Candice''s uneasiness grew. "Then I''ll go to the economy ss. I''m just an ordinary employee. It''s not appropriate for me to be in first ss."


    She was about to get up when Elio''s voice,zy yetmanding, stopped her. "Sit down. I paid for your ticket privately. It''s not on thepany''s dime."


    Candice quickly pulled out her phone. "Then I''ll pay you back. How much is it?"


    With a sharp sound, Elio snapped his book shut. He removed his sses, folded them neatly, and ced them on the table beside him before closing his eyes as if to rest.


    Holding her phone, Candice was stunned for a moment but received no response from Elio. She then slowly put it away. Elio was truly unpredictable.


    During the flight, neither of them spoke. Elio alternated between reading and resting his eyes, while Candice spent the time sketching designs.


    After theynded, Candice followed Sadie and another renowned ND designer, Emerson Hartford, to check in at a five-star hotel.


    Sitting on the lobby couch, Candice couldn''t resist pulling out her phone and calling her childhood friend.


    "Merv, guess where I am right now?" Candice said excitedly when the call connected.


    Mervyn Campbell was the son of Ryan, who was Daniel''s close friend. He was Candice''s childhoodpanion and was now studying for his PhD in this country.


    "From your tone, could you already be at my dorm door?" Mervyn replied, equally excited.


    "Close enough. I''m on a business trip with mypany and just arrived here. I don''t know how far I am from you," Candice replied.


    "Candice, where exactly are you? Send me your location, and I''lle over immediately," Mervyn said.


    "I''m..." Candice looked around and continued, "I''m not sure of the exact ce. I''ll send you my location. But only if you have time. I don''t want to interrupt your studies, Merv." "You''re more important than my studies."


    Candice smiled. "You''re-"


    Before she could finish, her phone was suddenly snatched away. Startled, she turned to see Elio standing behind the couch, shutting off her phone.


    "What are you doing?" Candice asked, annoyed by his rudeness, and stood to face him across the couch.


    The two of them stared at each other across the couch.


    Candice''s expression darkened as she said, "Why did you end my call and snatch my phone? Give it back to me."


    Elio didn''t return her phone and instead, his face remained cold as he responded, "You''re here to work, not to visit your friends."


    "We aren''t working 24/7. I should have some personal time to see my friends," Candice argued.


    Just then, Mervyn''s number shed


    on the screen, and Elio immediately rejected the call. Stunned, Candice watched as Mervyn called again, only for Elio to reject once more. en.swhovelsProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    His rude actions left Candice speechless. "Elio Hoffis, give me my phone back! Merv will be worried," she demanded.


    "Merv?" Elio sneered, handing the


    phone back to her with an icy tone.


    "Don''t disclose our itinerary and


    location to irrelevant people. It''s a


    work requirement."


    "Irrelevant people?" Candice took her phone back, seething inside.


    Elio, still with a cold expression, turned and walked away.


    Candice was left speechless. Was there something wrong with Elio? He was unpredictable, unreasonable, and frustrating.


    When her phone rang again, Candice answered and apologized to Mervyn. Not daring to share her location, she exined, "I can''t give you my address;pany policy. Bute find you once I''m done with work."


    "Okay, I''ll wait for you!" Mervyn said cheerfully.


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