My Mirror Image

Chapter 240

Ivor’s face contorted with fury.

Candice’s heart raced at his menacing demeanor. “What’s this about eight hundred thousand dollars?”

she asked sharply.

She knew nothing nice could come out of Ivor’s mouth.

Ivor sneered but avoided a direct answer, “What’s it to you? I’m only paying my respects to my father–

in–law!”

Candice trembled with rage, biting her lip to restrain her emotions.

Her eyes shifted to Yvonne, who was visibly intimidated, sneaking a glance at Candice before quickly

averting her gaze.

Ivor continued to spew insults at Candice. In a calculated move, he bumped against her shoulder and

stormed off.

Fortunately, Ivor collided with her good side, but he still knocked Candice out of the way.

She stood frozen, feeling a cold dread. Ivor’s nature was vile, and his mention of a specific sum

involving her grandfather was both baffling and alarming. It really concerned her, but she dared not

linger on it too long.

The sound of hurried footsteps caught her attention. Candice looked up to see Yvonne walking past,

her head bowed in submission.

Candice’s gaze darkened, and in a low tone, she called out, “Yvonne!”

Yvonne stopped but didn’t turn to face Candice. Her head remained low, and her shoulders shrank.

Candice stared at her and asked, “What are you doing here?”

Yvonne halted, not turning to face Candice, her posture was meek and defeated.

Candice’s gaze was piercing as she asked, “What brings you here?”

“I-” Yvonne stammered. “What can I do? He is my father, after all.”

“What was Ivor implying?”

“I… I’m not sure…” Yvonne’s response was hesitant, and as she raised her face, Candice saw her red

eyes and fresh bruises over old wounds. It was a harrowing sight.

+15 BONOS

Yvonne met Candice’s eyes, a tumult of conflict and pain evident in her gaze. “I just came to see him.

He’s my father, I never intended any harm.”

From behind, her frail and stooped silhouette was reminiscent of a woman much older, akin to

someone in her sixties or seventies. Yvonne left.

Candice remained outside the ward, waiting for another thirty minutes before the doctors finally

came out.

She quickly walked up to them.

Dr. Brooks wiped the sweat off his forehead and announced, “The patient is stable now. The issue was

due to an emotional spike that caused his blood pressure to rise. We’ll continue to monitor him closely.”

Upon entering the ward, Candice found the elderly man resting peacefully, his eyes shut. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

His hand, with an IV needle inserted, lay gently on the blanket.

Contemplating Ivor’s menacing words, Candice was lost in deep thought.

She stayed by the hospital until the evening, but her grandfather remained asleep the entire time.

Before leaving, she instructed the nurses to keep an eye on him.

Then she headed home, feeling drained from the deal with Aether Corporation still unresolved and Joe

facing a new problem.

Before she could even relax after she got home, Kayla called.

“Candice, I learned that Sonia applied for a half–month business trip to Solaris in a meeting today.”

Candice had just made up her mind to see Hanley, but she paused at the news with knitted brows.

Sonia was still in charge of the contract, but she had abruptly decided to leave town. She clearly

had a hidden agenda.

After a brief reminder, Kayla ended the call.

Candice quickly went to discuss the matter with Hanley, then she and Nadia headed for Aether

Corporation.

Just as she entered the building, her phone rang. It was Alex.

Pausing, Candice answered the call.

Alex’s voice, which was devoid of emotion, came through. “Is this how you handle things?”

+15 BONOS

“What are you referring to?” Candice asked, confused.

With a scoff, Alex ended the call abruptly.

Feeling uneasy about the conversation, Candice informed Nadia and decided to seek out Alex.

At the office entrance, she inevitably encountered Sonia.

Sonia frowned slightly when she saw Candice. “What are you doing here?”

Candice remained silent, bypassing Sonia and heading straight to Alex’s office, leaving Sonia to stare

at the office entrance with an increasingly troubled expression.

In the office, Candice saw Alex’s phone lying discarded on the table. Her expression turned somber,

and her lips formed a firm line. After a brief pause, she offered a quiet apology. “I’m sorry.”

Alex wore a stoic expression. He picked up his phone and quickly skimmed through the messages.

Then he casually placed it back on the table and stated firmly, “Save your excuses.”

Candice wanted to say something but was at a loss for words.

Alex showed her several texts from an unknown number, but it was obviously Ivor’s.

“Pay up! After all the years sleeping with that bitch, you owe us. Pay, or I’ll accuse you of rape!”

*A hundred thousand is peanuts for a businessman like you. Fancy her? I could tie her up and hand

her over for your fun.”

“Motherfucker! You’re the ones that are killing me! If you don’t pay up. I’ll kill you.”

The rest of the messages were filled with unspeakable curses and threats.

“One hundred grand! Quite bold,” Alex commented dryly, his gaze fixed on Candice. “Your stepfather

has quite the nerve.”

Candice’s expression was grim. “How did he even get your number?” she wondered.

“Who knows?” ” Alex responded with a dismissive laugh. “Your mother found her way to my

company, didn’t she?”

Candice was stunned that Ivor would approach Alex for money, especially with such vile and

hateful language. It left her feeling suffocated.

“You could report this,” she suggested shakily. “It’s a clear case of blackmail and threat.”

“Would that really make a difference?” Alex said skeptically.

Candice bit her lip. She knew Ivor’s character too well.

Ivor was a thug who feared nothing. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made trouble so quickly after. being

released.

Alex’s gaze was icy as he addressed Candice. “You may not work for my company anymore, but you’re

still a source of trouble for us.” His eyes were as unyielding as ice. His tone was far from kind as he

stated, “Neither my firm nor I am responsible for cleaning up your messes. A repeat of this incident will

lead to your permanent blacklisting from our dealings.

Candice’s heart sank as she reflected on his final words. The contract between Burning Star Studio

and Aether Corporation remained unsigned.

But Alex had a point, he wasn’t obligated to fix her personal issues.

Candice’s hands balled into fists, her nails digging into her skin. She gave a respectful nod to Alex and

said with a resolute tone. “Mr. Elysian, I apologize for involving Aether Corporation in my personal

affairs.”

Alex’s unreadable gaze fixed on her, and his brows furrowed deeply.

At the same time, in a motel near Silverstone Hospital, the shrill ring of a phone shattered the

quiet.

Ivor grabbed the phone and barked, “Who is it?”

In a split second, his demeanor shifted. His voice softened into an appeasing, cautious tone. “Yes.

I understand. I’m on it. Give me just a few more days. I assure you, the payment will be made. Have I

ever failed to repay a debt?”

After hanging up, he kicked an old chair out of frustration.

“These scum keep nagging like they’re after my life! Damn, why is this minion acting so high and

mighty?”

He continued to rant.

Yvonne held Peach in her arms. She was too terrified to speak.

Ivor abruptly turned toward them. He flung the remote control at Yvonne’s head, shouting aggressively.

“Slut! Have you contacted the people I asked you to?”