Why?" Vanessa asked, bewildered. "In terms of efficiency, capability, talent, and even looks, how could you lose to the other three interns?"

Candice forced a bitter smile, remaining silent.

Vanessa's eyes widened in realization. "Does the CEO have a grudge against you?"

Candice sighed softly, "Maybe."

Later that evening, Candice stepped out of the ND building. With lights and shadow intertwined, the sunset bathed the world in a beautiful, soft red hue. A luxury car pulled up in front of her. Seeing it, Candice forced a smile. en.s.netProperty belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

The car door opened, and a handsome young man stepped out, his warm smile radiant. "Candice, I'm here to pick you up."

"Jasper," Candice greeted with a faint smile.

Jasper affectionately patted her head. "Was work tiring?"

Her body wasn't tired, but her heart was. Still, she chose to focus on the positive. "No."

Jasper walked to the trunk and pulled out a pair of fluffy slippers and a bottle of water. He set the slippers in front of Candice and handed her the opened water. en.s.net

Candice, used to her brothers' pampering, smiled appreciatively. "Thanks, Jasper."

She slipped off her high heels, put on the slippers, took a sip of water, and asked quietly, "Why are you free to pick me up today?"

"Elio is back, and our grandparents

are hosting a banquet for him. They're planning to announce something important," Jasper said as he carried her high heels and led her to the passenger seat. "I'm here to take you to the event." en.s.net

Candice got in and buckled her seatbelt. As Jasper settled into the driver's seat, her face fell. She whispered, "Jasper, I don't want to go."