My Mirror Image

Chapter 207

Joe’s operation was set for early Friday morning.

Unable to sleep, Candice arrived at the hospital in the middle of the night, choosing to stay by her

grandfather’s side.

Dr. Sui had repeatedly warned her about not having unrealistic expectations due to Joe’s deteriorating

health and increased risk factors.

Candice was aware of this, yet she also recognized her grandfather’s desire not to live his remaining

days in a state of confusion.

She found Joe still asleep upon reaching the ward. Not wanting to disturb his rest, Candice waited

outside the room.

Joe woke up around six in the morning, with his surgery being the first on the schedule.

Due to the anesthesia, he had been fasting since the evening before. Candice, keeping her

composure, moistened his lips with a cotton swab dipped in water.

Looking into her grandfather’s clouded, weary eyes, she offered a soft smile and whispered

reassurances. “Don’t worry. Dr. Sui is highly skilled. Just sleep, and it will all be over soon.”

Her grandfather struggled to speak to her but managed to say with difficulty, “Don’t…worry.”

Stunned, Candice masked the emotions in her eyes. She lowered her eyes, gently squeezed his

hand, and brought out a talisman. “Look, I brought you a talisman,” she said, holding it up to Joe.

Her eyes reddened, but she fought back her emotions, not letting them show.

Joe seemed to sense her emotional state. He gently touched the talisman, and his lips moved

silently.

The surgery was expected to last five to six hours. Candice was taken to the waiting area outside the

operating room.

As Joe was being taken into surgery, Candice received a call from Hanley. She stood in the waiting

area, fixated on the operating room door as she spoke on the phone. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Hanley’s deep voice came through. “Has Joe entered the operating room?”

He had known about Candice’s overnight vigil and had intended to join her, but work

commitments held him back.

“Just now.” Candice responded.

Hanley avoided empty consolations and asked, “Joe can eat regular food now, right? Should I ask

Mrs. Jenkins to prepare some soup for him post–surgery?”

Candice, momentarily forgetting this detail, replied thoughtfully, “I’ll give Mrs. Jenkins the money.

It’s nice to have her help.”

Their conversation shifted to other matters, providing a distraction for Candice until Hanley had to

attend to his work duties.

Meanwhile, the WhatsApp group was abuzz with everyone worried about Candice’s situation.

After responding briefly, Candice set her phone aside. Her attention returned to the operating

room, a mix of anxiety and apprehension in her heart.

The room felt suffocating, as if devoid of air, intensifying her discomfort.

Fearing that the doctor might need her, Candice dared not leave.

Unexpectedly, she received a call from the nurse center asking her to pack Joe’s belongings as he

would be moved to the ICU post–surgery.

Candice went to pack her grandfather’s things. Afterwards, she walked over to the nurse center

for an update about his condition, and ran into Helen.

Helen appeared to be troubled and occupied with her own paperwork.

It was an inpatient department, and Candice realized that Helene must also be a resident patient.

Candice stopped briefly when she saw Helen, surprised at her presence in the hospital. However,

she quickly dismissed any concern about Helen’s well–being.

Helen’s expression changed to one of disgust when she saw Candice.

“Candice, you’re quite the character,” she said coldly. “I hear your grandfather is also here. What are

you trying to do? You see us here, and suddenly have no regard for your grandfather?”

Candice gave Helen a cold glance and chose not to respond. Her focus was on Joe’s surgery, and she

had no interest in engaging in futile arguments with Helen.

But Helen’s irritation grew as she saw Candice’s indifference. She slammed down her paperwork,

her eyes filled with scorn as she looked at Candice.

“Why the facade? Didn’t you get Alex to pull strings for you? I have no idea what shady tactics your

used, but since you’ve benefited, stop acting like you’re so high and mighty. Are you expecting my

praise for playing both sides?”

Helen had always taken pride in being a member of high society and being educated, but her

behavior was vicious.

Candice’s brows twitched as she looked coldly at Helen. “Mrs. Elysian, I suggest you be careful

with your words. Bad mouthing others could bring you misfortune.”

Helen froze when she heard this and grew even more annoyed. “The one who will suffer in the future

remains to be seen,” she muttered through clenched teeth and glared at Candice.

Candice sneered coldly and handed her belongings to the nurse.

Helen, despite her temper, was not the sort of person who would cause a public scene. Her previous

remarks had been delivered in hushed tones which Candice could hear. No one in the

vicinity heard their short exchange.

Candice was ready to leave after finishing her business at the nurse center, but Helen called out to her

in a commanding tone, “Stop right there.”

She turned around, calmly asking. “What is it?”

“Bring my luggage to my room,” she demanded.

Candice looked at the suitcase beside Helen and replied coolly. “Mrs. Elysian, I no longer work for

Aether Corporation. You’ve given your order to the wrong person.”

“Candice, don’t be ungrateful,” she threatened. “If it hadn’t been for Alex-

“It was Alex who helped me, not you,” Candice said.

She noticed a figure approaching Helen from behind. It was Alex.

He was towering and commanding. He had just gotten off the phone, and his demeanor was neutral

when he looked at Candice.

Upon meeting his eye, Candice turned away and headed back to the operating room. Today was an

important day for her grandfather, and she refused to waste any more time on this encounter.

Helen watched Candice leave and turned her sneer toward Alex. “Satisfied now?”

Alex’s face gave nothing away. He thought for a moment, then responded nonchalantly, “Satisfied.

with what?”

+15 BONOS

Helen’s face grew colder, but she said nothing else. She entered her hospital room after picking up her

completed form. As she passed Alex, she said, “You know exactly what I’m talking about!”