Candice was shocked. She couldn''t grasp what Elio meant by his words.


    Was it possible that his desire for beauty and pleasure could drive him to such reckless extremes, even at the risk of his own life?


    Elio dered his desire for her. Wasn''t he afraid that her family would kill him for trying to make her his mistress? Didn''t he have any moral boundaries?


    Candice was livid. "Let go of me," she demanded.


    Elio loosened his grip on her wrist and took a step back.


    Candice massaged her aching hand. "Elio, just give up. Marry Josie and live a good life with her. Be good to her, and stop chasing after me."


    With those words, Candice stormed off. She angrily unlocked and pushed through arge iron gate. As she walked, she cursed inwardly at Elio.


    He was despicable. If he weren''t alreadymitted to someone else, she would''ve considered being with him, even as his secret lover.


    But Josie had been by his side for many years, and their wedding was just a month away. Yet, here Elio was, pursuing Candice. He was a fucking scumbag.


    Exhausted, Elio trudged into the living room of Hoffis Manor.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    "Good evening, Mr. Elio," the maid greeted him.


    He flung his suit jacket toward her and loosened his tie while continuing to walk, looking despondent. M''s voice came to his ears as he walked past the living room. "Elio, you''re back?" she called out.


    Elio nced at the couch and saw Micha and M seated there. "Mom, Wanda," he said indifferently, without stopping as he continued toward the stairs. "Where have you been? You look worn out," M asked.


    Micha''s expression turned sour with frustration. "He wouldn''t look this upset even if he lost billions. It has to be her influence," she muttered darkly. "Do you mean Josie?" M asked.


    "I''d be less worried if it were Josie. His marriage is deeply troubling me," Micha grumbled.


    M gave her a wry smile and patted her back reassuringly. "Mom, don''t worry so much. Young people manage their own love lives. Let him choose for himself. Don''t meddle or try to arrange anything. He can handle it on his own."


    Micha frowned. She leaned closer to Mi and lowered her voice. "I''m trying not to meddle, but he shouldn''t have fallen for your niece."


    M was taken aback. "Who?"


    Concerned about being overheard, Micha whispered into M''s ear, "Candice Morrison, Daniel''s daughter."


    M smiled faintly while looking in disbelief. "That can''t be. Elio doesn''t even like Candice."


    Micha stayed quiet.


    "He always avoids Candice whenever he visits Morrison Residence to see Jasper. He doesn''t talk to her, ignores herpletely, and even hides when he sees her. How could he possibly be interested in her?" M questioned.


    Pointing to the room on the second floor, Micha grumbled, "Go check his room, and you''ll see his obsession with Candice. He''spletely lost his mind. His thoughts are twisted, and he needs professional help."


    "Mom, how can you speak about your son like that?" M responded with displeasure.