Chapter 237
Chapter 237
The police officer solemnly informed Yvonne, “Your husband is currently in the hospital, experiencing
severe emotional instability. The hospital is calling for family members to be
present.”
At the mention of Ivor, Yvonne paused. Then, she quickly stood up and asked anxiously, “What’s
wrong with him?”
Candice’s attention had become fixated on Peach. She watched as, in her distress, Yvonne
grabbed Peach’s arm and dragged the little girl along. Yvonne was oblivious to the girl’s arm hitting the
corner of the table.
Observing Yvonne, Candice found the situation laughable. Her mother appeared to have lost her
essence, becoming nothing more than a puppet to Ivor’s will, mindlessly obeying his order.
Yvonne dragged Peach along and staggered out of the room.
The officer stated with an uneasy tone, “Ms. Renault, you’re needed at the hospital too. Mr. Dawson
has specifically requested a personal meeting with you.”
Yana voiced her objection, declaring, “That’s unacceptable. He’s the offender here. What gives him the
right to make such demands? We shouldn’t comply, Candy. We can take legal action, and we have all
the evidence. This doesn’t sit right with me!”
The officer’s expression clouded as he heard the suggestion.
Candice knew her mother better than anyone else. She knew that avoiding the hospital visit would
likely lead Yvonne to broadcast the situation as a public spectacle.
“Yana, you should go home,” she suggested. “I need to go to the hospital.”
Yana frowned. “All right,” she conceded, “but I’ll accompany you.”
Contrary to Candice’s expectations, Alex also chose to join them at the hospital.
As they approached the ward, they could hear Ivor’s loud, abusive roar as he shouted vulgar curses
and insults about Candice, and occasionally Yvonne.
Upon opening the door, the officer leant in and called, “Please keep the noise down. We shouldn’t
disturb other patients.” He then stepped aside and gestured to Candice. “Let’s talk.”
Candice could see what was happening inside as the officer stood aside.
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Yvonne sat on the floor, soaked, with fragments of a broken glass cup nearby. In the corner, Peach
stood with red eyes and tightly pursed lips.
Candice regarded the chaotic sight with a sense of detachment.
She had attempted to talk sense into Yvonne to bring her out of this mess, but it seemed Yvonne had
willingly sunk deeper into her own destructive path, beyond anyone’s help. She had no one else to
blame for her predicament.
Ivor’s outburst had been due to the doctor’s revelation that Candice’s kick had caused nerve damage,
resulting in the loss of sexual function.
Spotting Candice at the doorway, Ivor’s animosity surged, his face filled with loathing. “Candice. you’ll
regret this! I won’t let this go!”
In his fury he ignored his pain, snatched something from the table, and threw it at Candice.
Hindered by her own injury, Candice was slow to react. Before she fully comprehended the situation, a
protective arm was already in front of her, taking the brunt of the attack.
A muffled sound of pain came from Alex.
The object clattered to the ground, revealing itself to be a fruit knife.
Shock gripped Candice as her eyes widened. Ivor had thrown the knife directly at her face. If not for
Alex’s timely intervention…
Worried, Candice quickly glanced at Alex. There was a tear through the right sleeve of his black
shirt.
“I need to check your arm,” Candice said sternly.
Alex looked her up and down from head to toe. He dismissed her concern and said, “No need for
that.”
Candice’s gaze strayed to the knife lying nearby, and was overwhelmed with a pang of fear. She
stammered, “You Just-”
Alex paused before emotionlessly straightening his sleeve, remarking softly. “That was just a reflex.”
He looked down and said nonchalantly, “Candice, save your sympathy. Instead of looking after me, you
should concentrate on dealing with this situation. I just came here to see for myself.”
Ivor’s abrupt assault had left Yana confused, and she asked, “What were you looking to confirm?”
Alex’s response was detached. “I wanted to see how she manages the situation with her
stepfather. I prefer to avoid any complications.”
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“Do you know him?” Yana asked, puzzled.
Alex remained silent.
Candice was aware that Alex and Ivor had met before. In truth, Alex had told Greg to put Ivor in jail
during their final encounter in Noxville.
Hearing the disturbance, the officer walked over to check on the situation.
Weary of further discussion, Candice simply pointed to the knife on the floor, firmly stating. “This is the
second instance of intentional harm. I refuse to accept any other settlement than a lawsuit.”
Having nothing further to discuss, the officer escorted Candice out of the room.
As they were about to leave, Yvonne’s raspy voice called out, “Candy.”
Candice hesitated but remained facing forward.
Yvonne pleaded desperately. “Could you please let it go for my sake? I’m willing to apologize in any
way you wish. I’ll do whatever you want to do, you can even hit me. Just give him another chance, will
you?”
Despite Yvonne’s fervent pleas, Candice offered no reply, nor did she glance back. She simply
continued walking away.
Yvonne watched Candice’s departing figure, feeling a deep sense of emptiness. Eventually, she
sat paralyzed beside Ivor’s bedside, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Outside, Candice told Yana that she wanted to see her grandfather while they were at Silverstone
Hospital.
Yana left without saying anything else, understanding Candice’s need for alone time.
“Alex,” Ca
Candice said. Turning to Alex, Candice found herself at a loss for words before his
imposing figure.
Alex briefly checked the time on his phone. Then he looked up at Candice and calmly said, “Go
ahead.”
Candice squeezed her lips together. “Thank you.”
Alex dismissed her gratitude with a scoff, “Words are of little value. I’ve always said. You should focus
on yourself rather than trying to appease others.”
The scent of cedar emanating from him overpowered the hospital’s disinfectant, and a lump
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formed in Candice’s throat.
After a brief pause, she softly declared, “I will deal with Ivor’s issue. And I won’t let the past repeat
itself.”
Alex’s brow furrowed slightly as he conceded, “That would be for the best.”
Candice pivoted and began to head towards her grandfather’s ward. She proceeded with caution,
taking care not to move too much because of her injuries.
Once she had left, Alex looked down at his hand. He flexed his wrist carefully and unbuttoned his cuff
before walking away.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.