Chapter 209


    ICU visiting times were scheduled for the afternoon, and with Joe having just undergone surgery. visits


    were currently prohibited to minimize risk of infection.


    Having dealt with all necessary formalities, Candice found herself with nothing much to do. She had


    intended to spend another night at the hospital, but to her surprise. Yana appeared that


    evening.


    Yana didn’t forgo her high heels, even for a hospital visit. She was short, and she imed they


    gave her a moremanding presence.


    As soon as Yana arrived, she frowned at Candice and said. “You look awful. No wonder Hanley


    sent me to take you out to eat.”


    Candice felt her face. “I’m fine.” she said softly.


    “You’re anything but fine. You look worn out,” Yana said, shaking her head. “Have you eaten


    dinner?”


    In her worry about her grandfather’s operation, Candice hadn’t eaten anything all day.


    “Unbelievable, both of you,” Yana said under her breath.


    She firmly grasped Candice’s hand. “Let’s go for dinner. You can’t visit your grandpa now, so it’s better


    to take care of yourself. Don’t run yourself down to the point of needing care when he gets


    better.”


    Candice allowed Yana to guide her, recognizing the wisdom in her words.


    Yana was used to luxury. She wasn’t impressed by the modest restaurants near the hospital so she


    drove Candice to amercial district in the city center.


    They entered a Mexican restaurant. Yana cheerfully mentioned. “This is a friend’s ce, just opened


    yesterday.”


    Candice wasn’t particr about food and left the decisions to Yana.


    While they waited for their order, Yana’s phone buzzed on the table. ncing at it, she clicked her


    tongue and grumbled, “What’s with Sieg, always bugging me these days?”


    Candice nced up and asked, “What about him?”


    “He invited me to go hiking this weekend. Who in their right mind would go hiking in this heat?”


    Yanamented, rolling her eyes.


    +15 BONOS


    Candice said nothing as she didn’t particrly like or know Sieg well.


    Yana seemed to remember something, looking at Candice with a mix of concern and resolution. I’ve


    been wanting to exin something,” she started, recalling the first time she met Candice with Hanley.


    “My family set up a blind date for me with Alex. He’s attractive and appears like an excellent candidate


    for pleasing my family.”


    Yana watched Candice’s reaction as she spoke. She was aware of the conflict between Candice. Alex,


    and Sieg, having heard about it from friends. They belonged to the same social circle.


    She was also aware of Candice’s history with Alex, a fact that had initially surprised her, but she


    chose not to mention it due to her sincere fondness for Candice.


    She also hoped Hanley would try harder to win Candice’s heart.


    Yana had a candid disposition, and she struggled to withhold her thoughts. She feltpelled to


    exin to Candice, especially because she had already asked insensitively whether Candice was


    Alex’s kept woman, a remark she regretted and wanted to apologize for.


    Listening to Yana, Candice showed little reaction. She simply nodded and acknowledged, “Alex is


    the type elders prefer.”


    She had no double meaning. She truly believed Alex was exceptional among his peers.


    It was why Helen had been adamantly opposed to Candice and Alex’s rtionship. She had


    always hoped to pair her son with someone of simr social standing, such as Yana.


    Yana pouted and whined, “It seems like you’re the only one who sees him as a suitable partner.


    Suitable? Hardly. That man is a jerk, nowhere near Hanley’s caliber.”


    Candice listened to Yana’s constant chatter in silence, contributing little to the conversation


    herself.


    Post–dinner, her n was to head back to the hospital, but Yana forcibly guided her into the car


    and drove her back to the vi.


    Yana quickly departed when she received a phone call after dropping her off.


    Entering the vi, Hanley came to greet her.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    “You’ve returned from the hospital?”


    “Yes,” she replied. “Was it you who sent Yana to the hospital for me?”


    Hanley lookedposed and nodded slightly. “I intended to visit this afternoon but was tied up with a


    work emergency.”


    +15 BONOS


    “I see, it wasn’t necessary to bother you,” Candice replied. She walked in.


    Inside, she greeted Nadia and others gathered in the living room before retiring to her room for


    some rest.


    Hanley trailed into the living room after Candice.


    Nadia was somewhat startled. “Is everything okay with Candice? She seems down.”


    Hanley lowered his gaze, paused for a bit before answering, “She’s probably just tired.”


    Candice was drained. Shey in bed after her nighttime routine but couldn’t sleep. Her mind was nk.


    She stared into the darkness, unable to think of anything.


    In the early hours, unable to sleep, she decided to organize her belongings. Her house was now fixed


    and ready for her to move in.


    Later in the day she went to the hospital where Dr. Brooks informed her that Joe had no negative


    responses overnight and was stable. He only needed a few more days in the intensive care unit.


    before being transferred to a regr ward.


    She couldn’t visit Joe yet, but Dr. Brooks’s update wasforting.


    During Joe’s hospital stay few people had visited, only Dean Schmidt from the nursing home had


    Candice had decided that she wouldn’t be sending her grandfather back to the nursing home once he


    was discharged from the hospital, and informed Dean Schmidt herself when she saw him.


    Dean Schmidt appeared concerned. “But didn’t you already settle the fees for thetter half of the


    year?”


    Candice was puzzled. “When did I make any payments?”


    She had been handling the payments quarterly. The next payment had not been made since her


    grandfather’s hospitalization.


    “I have a screenshot of the transaction here,” Dean Schmidt said, checking his phone. “It was made a


    few days ago.”


    He showed Candice the screenshot that covered Joe’s expenses for the next six months. It was a


    substantial amount, a six–figure sum, with no message attached.


    +15 BONOS


    Candice’s expression clouded when she recognized the ount. It belonged to the Aether.


    Corporation. Alex must be the one behind the transfer.


    Candice concealed her feelings. “I’m sorry, Dean Schmidt, I need to handle something. I’ll exin more


    Candice left and went to her car in the hospital parking lot. She still couldn’t understand Alex’s


    intentions.


    Seated in the driver’s seat, she stared at her phone screen as she waited for her call to be


    answered, her expression thoughtful..