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Elio's deep voice softly pronounced her name. "Candice."
Perplexed, Candice responded, "Yes?"
"Candice," he called out once more.
"I'm here, right beside you. What's wrong?" Candice replied patiently.
"Candice, Candice..." Elio's voice grew heavier, infused with a sense of desolation. As he continued, his eyes reddened further,
his gaze gradually drifting away. Observing Elio's condition, Candice felt utterly bewildered.
She had been by his side the whole time, so why was he repeatedly calling her name without providing any further explanation?
Was he intoxicated?
With a bitter twist to his lips, Elio struggled to speak, his words slow and labored. "Ca... Can... dice."
Concern etched on her face, Candice leaned closer. Meeting his gaze, she reassured him. "I'm here."
Elio stole a glance at her, offering a faint smile before reclining further back on the sofa. With his eyes closed, he murmured,
"You've intruded into my dreams once more." "What?" Candice couldn't quite grasp his meaning. Intrigued, she leaned in closer
and asked, "Elio, what are you trying to tell me?"
"Candice."
"Why do you keep calling my name? Just tell me what's on your mind!" Candice urged, growing impatient.
"C... an... dice."
Candice's words sliced through the air as she exclaimed, "You're seriously drunk!" before quickly retreating into the bedroom.
With urgency, she grabbed her phone and dialed Sean's number. Sean answered the call sluggishly, his voice still heavy with
sleep.
A surge of guilt washed over Candice as she began, "I apologize for disturbing you, Mr. Lowe, but it appears that Mr. Hoffis is
intoxicated.
"He's currently seated in the living room with his clothing soaked through. I'm genuinely worried he might become ill."

"What? Mr. Hoffis is drunk?" Sean exclaimed, caught off guard.
Wasn't Elio perfectly fine when he was dropped off at the hotel just a short while ago? How had he managed to become
intoxicated and still not changed out of his wet attire? With a touch of apprehension, Candice elaborated, "Yes, once he saw me,
he kept calling my name, as if he had something important to convey but couldn't articulate it.
"It seems the alcohol has muddled his thoughts, and I doubt he'll even bother changing out of his wet clothes. Could you please
come over and lend a hand?"
"Absolutely. I'll head over right away," Sean assured, swiftly abandoning his bed and rushing over in his pajamas.
As the doorbell chimed, Candice hurried to answer it.
Upon entering, Sean was greeted by the sight of Elio still clad in his soaked garments. Witnessing his inebriated state stirred
Sean's compassion.
Approaching gently, he draped an arm around Elio's shoulders, guiding him toward the bedroom.
Setting her phone aside, Candice joined in, taking hold of Elio's other arm.
Accompanied by Sean, they assisted Elio into his room and carefully laid him down on the spacious bed.
As Sean straightened up, he couldn't help but exchange a glance with Candice.
Intrigued, Candice inquired, "Wasn't he meant to attend the banquet? How did he end up so intoxicated and drenched? Didn't he
have an umbrella?" Sean struggled to find a plausible explanation.
While he understood Elio's sentiments, he was aware that disclosing even a hint of them was off-limits.
After all, the relationship between Elio and Candice was intricate, with hardly any chance of them being together.
Furthermore, Elio had his own considerations-matters that Sean wasn't at liberty to discuss.
Skirting around Candice's inquiry, Sean respectfully proposed, "Ms Candice, would you mind stepping out for a moment? I'll
assist Mr. Hoffis in changing out of his damp clothes."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Candice quickly complied, saying, "Of course. Please take care of him. I'll retire to bed
now."
With that, Candice exited Elio's room and closed the door behind her.
A palpable weight settled in her heart as she made her way back to her own room.
Despite reclining on her bed, sleep continued to elude her.
Restlessly, she tossed and turned, the passing minutes feeling endless.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Confirming Sean's departure, Candice swiftly threw off the covers and left the bed, her
steps hesitant as she ventured out of the room. en.swhovels.net
The living room lay shrouded in darkness, except for the light spilling from Elio's room, casting Candice in its glow.
Standing stationary by the door, her heart felt unsettled despite Elio being merely a wall's distance away.
With worry consuming her, Candice felt an overwhelming urge to check on him.
Despite her concern, she lingered outside for what felt like an eternity, unable to summon the courage to enter.
She found herself wrestling with a sense of unworthiness regarding her care for him.
Although Elio held disdain for her and rejected being called "Mr. Hoffis", their familial bonds were an undeniable truth.

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