My Mirror Image

Chapter 138

Alex glanced down at Sonia, his dark eyes devoid of emotion. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he

swallowed, and he finally spoke in a non–committal tone. “There’s no rush.”

Sonia struggled to maintain her composure, expecting more from him. But he seemed indifferent to her

emotional display.

She realized that while Alex could tolerate a certain level of her bratty behavior, he had limits.

With a mix of frustration and resignation, Sonia implored, “Just remember that I can be trusted, you

know. I’m not that incompetent.” She smiled at him.

Alex caressed her on the back of the head and hummed “Go home now.”

Sonia’s bright smile faded when she got out of the automobile.

Candice remained occupied with work until the early hours of the morning when she collapsed into bed

from

sheer exhaustion.

She had made a good impression by hosting the dinner.

The following morning, Kayla welcomed her brightly when she arrived at the office.

She handed Candice a form saying. “There’s a discrepancy with the weekly report data submitted

here.”

“What’s with the sudden zeal for work?” Candice asked.

“Because of your generosity.” Kayla responded candidly. “We’re definitely putting in extra effort for you.”

Everyone had a good relationship in the Secretary’s Office, and Candice’s unexpected transfer had

initially

caused some surprise.

However, following the fondue dinner, the mood shifted favorably, and her colleagues now approached

her

with warmth.

Previously, Candice had been primarily concerned with progressing to the President’s Office, which had

resulted in superficial interactions with her co–workers.

Then later, while working closely with Alex, she had limited contact with others due to her role, earning

a reputation at Aether Corporation for being distant.

Now, in the Secretary’s Office and influenced by Kayla’s lively nature, Candice was finding it easier to

integrate

with the team. Her initiative to host a dinner gathering the night before had been a strategic move to

win her

colleague’s favor.

Around midday. Tamia arrived with a personnel summary, commenting. “I don’t envy how you folks in

the Secretary’s Office make your living.”

Without glancing up, Candice instructed. “Just place the papers here.”

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A bit taken aback, Tamla tapped her desk and asked, “Isn’t it time for lunch? Aren’t you going to eat?”

Glancing at her phone, Candice realized it was indeed lunchtime. She had been too preoccupied with

work.

“I’ve got takeout coming,” she said, focusing on her tasks.

Facing a pile of departmental reports, she planned to work through lunch to free up time for an

afternoon visit

to Joe.

The workload was overwhelming. By the end of the day she had only made slight progress.

In the late afternoon, Sonia arrived, dressed professionally and smiling appropriately. She mentioned,”

Candice, you didn’t turn in the minutes from last Wednesday’s meeting.”

Candice hadn’t attended that meeting and replied, “I wasn’t in charge of those minutes.”

Sonia’s tone was slightly challenging as she retorted. “But as part of the Secretary’s Office,

it’s your job to oversee that.”

For a brief moment, Candice paused and clarified, “Attendees handle the minutes here. I’m

not the sole person responsible.” She calmly reminded Sonia, “You spent two weeks here when you

started. You should know how things work.”

Candice’s remarks were accurate, yet Sonia felt they were meant as a slight, suggesting she was

merely an Intern or a low–ranking secretary. Her irritation showed in her expression.

Her hold on her notebook grew firmer, and her voice acquired a bitter edge as she instructed, “Make

sure to send those meeting notes upstairs before you leave, or it’ll hold everyone up.”

After Sonia’s departure, Kayla came over and displayed her annoyance. “What’s with her attitude? She

acts as if she runs the place.”

wan ay

Largely unbothered, Candice verified who was responsible for the previous Wednesday’s minutes and

discovered it was a typically reserved female colleague.

She quietly arranged for the minutes to be sent upstairs. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

As she did so, Queenie and several interns approached, each presenting a report as part of their

application

for full–time positions.

“Here are our full–time position applications,” they announced.

Candice took them and asked, “Have you compiled all the required documents and evidence?”

“Everything’s been prepared.” they confirmed.

Once the interns had left. Kayla came over to share a piece of gossip from HR. “I heard there are five

full–time openings in our office. Does that mean all these interns might get hired?”

This news caught Candice off guard, and she exclaimed, “We only have five openings?”

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Kayla confirmed the number, mentioning her lunchtime conversation with Tamia.

She then expressed her disdain for Sonia, “In contrast, at the President’s Office, Sonia isn’t even full–

time, but she bosses people around.”

The mention of Sonia’s potential full–time status concerned Candice.

Technically, Sonia was still under the Secretary’s Office umbrella, meaning six interns were vying for

only five

available positions.

Candice headed upstairs at the end of her workday. As she arrived she saw Sawyer and Julie

preparing to

leave.

Sonia frowned and questioned her presence, “Why are you here? The minutes are already submitted.”

Candice responded, “I need to discuss something with Mr. Elysian.”

“I can pass on the message along.” Sonia offered. “Lex is busy.”

“It’s work–related. You shouldn’t worry about it,” Candice said calmly.

Sonia looked uncomfortable and murmured, “I didn’t mean that.”

Eager to finish her task quickly, she walked past Sonia and knocked on Alex’s office door. She entered

after

obtaining his consent.

Alex was on the phone and acknowledged her with a gesture.

Candice waited silently until Alex concluded his call.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I wanted to talk about Sonia’s promotion to full–time. Will her position be filled from the Secretary’s

Office

quota or from somewhere else?” Candice queried.

Typically, secretaries for the President’s Office were promoted directly from the Secretary’s Office,

where none of them were interns, making Sonia’s case an exception.

Alex’s expression grew stern, his annoyance evident as he replied. “Is it necessary to involve me in this

decision?”

Candice, looking down, clarified the predicament. “We only have five available spots in our department,

but including Sonia, there are six candidates.”

Alex was visibly impatient. “Must I guide you in resolving this matter?”

Candice understood that resolving the situation meant eliminating the least suitable candidate.

She addressed Alex in a measured tone, “Judging by performance and skills, Sonia ranks lowest. Are

you

asking me to make this decision?”