Chapter 78

Chapter 78:
Kori blinked and rubbed her eyes. “I can’t believe what I just saw. Is Candice really Milton’s girlfriend? Since Milton owns Moow, it makes sense why they wouldn’t sell those clothes to me.”
“Could Mr. Lopez actually be keeping her?” Alta muttered.
“How can you even think that? I don’t see why Milton would keep any woman. Damn it! That woman must have seduced him somehow,” Cathy said sharply.
“I can’t believe how lucky she is. Mr. Lopez will shower her with designer handbags,” Kori said, envy clear in her voice. “I’d love to have one too. But my VIP status only lets me reserve them — I probably won’t get the bag for at least a year.”
Cathy patted her forehead. “Hey! Snap out of it! That’s not what we should be focusing on right now!”
Kori covered her forehead in frustration.
“Just wait. When Mr. Lopez gets tired of her, he’ll dump her for sure,” Alta seethed with jealousy.
“In the years since we last saw her, she’s turned into a seductive woman. Next time, I won’t let her get away!” Cathy spat bitterly.
Meanwhile, Milton held Candice’s shoulder as they walked through the teaching building and out onto the lawn.
They had already put some distance between themselves and the three women, who could no longer see them.
“I appreciate what you did back there, Mr. Lopez,” Candice said quickly as she pulled away from his grip.
Milton stopped walking and said nothing.
“What did you just call me?” Candice teased lightly.
Honey? It was unbelievable he’d really say something like that.
A hint of embarrassment flickered across Milton’s face.
He looked away and said, “You must have misheard.”
He glanced up at the full moon, feeling uneasy.
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“Mr. Lopez, I had no idea you had such acting chops,” Candice said sincerely, impressed by what she had seen tonight firsthand.
“That was not acting,” Milton scowled, giving her an intense gaze.
He had indeed placed an order for three bags, so she would have them the next day. His mother had asked him to take her home so they could see each other again. So, he hadn’t lied.
Candice wasn’t sure what he meant exactly but assumed he was too embarrassed to admit it outright.
“I really appreciate your help,” she said.
“You studied here, huh?” Milton asked suddenly.
Candice nodded, surprised.
“I assumed you studied overseas all the time,” Milton said, genuinely puzzled. He had thought she was born and raised in another country since she spoke French and Spanish so fluently.
Candice didn’t answer.
“Candy” was an identity Bettina had created for her. Due to her experience with international cases, she knew the risks involved, so her colleagues and clients only knew her by that name.
She was reluctant to share more about her time at Wilmint High School. All she remembered was pain.
She avoided the question by changing the subject.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lopez, but I must go. Thank you for tonight.”
Milton pointed ahead and said, “I’m leaving too. I’ll give you a ride home.”
Candice knew it would be hard to say no, so she went with him.
The two walked together in the dark.
The cold storage loomed ahead along the road. That place reminded Candice of her worst nightmare. Even after ten years, she still got goosebumps whenever she approached it.
As they drew closer, she slowed her pace and instinctively hugged herself tightly.
Milton, walking ahead, noticed her distance growing and turned to face her. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling alright?”
Candice took a deep breath, shook her head, and pointed toward the cold storage. “I had a terrible experience there. My stomach drops every time I think about it. I’m sorry.”
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