Chapter 114 EX-CONVICT
\[HELL DEVIL'S HIDEOUT\]
Jaxon and Alexa stood beside Drexton's bed, staring down at an unconscious Drexton. The employees had called during their fight. They were able to get to the company on time, but before they could interfere, the cracking sound of their necks put them to a halt.
"Honestly, I'm so confused," Alexa sighed and sat down. "Why would they fight like that? And that girl, who's she? How was she able to match Drexton's strength? Why didn't Ixora try to do anything to stop them?"
Jaxon's eyes went to her, but with the same confusion.
They heard the almost silent groan of Drexton.
His eyes flickered open, and he stared at the ceiling for a while. Memories of what happened replayed in his head. The way he stared at the ceiling was as if he could still see the scene.
"Drexton," Jaxon called.
Drexton shifted his gaze and tried sitting up.
"Careful," Alexa said, and wanted to touch him.
Drexton's hand went to his neck only to touch the bandage.
"What is this?" he said, his voice at the edge of a growl.
He tried removing the bandage.
Jaxon held his hand. "You will need it to heal."
"The only thing I will need is destruction. Destroy that person who's protecting that imposter," he replied, hands fumbling around his neck.
He tried to lose the bandage but couldn't find the end. Looking around, his eyes fell on a knife.
He picked up the knife, ready to cut the bandage, when Alexa held his hand midair.
"You want to destroy those imitating Ixora. Shouldn't you take care of yourself to at least remain healthy? The bandage is for your good." She snatched the knife and tossed it away. It landed with a soft clattering sound.
"What happened? Who's that girl?" Jaxon asked.
Drexton finger balled into a fist as he remembered how she risked her life to protect an imposter.
"I've seen her before. She's Ixora's servant and bodyguard," Alexa replied.
They both took their gazes at her.
"She's not Ixora," Drexton said in a dangerously low voice.
"I know she's not Ixora," Alexa said.
"You do?" Jaxon asked.
Alexa nodded. "I admit I haven't seen Ixora, but everything about this new one feels off. I heard Ixora is kind and treats others equally, but this one is the complete opposite. The girl's name is Winter..."
She met their questionable gazes and exhaled softly.
"I went to visit Ixora the day she returned. All I wanted was to bond with my sister. At first, it felt like I was with her, but then Winter tripped and fell. She slapped her and even went as far as smearing sauce on her face, ignoring the fact that it was an accident. There's also a new girl with her... what's her name again?"
She paused, thinking.
"Nikita," she said. "If she's an imposter, then both of them are in this together."
Alexa and Jaxon looked at Drexton, waiting for what he would say.
Drexton looked in front, almost thinning his brow.
"This means two things: They have something to do with Ixora's disappearance, or they are taking advantage of Ixora's absence."
"But I don't understand one thing; why would she change her identity to that of Ixora's?" Jaxon asked.
Drexton faced him. "To settle the scores. Whoever is behind that face surely has a thing against me or whoever she's working for. They want revenge," he paused, then continued. "Jaxon, I need you to get me the list of plastic surgeries conducted within the time frame of two years."
"What?! That's going to be a lot of work."
Alexa smacked his arm. "When you have me, it will be easy. Remember, I'm an ex-convict, so you don't have to worry."
Jaxon furrowed his brow, staring at her. "Is that a thing to be proud of?"
"Of course. I might look harmless, but I'm dangerous."
Jaxon shook his head and turned to Drexton.
"It's high time we get Maddox back. If he refuses, we should drag him. He can't keep staying there when we need him."
"Let him be, he knows what he's doing," Drexton replied and faced Alexa. "What about finding your mother?"
Alexa raised the screen of her phone to his face. "I'm on it, but she's not that important right now. I know where to find her if I want to."
Drexton faced in front without replying.
Alexa grabbed Jaxon's hand. "Let's go."
The soft creak of the door pulled Drexton into a haze of thoughts.
\[CASTELLAN HOUSE\]
"Doctor, when will she come around?" Nikita asked.
Dr. Felix exhaled and closed his medical box.
"Anytime soon. Rest assured that she is fine. It's the aftereffect of hypnotism. You know it's the first time she's unleashing the effect."
Hazel stared at everything with a bored look. She was giving an 'I don't care expression'.
"Thank you, doctor. You can leave now."
Dr. Felix nodded and walked away.
Nikita looked at her, a smile playing on her lips.
"Why are you smiling?" Hazel asked with a raised brow.
"What I feared the most didn't happen."
"What?"
"Drexton recognizing her as Ixora. I thought, since he was able to recognize you as an imposter, it wouldn't be hard to recognize his Ixora. Guess I was wrong. He held her and couldn't even realize she was his. Gosh, I'm so smart," she laughed, sitting down.
"Dr. Felix deserves some praise. Everything wouldn't have happened without him."
"I'm the one with the brain. I drew out the idea, so I deserve all the praise," Nikita said cockily.
Hazel rolled her eyes.
"I knew he was pretending when he held your hands. Drexton is not a fool. He can't even stand your presence, and you just keep getting on my nerves. Why can't, for a few hours in front of them, pretend to be nice? Asking the employees to go on their knees and lick your shoe was something Ixora would never do."
"Well, I can't help wanting to be in control anytime I'm around low-life."
Nikita grabbed her chin and held their gaze in place.
"You're hurting me," Hazel winced from the pain.
"You were once a low-life. I made you what you are today. Don't forget that," she warned, eyes spitting venom.
If anything, Hazel's behavior gets on her nerves a lot. Once she's done using her, she'll get rid of her.
She released her chin, causing Hazel to release a slow breath while staring at Nikita with wide eyes. She knows Nikita wants to be in control, but hurting her...
Nikita flashed a smile. "Act like Ixora, and maybe we'll get on good terms." She stood and left.
Hazel balled her fist, glaring at Nikita's retreating figure.
\[RONALD'S ENTERPRISE\]
Eric paced around his office, tapping his phone urgently in his palm. A message notification chimed into his phone.
He checked only to see it was from a company.
Frustratingly, he was about to slam the phone onto the wall when another text came in.
He looked at his phone to see that it was the text he had been waiting for. It came from Dr. Felix assuring him that Ixora was fine.
He had heard about what happened to Ixora and Drexton. He was about to rush to the Castellan's house when he remembered that going there would ruin their hard work. Ixora wouldn't want that either. He just has to trust his daughter.
Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He sat down and turned on the air conditioning, wondering how long his daughter would have to put on the act. How long will she have to suffer just to make Hazel regret it?
Once everything is over, he will take his daughter to a quiet island where both of them will live together. He doesn't care if she doesn't find love, and he wouldn't push her into it. As long as she's happy, he will be happier.
The creaking of the door brought him back to reality. He exhaled softly and adjusted his position.
"Sir, it's time for the supervision to start," Cecilia said, her tone professional.
Eric nodded and closed the file he was working on.
He stood, "Let's go."
Coincidentally, they took the first step together and almost bumped into each other.
"Sorry," they apologized and stepped back, the same action repeating.
"Sorry, sir," Cecilia apologized and stood with her head lowered.
"It's fine. Lead the way."
Cecilia flashed him a smile as a thank you before leaving.
Eric chuckled and followed her.