Chapter 91


    Candice’s direct questioning caused Yvonne to tense up. She awkwardly fidgeted with Peach’s


    clothes.


    Observing this, Candice asked with a stern expression, “Has he been abusing you and Peach?”


    She noticed not only the marks on Yvonne’s face but also the faint bruises on Peach’s neck,


    partially


    concealed by her Cor.


    Initially hesitant, Yvonne, encouraged by Peach’s expectant gaze, confessed through tears, “It’s


    not always like this. He just had too much to drink the other day and ended up bumping into me.”


    Candice, frowning deeply, probed further, “Did he coerce you into giving him the money, or did


    you willingly


    give it to him?”


    Yvonne, visibly struggling, finally murmured, “Peach is so young.”


    Candice silently regarded her.


    Yvonne’s once upright posture now sagged, her hands on the table quivering as though weighed


    down by


    immense pain.


    Sensing her mother’s distress, Peach started to weep. Yvonne quickly dried her tears and soothed


    her.


    After calming Peach, Yvonne cast a nce at Candice, then looked away.


    Candice, carefully watching her mother’s expressions, was piecing together the truth. She was


    about to confront Yvonne further when her phone rang, interrupting her speech.


    Yvonne’s phone, a model from an unknown brand, had a screen with several cracks.


    The moment the call connected, an angry man’s voice bellowed out, “Where the fuck have you


    been? I’m starving to death here. Are you out there squandering money on that money pit


    again?”


    Due to the phone’s poor sound istion, his loud and clear voice was fully audible to Candice, who


    heard


    every word.


    Yvonne was embarrassed. She whispered as she hastily covered the phone, “Ivor, Peach is your


    child too!”


    Ivor Dawson, on the other end, grew more furious. “I don’t acknowledge such a worthless


    daughter! Come back soon, or you’ll make mete for work this afternoon!”


    Yvonne’splexion changed, and she asked, “You’re gambling again? Peach needs her shots


    next week!”


    But Ivor had already disconnected the call.


    Visibly upset, she buried her face in Peach’s neck. Her shoulders were shaking.


    Blinked, Peach asked innocently, “Mommy, is it okay if I don’t get the shot?”


    Yvonne, momentarily taken aback, regained herposure and softly instructed Peach to y near


    the


    flowerbed.


    +15 BONOS


    As Peach obediently walked away, Yvonne’s eyes followed her every move.


    Candice watched the entire scene unfold.


    Eventually, Yvonne’s gaze returned to Candice, her eyes reflecting a turmoil of emotions and she


    settled into a resigned, bitter smile.


    “Do you think I’m lying to you all?”


    Candice remained silent.


    Yvonne went on, “He wasn’t always like this. He was kind to me and Peach once, but everything


    changed


    when Peach fell ill…”


    Struggling to speak further, she wiped away her tears and exined, “He lost his job, then got into


    gambling. If I don’t give him the money, they’ll kill him.”


    “You’re allowing him to use Peach’s treatment funds?” Candice inquired, her voice steady and her


    expression


    devoid of emotion.


    Yvonne ceased speaking andpsed into silence.


    She rubbed her hands anxiously, then hesitantly met Candice’s gaze. “I know I shouldn’t, but could


    you spare an additional 5,000 dors for Peach’s treatment next week?”


    As she spoke, she raised her hand, emphasizing, “I assure you, this is a loan from you, and I will


    repay it.”


    Seemingly worried Candice might doubt her, Yvonne offered, “I can even write an IOU for you.”


    Candice sat immobile, as if she did not know her mother.


    She remembered her mother as a gentle, beautiful, and resilient woman. However, the woman in


    front of her appeared weary, emitting an air of desperate resignation and scheming.


    Yvonne looked at Candice as though she were herst hope, her voice shaky. “Peach is also your


    sister, isn’t


    she?”


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Candice felt a choking sensation, as if her nerves had been severed.


    “Lex, sorry to have youe all this way.”


    A man’s soothing voice and footsteps came from behind.


    Startled, Candice was about to turn around, but Alex’s detached voice came through. “I was just


    passing by.”


    As she turned, Candice saw Alex and another man walking toward her.


    Alex, noticing Candice, came to a halt, his brow furrowed, and his eyes turned to Yvonne behind


    her.


    Feeling utterly exposed, Candice clenched her hand as Yvonne pressed on, “Candy, with your well–


    paying job, five thousand isn’t a significant amount, right? You wouldn’t let your sister be without her


    medicine, would


    you?”


    Words stuck in Candice’s throat as she overheard Alex let out a light scoff.


    213:


    +15 BONOS


    Candice’s hand tightened, her fingernails digging into her palm. She heard herself say, “I can give


    you the


    money.”


    Yvonne let out a relieved sigh, but before she could say more, Candice continued, “However, if this


    money goes to him again, I’ll call the cops.”


    Their conversation, initially meant for privacy in a quiet corner of the garden, now echoed clearly in


    the confined space.


    Feeling Alex’s steady gaze on her, Candice took a deep breath and stood up, bag in hand.


    Yvonne also rose, her voice soft as she asked, “When will you send the money?”


    Feeling a heaviness in her head and a tightness in her chest, Candice stepped back to regain her


    bnce


    before impulsively transferring the money to Yvonne.


    From behind, the man who had been with Alex earlier called out, “Lex? How about we grab lunch


    together?”


    Alex hummed affirmatively and headed toward his friend.


    Meanwhile, Peach, ying near the flowerbed, was terrified when she spotted Alex’s expression.


    She instinctively stepped back without seeing the flower pot behind her, resulting in a collision.


    Everyone in attendance was shocked by the loudness.


    Yvonne was the quickest to react, rushing past Candice to reach Peach.


    Candice, pushed aside, stumbled a few steps before stabilizing herself.


    Soon, Peach’s dyed cries filled the air, and Yvonne tenderly embraced her, whispering soothing


    words.


    Candice watched them, somewhat dazed.


    It urred to her that Yvonne had not lost her gentleness; she had simply reserved it exclusively for


    Peach.


    Feeling like there was a knot in her chest, making it hard to breathe, Candice quietly observed for a


    moment before deciding to leave.


    However, just as she was about to walk away, a teasing voice came from behind, “Lex, ying the


    monster today, aren’t you? Scaring everyone?”