One of the bodyguards picked the crystal up and handed it over to Ivan. "Mr. Burke, it seems to be an energy crystal.""An energy crystal?" Ivan accepted it, running his fingers over its contours. "Isn't this the energy crystal Yasmin gave you? Back then, Yasmin gave me one too."The chains restraining Blake rattled just then. His eyes were gleaming with a hint of menace as if he could snatch the energy crystal despite his bound limbs.Ivan noticed his agitation and smiled faintly. He tossed the energy crystal aside. "Destroy this thing for me."At his command, Blake struggled harder. "You, give it back to me."Ivan found amusement in his struggle. He crouched to look down at Blake. He smirked. "The always high and mighty Mr. Ford has now fallen. You don't deserve anything from Yasmin. If not for your interference, Yasmin and I would have been together long ago."Ivan deliberately provoked him."I don't believe you," Blake said."You don't believe me? Do you know whose fault
One of Ivan's men shouted, "Mr. Burke, it's dangerous. We have to retreat!"Regardless of the danger, Ivan was reluctant to leave. He was determined to kill Blake today to avenge Maeve.But he had lost his chance. Blake's men had arrived with a dozen armored vehicles, fully armed and in great numbers.If he hesitated for a moment, one of his bodyguards would go down.Amid the chaos, Malcolm finally reached Blake. He used his gun to break the chains binding Blake.Blake sat on the ground, his face dark and cold. He spoke with a deadly calm, "Kill him.""Yes, Mr. Ford."The two groups clashed violently, and gunfire filled the air. The sounds of bullets whizzing by echoed ceaselessly.In the end, Ivan's men were overwhelmed and began retreating. Some even escaped through the windows—Ivan included."Don't let him get away!" At this moment, Blake's expression was icy and menacing. He ignored the pain in his body—perhaps because the pain in his heart was worse. Then, he grabbed hi
Ivan looked at Yasmin's face and asked Cedar Webster, the doctor, "How is she?""Ms. Starr's fever isn't subsiding. There seems to be inflammation in her body," Cedar replied.Ivan's face turned grimly pale. "Get a better doctor over here," he ordered.Cedar was escorted out by Dwight Barlow, the housekeeper. Then, Wendy entered to say, "Mr. Burke, you're still recovering from your gunshot wound. You should rest. I'll stay here with Ms. Starr."Ivan stared at Yasmin's face at that moment.There was a bullet in his arm, and Blake had been the one to put it there.After being shot, he quickly boarded a plane back to Merania. Stanton City was dominated by Blake's influence and was not suitable for a long stay."How are things at Stanton City?" Ivan asked.Wendy replied, "There's turmoil brewing in Windmere Group. Blake Ford is busy dealing with Mr. Neil, so he has no time to look for Ms. Starr."Perhaps it wasn't just turmoil but a complete loss of hope.That day, he deliberat
Ivan admitted, "I didn't just say nothing. I lied to Blake, telling him you and I were together and truly in love. Only then did he agree to let you go.""Why did you say that, Ivo?" Yasmin asked."If I hadn't said that, do you think he would have let you go?" Ivan smiled after he spoke. His eyes were cold yet tinged with amusement. He was once again adorning his gold-rimmed glasses.Seeing his smile, Yasmin felt awkward for blaming him. After all, he had helped her a lot in recent times.After a moment, she asked, "Ivo, is everything okay at Windmere Group?""No worries, their minor issues have been resolved."Yasmin trusted Ivan completely and didn't question him further.In the following days, she continued recovering at Ivan's villa. Ivan visited her whenever he had time, though he was often busy.Sometimes, Yasmin would hear the sound of a piano being played. She listened quietly, thinking Ivan was quite talented with the instrument.After a week, Yasmin finally regained
"Ivo, you've already helped me so much. I really feel bad about troubling you further," Yasmin said."It feels awkward when you speak to me like this." Ivan's tone was calm and steady. "I want to help you on my own accord, not because you're asking me to."Yasmin caught his gaze. She found his eyes oddly profound, and she dared not meet them.Since arriving in Merania, it seemed like Ivan had changed in some way. However, she couldn't quite put her finger on it.… Two days later, Ivan unexpectedly came into her room after knocking on the door. He said he wanted to take her somewhere."Where are we going?" Yasmin was sketching in her room at the time. She had already resumed her work and felt inexplicably relaxed.Ivan stood at the doorway. He looked at her intently as he said, "I'll tell you on the way.""Oh," Yasmin replied. She set aside her sketches and left the room with him.They eventually got into the car together.Wendy wasn't with them today. As such, Ivan sat himse
Vanessa said in mild surprise, "Oh, so she's Ms. Starr." Vanessa's smile widened as he quickly ushered Yasmin and Ivan inside.Yasmin felt puzzled by his behavior. She walked behind Ivan and asked, "Ivo, does this housekeeper know me?"She couldn't shake the feeling that Vanessa had looked at her strangely just now.Ivan smiled faintly. "You'll find out once we go inside."He then walked gracefully into the estate, leading Yasmin onto the property. Sitting behind the arched gates was an elegant and dignified lady with a head of white hair.The elderly lady was busy trimming flowers. Upon hearing the commotion outside, she lifted her eyes.Seeing the lady's face, Yasmin was taken aback. She thought to herself, "Isn't this person Imogen Sander, the founder of Sander International?"Imogen spotted Yasmin from afar and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. She smiled as she nodded in recognition, her voice gentle and kind as she asked, "Yasmin?"Yasmin grew even more perplexed.
Yasmin was still lost in thought, but Imogen didn't mind. She simply observed Yasmin with loving eyes."Thank you so much, Ivan. If it weren't for you, I might never have met my granddaughter," Imogen expressed her gratitude to Ivan. She had prepared many valuable gifts for him in return.Ivan shook his head. "Mrs. Morrison Senior, you don't need to be so formal. My mother was very close to your daughter. It was only right for me to help Yasmin.""Oh? Did you have that kind of connection?" Imogen's interest was piqued.Ivan recounted the close relationship between Maeve and Mia. Though in truth, Mia and Maeve were friends but never exceptionally close.However, as he spun the stories, he began to believe them himself. Others started to believe the stories as well.Imogen listened quietly, and her face showed contentment. "I never imagined that after leaving Merania, Mia would have such extraordinary experiences. She made such close friends, found a life partner, and even had a ch
Imogen quietly said to Yasmin, "Good girl."She gently stroked Yasmin's head, her gaze unbearably tender. Imogen thought for a moment and began, "Your mother was unique in her own way—perhaps it was because of my fame. Since she was young, people had high expectations of her."She always had to be mindful of etiquette, poise, and the cameras that followed us because I frequently attended fashion shows. Whenever she was by my side, any slip-ups would be magnified by the media."Although she was a prominent heiress, her life was not as smooth sailing as people thought it would be. I know a bit about her and your father." Imogen glanced at Yasmin every now and then as she spoke.Yasmin sat restlessly on the edge of the bed. She was surprised by Imogen's words. "Grandma, you knew about them?"Imogen's eyes showed a hint of regret. "I didn't know Stuart was your father at first; but having seen him at some events, I guessed that she was with the man from back then."If Imogen hadn't