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 ying 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 ns 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 coborating 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 amanding 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.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Outside, Nadia was on a call. Seeing Candice, she ryed, “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 ck Maybach halted in front


    of her.


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


    wheel. “Get in,” hemanded 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 loudints were easily audible.


    I


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


    ipetent. 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 exined that because they were family, the staff could only rmend 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 dered. “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 copsed to the ground, clutching her head and sobbing uncontrobly as tears


    streamed down her face.