My Mirror Image

Chapter 241

Yvonne looked up in despair, pleading. “No, no, we cannot do it. It’s wrong.” She clutched Peach, her

voice raspy from constant crying. “God would punish us for something like that. Can’t we find another

solution? I’ll beg Candy. She won’t abandon us. Please, Ivor, don’t do this. I’m begging

you!”

Yvonne let go of Peach and knelt down before Ivor.

Ivor kicked her in the face. He spat and scoffed, “Worried about divine punishment? I’m more worried

about being dismembered for my debts! Your dying father can still be of use to us. We’re

his family!”

Yvonne covered her face, tears streaming down her face. She was speechless and shook her

head in despair.

Ivor’s anger intensified. He grabbed Yvonne by her hair and pulled her up. “It’s all because of your

daughter. Without her, I wouldn’t be in this mess!”

Peach sat numbly on the bed, unresponsive to the turmoil around her.

After shouting his frustration, Ivor grabbed his phone and walked out of the room, but not before. giving

Yvonne another kick.

Because Sonia was intentionally stalling the contract, Candice had had to make frequent trips to Aether

Corporation for the past couple of days.

Sonia was clearly playing games. Despite visiting, she refused to budge.

As they exited the meeting room, Nadia looked exhausted. “We need to sign by the end of the month,

or we won’t have time for the necessary preparations,” she said.

Candice was fully aware of the urgency. She had been visiting Aether Corporation almost every day

because of this.

Design plans required time, and they couldn’t proceed with sourcing materials and selecting sites -all

time–intensive tasks–until they had secured investment.

“Let’s find another way,” Candice said. “Aether Corporation is also collaborating with Blue Artifact. They

can’t afford not to sign. It would look bad for their partner too.”

“Hopefully.” Nadia agreed.

+15 RONOS

As Candice exited the elevator, she encountered Alex and Sawyer entering the building.

After not seeing Alex in days, she halted when she saw him, Candice asked Nadia to wait for her.

She paused briefly before calling out to Alex. He looked back at her.

Gathering herself, she approached and quietly asked Alex, “Is Ivor still troubling you?”

Alex had just returned from a meeting and exuded a commanding presence. He looked at Candice,

and after a moment, his expression turned slightly irritated. “What do you think?”

Ivor was persistent as a leech. It was hard to get rid of him.

Candice was about to reply when her phone rang..

It was the nurse from the hospital. Candice took the call.

“Ms. Renault, those two have returned, and they’re trying to forcibly discharge the patient. We can’t

stop them!”

Candice’s eyes widened. She quickly ended the call. She turned back to face Alex. Her voice was

steely and resolute as she assured, “Don’t worry, he won’t be a problem for much longer.”

Alex watched her leave, his frowning slightly. Candice walked away before he could answer.

Outside, Nadia was on a call. Seeing Candice, she relayed, “Candice, the boss is at Blue Artifact

and wants us there now.”

Candice cut her off, “I have to go to the hospital. My grandfather’s in trouble.” She paused then. added,

“You go ahead in the car. I’ll find a taxi.”

Candice ran away while Nadia was still processing her words.

Aether Corporation was in the science and technology precinct, and was usually a hotspot for taxis. It

wasn’t yet the end of the workday, however, and Candice found herself waiting longer than

usual for a cab.

Candice was about to call for a ride through her phone app when a sleek black Maybach halted in front

of her. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

The window slid down to reveal Alex’s sharply defined jaw. His hand rested casually on the steering

wheel. “Get in,” he commanded impatiently.

After a moment of surprise, Candice got into the car.

SONOUSI

Her shoulder was still not totally functional, so she struggled with the seatbelt.

Alex gave a quiet tut of annoyance. He leaned over, his cold scent enveloping the space, as he took

Candice’s seat belt and buckled it for her.

Candice only realized what had happened after he returned to his seat. She pursed her lips slightly and

softly said, “Thank you.”

“Just saving time.” Alex responded, his voice still emotionless.

His jacket was off, revealing a shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbows.

Candice noticed the scar on his forearm again and bit her lip. “You don’t need to take me. I can

manage with a taxi.”

“Take you?” Alex’s voice held a hint of mockery before turning serious. “You think I’d let Ivor intimidate

me? He’s hardly worth my attention.”

Candice was at a loss for words. After all, Ivor was truly despicable.

The true depth of Ivor’s malice became clear upon their arrival at the hospital.

The corridor leading to Joe’s room was abuzz, with patients and their families peering curiously.

Candice’s expression was frosty as she approached. Ivor’s loud complaints were easily audible.

I

“What’s this nonsense? I’m his son–in–law; why can’t I handle his discharge? This hospital’s

incompetent. We don’t need you! Heartless people!”

Candice marched in. “By what right are you discharging my grandfather?” Candice asked icily.”

What do you think you are?”

Ivor spotted Candice. “Motherfucker! Keep out of this!”

“Why haven’t you called the police?” Candice asked the doctor.

–

He frowned and explained that because they were family, the staff could only recommend against

the discharge.

Candice then confronted Yvonne. “Will you just watch him wreak havoc? How much more does. Joe

have to endure for your sake? You’re his daughter, not his enemy. Can’t you leave him be? Can’t you

leave me be?” Her tone intensified with each word.

Candice looked at her mother, who was standing tearfully and confusedly behind Ivor. A mix of

sadness and anger welled within Candice.

“I owe you nothing,” she declared. “You gave birth to me, but the money I’ve provided you over the

years should end any unnecessary blood ties between us

Yvonne stood silently behind Ivor. Fear and uncertainty overcame her.

She eventually collapsed to the ground, clutching her head and sobbing uncontrollably as tears

streamed down her face.