apter 27 Hitching a Ride Landing a Job
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Chapter 27 Hitching a Ride, Landing a Job
“I’ve already called a car.”
“Just cancel it.”
Jim got out of the car, smiling cheerfully. Without giving her a chance to refuse, he grabbed her suitcase and placed it in the trunk.
If it weren’t for the luxury car, passersby might’ve thought Candice was getting mugged.
Jim opened the backseat door for her. “Come on, don’t be shy. It’s on the way.”
Candice was a little embarrassed by his enthusiasm. Having an elder open the car door for her–she really couldn’t turn it down. So she politely thanked him and got in the car.
The moment she got in, she saw Charlie sitting on the other side.
He wasn’t dressed too formally today–light blue shirt, black trousers and leather shoes. No tie, but his cufflinks sparkled. Bathed in the bluish light filtering through the tinted window, he exuded a kind of crisp, noble air that reminded her of a pale blue flower blooming on a mountaintop–beautiful, rare, and distant.
“Morning.”
Candice greeted him while adjusting the hem of her trench coat.
There was no way they could actually touch from this distance, but still, she instinctively wanted to keep even more space
between them.
Charlie gave her a slight nod.
His expression was cool.
Like a polite king graciously responding to his enthusiastic subjects.
Candice pressed her lips together.
Fine.
His gentle and modest demeanor was a mask for public appearances–his true nature was aloof and proud. But he was born with
a silver spoon, after all. A little arrogance was expected. At least he had good character.
Thanks to the “life–saving benefactor” filter, she now found herself willing to overlook all his other flaws.
The car restarted and pulled onto the road.
Candice looked down at her phone, canceled her ride–hailing order (paying a small f*e), and glanced at the driver’s number.
It wasn’t the same one as earlier…
Just as she was thinking that, the number called again. This time, she hung up without hesitation.
“Going on a trip?”
A deep, smooth voice came from beside her.
Candice instinctively turned her head and answered without thinking, “Yes.”
“Where to?”
“Iceland.”
He was asking in such detail–he must be bored.
Chapter 27 Hitching a Rice, Landing a Job
She assumed that would be the end of the conversation, just polite small talk. But he added, “That’s pretty far.”
..Yeah, it is,” Candice nodded in agreement.
+25 BONUS
(Inner monologue): Seriously? You’re a rich kid who studied abroad since you were little, and you’re acting like you’ve never seen the world?
“Was this planned in advance, or a spontaneous decision?” Charli asked casually, his tone even carrying a touch of friendliness.
Candice answered smoothly, “Of course it was
She stopped mid–sentence.
Suddenly remembered–she had just applied for a job with him no long ago…
A woman who had a pre–booked vacation to Iceland… applying for a full–time role?
Her expression turned awkward as she silently prayed he wouldn’t connect the dots.
But the sudden shift in his expression–from warm to distant–told her he had connected them.
No! He’d set a trap and she just walked into it!
As if on cue, Jerry, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, added fuel to the fire: “So, Miss Hale, does this mean you’ve decided not to pursue the job anymore?”
יין.
Candice nearly face–planted. Flustered and a little aggrieved, she mumbled, “I was going to cancel the trip if I got the job. But Mr. Clemens rejected me…”
She really had intended to cancel it if she got the Chief Secretary position. A vacation was nice, but if she got the job, she’d
definitely adjust her plans.
“What if I changed my mind?”
It was Charlie who spoke this time, calm and serious.
Candice’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean… I’m hired?”
Now? Just as she was headed to the airport?
Charlie didn’t answer her directly. Instead, he smirked slightly, “Weren’t you going on a trip?”
But I haven’t left yet!
“I can cancel it. I can start anytime,” Candice straightened up immediately. This kind of opportunity was not to be missed.
“Anytime?”
“Anytime!” she replied with certainty.
“I just said Iceland was too far,” Charlie said, his smile widening.
He gave a look to Jerry. Picking up on the cue, Jerry chimed in, “Miss Hale, that’s great to hear. If you’re starting today, once we board the plane, I’ll walk you through the business trip schedule.”
Candice felt a little dizzy.
How did hitching a ride turn into landing a job?
It was surreal, but she adapted quickly. “Okay. We still have some time before the flight–why don’t you send me the schedule now?”
2/3
Chapter 22 Hitching a Richs, Landing a Job
Jerry chuckled, “No rush.”
Candice nodded.
While they spoke, her silenced phone vibrated again. Several missil calls. She saw that Sophia had also called.
She turned slightly and called back. “Sophia?”
“Kyle found out your flight info. He’s on his way to the airport right now!” Sophia sald anxiously on the other end.
+25 BONUS
“That lunatic’s lost it. Candice, maybe you should turn around and hide out somewhere.”
“I’ll think about it,” Candice said, rubbing her temples.
After hanging up, she looked out the window. Her mood, like the scenery outside, sank into something damp and cold, like an autumn drizzle–melancholy and powerless.
The car was quiet. Everyone had clearly heard her call with Sophia.
Charlie said nothing.
Jim, feeling sympathetic, tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry. The young master has a private jet. The car can drive right into the hangar–he won’t be able to find you.”
Candice’s face lit up. “That’s great!”
Why hadn’t she thought of that? She was traveling with the crown prince now!
Charlie gave her a sidelong glance. “Candice, you’ve really made something of yourself.”
Candice: “…”
“3
Kyle didn’t find Candice at the airport. Nor could he find her boarding information. He thought she had changed her mind and left the airport, unaware that she had already boarded Charlie’s private jet.
The cabin was spacious and comfortable.
Temperature perfect, scented with a clean, fresh aroma.
When the plane took off, the brief moment of weightlessness felt like a cold hand unexpectedly clenching Candice’s heart.
She leaned toward the window, gazing down at the shrinking terminal, picturing Kyle’s ‘rage and frustration—his veins bulging, on the brink of losing it. The image made her chuckle… but there was a trace of sadness in her eyes too.
Once the plane leveled out, the flight attendant brought them a lavish breakfast.
Candice didn’t have much of an appetite and only picked at the food.
Then she stared blankly out at the clouds.
“Candice,” Charlie’s voice came again, smooth and steady. “If you keep looking this torn, I might not even bother with your onboarding paperwork.”
