My Mirror Image

Chapter 210

Candice’s first call to Alex rang out, so she decided to try once more after a short wait.

The second time, the call was answered swiftly, but not by Alex.

Instead, Sawyer was on the line. “Hello, who’s this? Mr. Elysian is currently busy and can’t take calls.

May I pass on a message?”

A faint buzz of sound could be heard in the background. Candice asked hesitatingly, “Is Alex tied up

with something?”

Recognizing it was Candice, Sawyer moved to a quieter spot before softly replying. “Do you need

to speak with Mr. Elysian? We are at a wine–tasting event right now, and he’s engaged with some

Solaris representatives.”

“A wine–tasting event in the morning?” Candice asked in confusion. “Aren’t those usually held in

the evenings?”

“The Solaris group has to leave this afternoon, so the event was scheduled for the morning,” Sawyer

explained. “If it’s urgent, I can get Mr. Elysian for you.”

Candice thought for a moment and then decided against it. “No, that’s all right.”

Candice sat in her car after hanging up.

She had intended to confront Alex about why he paid for her grandfather’s expenses, but suddenly

it seemed irrelevant.

Returning to the hospital, she spoke with Dean Schmidt about the situation, requesting that Alex’s

payment be refunded.

Dean Schmidt, acknowledging her resolve, agreed to process the refund, though he warned her about

the complications involved. He promised to sort it out at the bank the following day.

“Thank you,” Candice said.

She lingered at the hospital for a while longer before leaving in the afternoon. She realized it was the

earliest she had departed from the hospital in recent times.

Alex still hadn’t gotten back to her. She was curious whether Sawyer had mentioned her phone

call to him.

Unexpectedly, she received a call from Jackson instead.

“Candy, I’m back in Dorrington,” he said. “I’m already on my way to the hospital.”

“Why not head home first?” Candice asked, surprised.

+15 BONOS

Jackson was always considerate. “I want to see Joe first. I’ve been quite worried about him.” Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Candice did not object. Despite having arrived at the parking lot, she returned to the hospital to wait for

Jackson.

In a short while Jackson showed up with a suitcase. He appeared to have arrived directly from the

airport. Despite the fatigue on his face, his concern was evident.

His voice was slightly raspy but warm when he spoke. “You’ve lost quite a bit of weight, haven’t you?”

It appeared Candice’s weight loss had not gone unnoticed by those around her. She simply replied,

“I’m fine.”

He offered a comforting sigh. “Things will get better.”

Candice held onto this belief–that things would indeed improve.

She escorted Jackson to the intensive care unit. They could only peek through the doorway.

Jackson appeared hesitant, his worry clear as he looked at Candice. “I just returned from Fesa. It’s a

pleasant place, and many of my older relatives live there. If you like, we can take your grandfather

there.”

Candice nodded in agreement and said, “I’ll take him there once he’s better.”

They spent about fifteen minutes at the hospital before leaving.

Since Jackson had rushed to the hospital from the airport, Candice drove him home.

Once Jackson was dropped off, Candice made her way back to the villa.

The villa was deserted today. Various documents were scattered across the living room table, their

untidiness indicative of what seemed like a hurried departure.

The vastness of the villa echoed with an unsettling silence.

Candice fixed herself a bowl of pasta and then retreated to her bedroom.

As she entered her room, her phone began to ring. Candice expected it to be Alex, and was

surprised to see an unknown number.

She accepted the call, frowning. She heard some rustling sounds followed by a timid, childlike

voice saying, “Candy?”

It was Peach.

Candice immediately felt that something was wrong but gently probed, “Why did you call me?”

Peach’s voice quivered with fear and tears. “I’m scared, Candy. So scared.”

Candice’s worry grew as she asked, “Where is Mom?”

“Mom and Dad are fighting. Dad wants to sell me, so Mom hid me at my aunt’s house.” Peach’s

voice was filled with terror. “Candy, I don’t want to be sold, I don’t want to be anyone’s bride.”

Candice felt a cold shudder run through her.

Yvonne had warned that without the required sum, Ivor might sell Peach. She had held back the funds

after learning from Greg that Peach was safe in the hospital. Candice hadn’t expected Ivor

to be so cruel as to sell his own daughter.

She shut her eyes and steadying her racing heart.

Candice consoled Peach, “Don’t worry, you’re safe at your aunt’s, right? Just stay there.”

“Sister, will you come to get me?” Peach asked, a glimmer of hope in her voice.

Candice couldn’t give her an answer, and they ended the call.

Candice felt a shudder run down her spine as she sat on her bed, but she didn’t instantly transfer the

money to Yvonne.

Instead, she called Greg. Her mind was haunted by Peach’s pleading voice and Yvonne’s greedy

behavior.

Greg didn’t answer her call, but after a few minutes he called her back.

Candice listened to Greg’s grave words.

“Ivor has indeed borrowed money. Some thugs are after him for repayment. What your sister

described could very well be true.”

“How could they do this?!” Candice demanded, outraged. The thought of Ivor trafficking his

daughter was horrifying.

“Some people have no morals when money is involved, and these thugs have the support of a larger

criminal network,” Greg said. He paused, then suggested. “You could ask Alex for help. He had me

monitoring Ivor, and just now-

Candice frowned, confused as Greg cut himself off and abruptly ended the conversation.

Greg frowned as he hung up, recalling Alex’s directive to keep Candice uninformed.

Before calling Candice, he had notified Alex. He found Alex’s request to keep Candice in the dark.

surprising.

In Noxville. Yvonne hid in a public phone booth, holding Peach in her arms.

She clutched Peach closely, her lips pallid and her face bruised. Her clothing was ripped and filthy.

“Peach, Mommy won’t let you be sold,” she murmured quietly. “I guarantee it. I’d fight to the bitter

end to keep you safe.”