Unexpected Fiancée

Chapter 197: Await with Anticipation

Jane paid no further attention to Candice, walking steadily towards the CEO's office. Yet, her heart was slightly tinged with pain. Why did Candice repeatedly provoke her? What exactly did she want?

Hadn't Candice already gotten together with Patrick? Why then this fear of losing him? Fear of him being snatched away?

If Candice was truly Candy, she should be confident in holding onto Patrick's heart firmly. Not acting this way.

What was Candice afraid of, exactly?

Jane pondered, sending a message to Anthony: **[Anthony, help me check on someone.]**

Anthony quickly replied: **[Who? Please don't tell me it's that Candy from many years ago.]**

*Candy... Jane self-mockingly curled her lips. Yes, it was indeed about checking on Candy. Now, the focus was on Candice.

Whether Candice was Candy or not... she would have to wait and see.

Jane smirked and sent another message to Anthony: **[Look into Candice, stage name Angela, formerly the resident singer at Allure Bar. I want all her information.]**

After sending the message, Jane added: **[Especially anything specific about Candice around the 18th of last month.]**

The 18th of last month was the day of Jane and Patrick's engagement ceremony. Candice appeared on that day, disrupting their engagement ceremony, just as Nana had pointed out - too coincidental. Behind such coincidences, there often lay deliberate actions unknown to others. Jane's intuition told her that Candice's appearance was orchestrated by someone.

**[Ada, I'll check for you as soon as possible.]** Anthony quickly replied.

**[Good, I'll be waiting for your good news.]** Jane responded.

Putting away her phone, she arrived at the CEO's office door.

Just the thought of meeting Patrick caused a subtle hitch in Jane's breath. She took a few deep breaths, composed herself, then knocked on the door.

"Come in," came Patrick's clear voice.

Jane entered.

"Jane?" Patrick looked up, and upon seeing the graceful figure in his line of sight, the previously chilly gaze softened imperceptibly.

He stood up, and as his deep gaze fell on Jane's face, his thin lips lifted slightly. "Jane, are you looking for me?"

"Yes." Jane nodded lightly, walked to Patrick's desk, and handed him the documents. "I need to report something about the 'Ice and Fire' project."

Patrick's gaze fell on the documents in Jane's hands.

Jane continued, "According to what I just found out, 'Love Jewelry' has recently launched many imitations, causing a significant impact on the sales of 'Ice and Fire.' Our sales have dropped by twenty percent this month."

"I know about this; I've already asked Morton to investigate." Patrick narrowed his long and narrow eyes slightly.

Jane nodded. "Alright, then I'll go back to work."

Seeing the woman in front of him looking indifferent, Patrick's expression darkened. He reached out, encircling Jane's waist.

Jane was about to turn and leave when suddenly a powerful force around her waist made her lose her balance. She toppled into Patrick's arms.

Patrick took advantage of the situation, leading her to the nearby sofa.

He pressed her down, hands on either side of Jane's body, his tall figure firmly pinning her down.

"Are you looking for me just for business?" Patrick's gaze, cold and deep, stared at the woman beneath him as he spoke with a chilling tone. Jane struggled a bit but to no avail, raising her lips in response. "And if I am?"

Just for business...

Patrick's thin lips tightened into a straight line, his handsome face showing extreme displeasure at this moment.

The atmosphere in the CEO's office froze slightly at that moment.

After a brief silence, Patrick spoke again in a deep voice, "Jane, you have nothing else to say to me?"

"No," Jane replied calmly.

"Aren't you going to ask me where I was last night?" Patrick's expression darkened as he looked at Jane, who seemed indifferent.

He had spent the night at Candice's place. Shouldn't she be jealous? Shouldn't she be questioning him?

Why was she so indifferent?

"Heh, your Candy has already told me everything," Jane sneered coldly.

"Candy? What did she tell you?" Patrick was momentarily stunned.

Jane coldly hummed, turning her eyes away from him.

What exactly did Patrick mean?

Wasn't the humiliation he gave her enough?

Just then, a knock on the door sounded, followed by Morton's untimely voice, "CEO."

Jane took the opportunity to push Patrick away. "Someone's here; you better let go of me."

Patrick frowned, releasing Jane. He straightened his slightly disheveled clothes and sternly said, "Come in."

Morton entered, seeing Jane present as well, and the expression on the CEO's face was far from good.

Uh, it seemed like he came at the wrong time...

"What's the matter?" Patrick, impatiently loosening his tie, sat back in his chair, coldly glancing at Morton. "Tell me."

Morton's expression froze, quickly approaching him, respectfully saying, "CEO, I've found some information about 'Love Jewelry.""

"Speak," Patrick spoke in a faint tone.

ret

Morton opened the documents in his hand, handed them to Patrick, and explained, "Since the last plagiarism incident, 'Love Jewelry has been severely damaged in terms of reputation and company operations. It faced a financial crisis and was on the verge of collapse."

Hearing this, Jane spoke in

confusion, "If 'Love Jewelry' is in

such a bad situation, how is it net

causing such a significant impact on us now?"

"Because someone acquired 'Love Jewelry," Morton glanced at Jane and answered.

"Acquired 'Love Jewelry'?" Patrick raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with surprise.

Jane was also puzzled.

Who would acquire a company with so much scandal, on the brink of collapse?

"Yes," Morton nodded affirmatively.

Patrick, with a cold face, asked, "Which company acquired 'Love Jewelry'?"

Morton pointed to the documents on the table. "It's an Australian company, called Baxter Pty Ltd, abbreviated as BPL."

Australia?

Jane's heart skipped a beat, sensing an unusual scent.

Could things be so coincidental?