My Mirror Image

Chapter 274

“Lex…” Sonia gazed at Alex and whispered, “I intended to go to the office this morning, but I felt

feverish. After taking some medicine, I slept until just now. It was Sawyer’s call that woke me up.”

Alex’s demeanor didn’t change as he gave a nod, choosing not to comment further.

Standing to the side. Sonia looked down and bit her lip firmly. She had unmistakably sensed the

annoyance in Alex’s earlier response, particularly how Candice’s presence influenced his tone, which

added to her discomfort.

Exiting the hospital, Candice bumped into Hanley and Shaun on their way in.

Shaun appeared troubled with his head lowered, likely having faced Hanley’s reprimand.

Hanley spotted Candice. “What’s going on?” he asked immediately.

“Sonia arrived.” Candice continued without expression, “She asked me to keep my distance from Alex.”

Hanley glanced at her, his almond eyes full of compassion. “Are you positive you weren’t hurt

anywhere? Should you get checked out?”

“I really am okay,” Candice assured, nodding. She continued solemnly, “Alex’s injury is quite serious. If

he decides to make things difficult for us, it could pose a problem for us.”

“I’m really sorry. It’s my fault,” Shaun said with a pained expression.

He differed from the rest. Shaun was not a friend of Hanley’s, but he was officially recruited.

Coming from a modest background, he had been deeply concerned by the incident with Alex’s

injury.

Shaun gazed toward the emergency room and declared, “I need to apologize to Mr. Elysian inside.

The mistake was mine, and it’s unrelated to the studio. Mr. Elysian had warned me about the danger of

leaving materials out there, but I ignored his advice.”

Hanley briefly looked at him and remarked, “Saying all these things is pointless now.” He turned Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

to Candice. “I’ll have a word with him. You better head home.”

Candice agreed with a nod, preferring not to cross paths with Alex and Sonia again, and headed

directly back to Northdale.

Later, she wasn’t briefed about the conversation between Hanley and Alex.

+15 BONOS

The next morning, she got a call from Jackson. He informed Candice that her mother was ready to

meet her.

Candice had been eager to meet with Yvonne ever since she left Noxville.

Upon her arrival, Jackson was already there. Today, he was dressed in his usual white shirt.

Candice noticed a simple black bracelet on his wrist, one that looked like it cost less than a dollar. She

couldn’t resist asking. “When were you interested in such a childish hobby?”

Jackson displayed an unusual hint of embarrassment as he admitted, “A kid gifted it to me.”

Candice’s eyebrows arched slightly. She was on the verge of commenting, but then recalled her

appointment with Yvonne. She decided she was not in the mood to broach the subject with Jackson.

Yvonne appeared significantly older. Her skin was a sallow, dark yellow, and her hair was sparse. and

silvery. Her eyes, deeply set, gave her an almost skeletal appearance.

When she saw Candice, a glimmer sparked in Yvonne’s dull eyes. “You’re finally here to see me.”

Candice looked at her impassively. “I need to ask you something. Did Sonia reach out to you with

a scheme to extort money from me? The plan of Ivor taking grandfather and then demanding a

ransom was her idea.” Her voice was frosty and straightforward, visibly shocking Yvonne.

After a brief pause, Yvonne nodded and then hesitated, shaking her head.

Candice’s expression grew colder as she pressed, “What does that mean?”

“She did approach me, but she didn’t suggest extorting money from you.”

Candice let out a scornful chuckle and retorted, “So, she just convinced you that since I resigned, there

would be a hefty severance pay. And that’s why you made a fuss at my workplace? She also filled your

head with the idea that I held grandfather dear, and if you had him, I’d pay whatever you asked.” While

Candice spoke slowly and thoughtfully. Yvonne’s face became more and more blank.

At last, Yvonne replied with a raspy voice. “Sonia believed I was struggling

She always said that

n out to you, thinking it

a mother and daughter’s feud doesn’t last. She encouraged me to might mend our bond. I’m sorry. I’ve

been reflecting a lot on myself these days. I’ve wronged your and Peach. For my sins, I deserve death.”

Despair and pain marked her weathered face, and her hands remained in handcuffs.

Ivor had committed numerous crimes, some of which were fairly terrible. The fact that Yvonne

+15 BONOS

knew about them all but opted to keep them hidden makes her an accomplice.

She attempted to grasp Candice’s hand, pleading, “I regret everything now, but Peach is innocent.

I’m a sinner and willing to accept my fate to be executed, but I can’t stop thinking about Peach.

Please, could you take care of her? I beg you.”

Yvonne’s sorrowful plea lingered with Candice even after she left the police station.

Candice clicked her tongue, unable to find the right words to describe her mother’s character.

Despite being hopelessly stupid, she deluded herself into thinking she was intelligent. She was

easily manipulated, and she spoke highly of those who used her.

Candice had deciphered Yvonne’s words. They almost confirmed Sonia’s cunning, maintaining

her facade even with the simple–minded Yvonne, who unknowingly provided her protection.

Sonia was cunning, but…

Candice gave herself an ironic grin. While her mother was concerned about Peach and had some

nice things to say about Sonia, she entirely neglected Candice.

It was fine. She’d long given up all hope for her mother.

Jackson had not accompanied her inside. Upon her return, he noted that nothing was out of the

ordinary in her expression. Still, he asked with a worried expression, “How did it go?”

“Could you take me to another place?” Candice asked. She had not only questioned Yvonne about

certain issues but also asked about where she and Sonia had first encountered each other. Not

the most astute, Yvonne had told her everything.

During the drive, Jackson suddenly got a call. He instinctively looked at Candice, then cleared his

throat before responding. “Ella?”

Candice’s eyes flickered with curiosity. She turned to Jackson and raised her brows in surprise.

That was a girl’s name.

Whatever the person on the other line said, it visibly upset Jackson. He didn’t try to conceal his

reaction, and he swiftly pulled the car to the roadside.

In a serious tone, he advised, “Ella, don’t act rashly, and don’t harm yourself over someone who

doesn’t deserve it.” His voice became gentler, as if reassuring. “Just follow my advice and be sensible.

It will upset your parents if they find out.”

+15 BONOS

After five minutes, Jackson ended the call. He looked visibly disturbed.

Candice observed him closely and asked, “Ella?”

Jackson hesitated. Then he offered a bitter smile and a shake of his head and commented, “Just

a silly kid.”