Chapter 120 Dare to Touch Candice, Don't Blame Me for Being Rude
Candice watched as her coworkers swarmed Elijah, a fond smile playing on her lips. "I wish he were mine, but no," she said, pausing to find the right words. "An old friend asked me to look after him for a bit. He'll probably be with me for a while."
"He can stick with you! We'll help you babysit! Come here, little guy, I have candy for you!"
"Candy will rot your teeth. Come to me instead, I have some cookies."
Her colleagues, bursting with enthusiasm, began showering Elijah with snacks from their personal stashes.
Elijah sat perfectly still, his wide, round eyes locked on Candice.
It was an amusing sight. When his small arms could no longer hold the mountain of treats, Candice finally stepped in. "Alright, that's enough. You're going to scare him. Now get back to work so we can all go home on time tonight!"
"You got it!"
With a chorus of reluctant goodbyes to Elijah, the group dispersed.
Candice had already changed into her work uniform. She ruffled Elijah's soft hair. "I'll be working right here, and you can stay close by. You can have some of the snacks if you like, but don't eat too many, okay?"
Elijah nodded obediently. "Okay."
A wave of relief washed over Candice. He was responding again. His gradual return to normalcy was a very good thing.
Soon, she was completely immersed in her work, a whirlwind of activity.
Throughout the entire day, Elijah never once seemed bored. He stuck to her side like a little shadow, never leaving her. He didn't make a peep, didn't cause any trouble. He was simply perfect.
Meanwhile, back at the Obelon Group headquarters, Brandon was trying to tackle a mountain of paperwork.
It wasn't long before Brielle stormed in, with Vesper trailing behind her.
"Brandon, you checked Elijah out of the hospital? Why didn't you tell me?" Brielle demanded the moment she entered. "He wasn't fully recovered, was he? What was the rush?"
Brandon had been deep in a complex document, and the sudden interruption shattered his concentration. He looked up, his expression souring when he saw it was Brielle and Vesper.
"I've found a way to treat him, so naturally, he was discharged," he said, his voice laced with ice. "Next time, could you try knocking before you enter?"
Brielle had the grace to look a little guilty. "I was just so worried... But you said you found a treatment? What is it?"
Her eyes scanned the office, finding no trace of the little boy. "And where is Elijah? Where is he now?"
Brandon set down the file. "He's been sent somewhere he can get the help he needs," he replied coolly. "The point is, Elijah is taken care of. I don't need you to worry. If you have nothing else to do, you can go."
Brielle's face tightened with indignation. "How can I not worry? I'm his grandmother! Where on earth did you send him? Can't I even go see him?"
Brandon had no intention of revealing Elijah's whereabouts. Seeing her press the issue, he shot back, "It's not necessary. Are you that idle? Didn't Grandmother tell you to spend a month at the wellness retreat? Why haven't you gone yet?"
Brielle was taken aback. "With Elijah in this state, how could I possibly leave?" She sputtered.
Brandon offered no sympathy. "And your being here is going to cure him?" He retorted coldly.
Stung by his bluntness yet again, Brielle seethed. Was this really her son? He never took her side. After Opal had forced her to kneel in that dark room for a whole day, her legs had nearly given out. She'd been bedridden for two days just to recover.
She had just started feeling better when she learned Opal's punishment wasn't over—now she was to be exiled to a retreat for a month.
There was no way she was going willingly.
She'd been stalling for a couple of days, hoping Elijah's situation would provide a valid excuse to stay. But Brandon kept bringing it up. Was he that determined to get rid of her? A sense of bitter injustice welled up inside her.
Vesper, ever the supportive friend, quickly interjected. "Brandon, Mrs. Obelon is just worried about Elijah. And so am I. I'm so concerned that I've arranged for a renowned child psychologist to fly in from overseas to see him. He has an incredible track record of helping children with autism—his patients have all made wonderful recoveries. So, please, can't we just see Elijah?"
"No need," Brandon said flatly. "Elijah is already recovering. His condition is stable, and he doesn't require any further psychological intervention."
Vesper was genuinely surprised. That little bastard is getting better already? The news of his breakdown a few days ago had brought her a secret thrill. If Elijah remained withdrawn forever, a permanent recluse, it would be perfect. The Obelon family would surely grow to resent him. Then, when she eventually became pregnant with Brandon's child, her child would be the undisputed heir to the Obelon legacy.
Of course, to keep up appearances, Vesper really had hired a psychologist. She had also, however, bribed him handsomely to just go through the motions and ensure the little brat never actually recovered.
She never imagined that before her plan could even be set in motion, the boy would already be on the mend.
Though disappointed, Vesper plastered on a look of delighted surprise. "Really? Oh, that's wonderful news! I'm so happy to hear Elijah is recovering!"
Her performance went unappreciated.
Brandon just gave her a frigid look. "Vesper, why are you always hanging around my mother? You were the one who told her what happened at the auction, weren't you?"
The color drained from Vesper's face. She hadn't expected him to confront her so directly.
"Brandon, I didn't!" She stammered. "I did call Mrs. Obelon, but I just told her the auction was exciting. I was worried she was bored at the retreat and just wanted to call and chat to cheer her up. I swear I didn't say anything I shouldn't have!"
Brandon snorted. "You know perfectly well what you did. Since the Elikin family refuses to acknowledge Candice's existence, then stop fixating on her. Whatever she does is none of your business. If the Elikin family dares to cause trouble for her again, don't blame me for what comes next."
Vesper turned pale, her mind reeling in disbelief. He was threatening her—for that bitch, Candice! How could he treat her like this?
Brielle, thoroughly brainwashed by Vesper, hadn't blamed her one bit, even after being punished. Instead, the incident at the police station had only deepened her resentment for Candice, whom she blamed for her humiliation and punishment.
She naturally jumped to Vesper's defense. "Vesper didn't tell me anything of the sort! Don't you dare accuse her!"
Brandon merely glanced at his mother. "If you have this much free time, perhaps you should get a brain scan at the hospital. Stop wasting my time."
His patience had evaporated. He pressed the intercom button on his desk. "Knox, come in and show our guests out."
His tone was arctic. Knox appeared almost instantly.
He walked up to the two women, his demeanor anything but polite. "Mrs. Obelon, Ms. Elikin, please leave immediately. Do not disturb Mr. Obelon any further. Otherwise, I'll have to call security to escort you out."