My Mirror Image

Chapter 209

Chapter 0209

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 claimed they

gave her a more commanding presence.

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

sentto 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 a commercial district in the city center.

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

yesterday.”

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

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

tongue and grumbled, “What’s with Sieg, always buggingthese days?”

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

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

Yana commented, rolling her eyes.

+15 BONOS

Candice said nothing as she didn’t particularly 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 explain something,” she started, recalling the first tshe met Candice with Hanley.

“My family set up a blind date forwith 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 ssocial 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 felt compelled to

explain 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 relationship. She had

always hoped to pair her son with someone of similar 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 plan was to head back to the hospital, but Yana forcibly guided her into the car

and drove her back to the villa.

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

Entering the villa, Hanley cto greet her.

“You’ve returned from the hospital?”

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

Hanley looked composed 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

srest.

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. She lay in bed after her nighttroutine but couldn’t sleep. Her mind was blank.

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 regular ward.

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

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

ca few times.

Candice had decided that she wouldn’t be sending her grandfather back to the nursing honce 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 the latter 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 account. 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 explain more

later. Could you please sendthat screenshot?”

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..