Chapter 320 His Candy, Deserves Better

Chapter 320 His Candy, Deserves Better

The Talbot family couple, along with Gabriel and Ainsley, chatted for a while before Tristan and his parents came over too.

Tristan still looked elegant and handsome tonight.

Dressed in a silver-gray suit, he appeared even more graceful and refined. Compared to Kieran's awkwardness, Tristan carried himself with much more composure.

He also gave Candice a separate gift, saying, "I went back and forth on what to get you, and finally decided to paint something especially for you. You can open it when you get home tonight."

Candice thanked him graciously as usual and even joked, "Getting a painting from Tristan is truly an honor. This might be worth a fortune someday - I'd better take good care of it!"

Tristan smiled, his eyes showing a hint of affection. "If you like it, I can paint for you anytime."

His gaze was gentle and indulgent.

Candice noticed this and felt slightly stunned, sensing something odd but unable to pinpoint what.

Watching this scene, Elijah was getting anxious inside.

Candice's birthday party was already half over - why hadn't Brandon arrived yet?

And his phone wasn't even going through.

Didn't Brandon say he was taking the morning flight and would arrive tonight?

Why couldn't he reach him?

Now, even the gift-giving had been beaten to the punch by his rival!

If this kept up, was he really going to end up with a stepfather?

Brandon was so unreliable!

This was driving him crazy!

Elijah felt anxious, so he could only use his phone watch to message Brandon frequently, asking about the situation.

Fortunately, Brandon didn't keep him worried for long and soon replied.

"Don't worry, I've been here for a while."

Seeing this message, Elijah's eyes immediately lit up.

Was Brandon here?

When did he arrive?

He immediately asked, "Dad, where are you now?"

Since Brandon was here, why hadn't he come to find them?

Brandon replied, "Naturally, in the banquet hall, but it's not convenient for me to see you right now. I'll go find your mom later."

After reading the message, Elijah instinctively started scanning the banquet venue.

But there were so many people tonight that he couldn't spot Brandon at all!

However, he figured since Brandon was already here, he didn't need to worry anymore.

Brandon must have already seen his rival giving Candice a gift, right?

He was probably dying of jealousy by now, wasn't he?

At that moment, under the shade of trees outside the manor.

Brandon stood with a friend, holding a glass of red wine, but his eyes were fixed on a scene in the distance.

He could indeed see Candice and the others.

From his vantage point, he was directly facing the floor-to-ceiling windows and could clearly see what was happening inside.

He naturally caught the whole scene of Tristan giving Candice a gift.

His gaze fell on that figure he'd been thinking about day and night.

Tonight's Candice was dazzling, drawing everyone's attention, so beautiful that people couldn't look away.

So many eyes on her carried friendliness, respect, and admiration.

This was the love and spotlight the Mortimer family gave to Candice.

Brandon felt proud, yet also a bit uncomfortable.

She should have enjoyed such brilliance much earlier, but because she'd suffered for years in the Elikin family, and then married into the Obelon family, where she was treated coldly.

Back then, everyone said she wasn't good enough for the Obelon family.

Now, who would dare say that?

Brandon felt both heartache and bitterness. His Candy deserved better.

From now on, he would make her shine even brighter.

Thinking this, Brandon tilted his head back and downed his drink.

Candice had no idea that her every move was falling under Brandon's watchful eyes.

Too many eyes were on her tonight. She had to appear very proper, couldn't show any weakness, and couldn't display any inappropriate behavior, or she'd embarrass the Mortimer family.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. Her face was getting stiff from smiling, and her feet hurt from the high heels.

The new shoes had rubbed her heels raw, causing sharp pain. She could only quietly adjust her standing position from time to time.

Ulysses often attended various events with female celebrities and had seen plenty, so he immediately noticed Candice's small movements.

He quietly said to her, "Candy, go upstairs and rest for a bit. Dad, Mom, and I can handle things here."

These words were like someone handing her a pillow just when she was getting sleepy.

She could barely hold on anymore, so she quickly nodded, looking at him gratefully and saying, "Ulysses, you're really the best!"

Ulysses raised his chin. "Of course!"

Candice didn't waste time and immediately told her parents.

Ainsley and Gabriel had no objections.

The two little ones were also the stars tonight. The couple was taking their little grandsons around to show off, receiving lots of praise and admiration, and were very happy.

Seeing this, Candice didn't disturb them and quickly made her escape.

By the time she got back to her room, her legs were already aching terribly.

She quickly took off her high heels and looked down to check, finding that her heels had indeed developed blisters.

Candice couldn't help but gasp.

Events like this banquet were truly exhausting.

Just one evening was more tiring than working for a whole week.

She sat on the sofa, sighed, and started massaging her legs while taking out her phone to call Caspian, wanting to ask why he hadn't come back yet.

However, after dialing, Candice frowned.

Caspian still wasn't answering his phone.

And Brandon hadn't sent her any messages today either?

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Candice thought it was someone from the family, or maybe Qiana and the others, so she casually responded, "Come in."

The knocking paused for a few seconds before the person outside pushed the door open.

Then closed it again.

Candice heard the sound and shifted her attention from her phone to the door.

Then she saw that tall figure.

The man was wearing a well-tailored black suit, slowly walking toward her.

That handsome face was still as flawless as ever, impossible to find fault with.

Candice's beautiful eyes widened.

She seemed shocked that he was here.

"How are you here!"

She was stunned.

Because it was none other than Brandon.

If she remembered correctly, the Mortimer family hadn't invited him at all, right?

So how did Brandon get in?

Brandon put his finger to his lips, his voice low as he reminded her, "Don't be too loud. I got in using a friend's invitation. Don't attract everyone from the Mortimer family."

By the time he finished speaking, he had already reached Candice's side.

Candice was still in shock.

Brandon being bold in Seaside City was one thing, but he dared to do this in Silverlight City too?

"Do you have a death wish?"

Candice couldn't help asking.

If her brothers or parents discovered him entering the Mortimer family estate, Brandon probably wouldn't make it out alive tonight!

Brandon looked at her shocked expression and couldn't help but chuckle. "That's why I'm asking you to keep your voice down, if you don't want to see me in trouble."

He sat down next to Candice very naturally.

Candice instinctively wanted to move back, but her body knew clearly that Brandon wouldn't hurt her, so she held back.

Brandon caught every bit of this small movement.

He looked at her with gentle eyes and asked softly, "Want a hug? We haven't seen each other for half a month."

Candice said irritably, "No hugging. You need to leave now. If someone comes, you're done for!"

But Brandon said leisurely, "No rush. At least let me give you my gift first."

Had he prepared a gift too?

Just as Candice was wondering what he would give her, she heard him say, "But before that, I want to put some medicine on you first."

After saying this, he leaned forward slightly and grasped Candice's ankle with one hand.

"How did you..." know?

Candice was startled but didn't finish her sentence.

Because Brandon had already taken it upon himself to hold her calf and place it on his leg to examine it.

The spot on her heel that had been rubbed raw was now red and inflamed, but her calf was long and straight, her skin smooth. Her toes curled up slightly from his touch, as if shy.

Candice's face did turn a bit red.

After all, no one had ever grabbed her foot as directly as Brandon did.

She quickly spoke up to stop him, "Brandon, don't - I don't need it!"