“I’ve made dinner, we can...”Michael did not even look at her. He cut her off coldly, “I’m not in the mood to eat with you.”With that, he headed straight upstairs.Ivanka stood up when she heard his words. The smile on her lips froze instantly.Michael did not spare her a single glance.…As the memory ended, Michael’s eyes flickered with contemplation. Looking back, he realized that Ivanka had deliberately put away whatever she was working on when he returned. It was as if she did not want him to see it.It seemed like it was a design sketch that she hastily hid.“Michael?”His thoughts were interrupted by Mindy’s voice.Mindy had been observing her son and noticed something was off. Seeing him look her way, she asked, “What are you thinking about?” “Nothing,” Michael replied calmly.Samuel instinctively looked at Michael again. “What are you going to do about this situation?” Michael snorted. “The collaboration has been finalized. Papaver has never agreed to work wit
“I only supported it back then because the Lane family had a good standing! But later on, Ivanka failed to prove herself. The company wasn’t even hers anymore. Why should I let her be the Barkworth family’s granddaughter-in-law if she doesn’t have outstanding abilities?” Samuel continued to speak self-righteously.Rosie was furious. She raised a finger to point at Samuel, but before she could say anything, Michael suddenly spoke in a deep voice, “Enough.”Rosie looked at him, displeased.Michael directed his gaze at Samuel. “Don’t bring up Ivanka again. She never owed us anything.”Samuel was taken aback and instinctively responded. “What do you mean by that? Are you no longer angry with her?”Rosie was a bit surprised, but remembering what Michael had said to her before, she felt a slight sense of relief. It seemed that he really had feelings for Ivanka. Otherwise, he would not have said that.Michael then spoke in a firm voice. “I owe her a lot.”“What nonsense are you talking
As she spoke, Mindy found herself unable to continue.Her voice was even choked with emotion.Previously, Mindy had always looked down on Ivanka. She believed she was not good enough for her son, but now...Ever since her decisions had driven her husband and son away, she no longer wanted to be so domineering. Especially after hearing Jay’s words, which felt like needles piercing her heart, she felt deeply hurt.Since Michael had ended his relationship with Chiara, she had been neglected for a long time. Her son’s growing distance from her made her feel even more pained.Therefore, all she wanted was to mend the bond between her, her husband and her son.That was why she had refrained from saying too much during the conversation and even started to side with her son and mother-in-law.Samuel clearly did not expect to hear such words from Mindy. He looked up at her in confusion. “Mindy, you...”However, that was all he managed to say. He was at a loss of words. His mind was a wh
The judge paused for a moment.Everyone stared intently at the judge. They were eager to hear what he would say next.Lyla was now the defendant. She was sitting in the defendant’s seat.Theodore and Chiara were also present. They were seated close to Sandy and Suki.Their expressions were grim, especially Chiara, whose eyes were filled with worry.She thought. “What are we going to do?”Chiara had not been able to stay by her mother’s side these past few days. It made her feel incredibly anxious.Not being able to see her mother was causing her indescribable pain.Seeing her today only intensified that pain.In just a few days, her mother had become gaunt. Chiara had tried everything to visit her mother but had failed each time. She felt utterly helpless!Yet her father had no solutions either.Chiara watched her mother sitting in the defendant’s seat. It broke her heart. She turned to her father. “What do you think the verdict will be today?” She had been worried for day
Hanson remained silent. He understood Sandy’s fury. He felt the same indignation. The verdict was unfair for Ivanka.Sandy took a deep breath and closed her eyes to control her emotions.Knowing they were in a public place, she refrained from saying anything further.Everyone shifted their attention to Ivanka, who remained unusually calm. She showed no inclination to say anything.“Ms. Iris, are you satisfied with this outcome?”“It’s acceptable,” Ivanka responded smoothly without the slightest hesitation.This left Theodore and the others puzzled. Lyla’s heart skipped a beat as she scrutinized Ivanka, but she could not read anything from her expression. An uneasy feeling crept in.Was Ivanka holding back for a big move later?How could she be content with just a three-year sentence?Even Chiara sensed something amiss. She watched Ivanka warily but could not confront her directly, as they were seated far apart.Chiara glared at Ivanka. Her eyes filled with an almost malevolen
She was too heartbroken to speak. She could not form any words.Theodore could not help but sigh. “You need to take care of yourself too.”Lyla nodded. She wiped away her tears. “I know. And you have to keep an eye on Chiara, make sure her temper doesn’t get the best…”She trailed off as she could not continue.Theodore quickly nodded. “I got it, I got it.”Chiara clutched Lyla’s hand. Her voice trembled as she said, “Mom...”She could only manage that one word as her sobs had become uncontrollable.“Honey, I’m still here. You don’t need to worry. Everything will be alright, okay?”Chiara nodded, but her tears kept rolling down her face.Lyla could not say much more. She could only let out a sigh.The staff member approached with a hint of resignation. “Can we go now?”Lyla took a deep breath and nodded, then turned to Theodore and Chiara again.“You both take care of yourselves. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”She had said all that could be said and left the rest uns
No, Chiara must exercise restraint!She could not lose it in this place. She wanted to be as dignified as she used to be.She also needed to maintain the image she had presented earlier on.Besides, Lyla had given her reason behind Fernando’s murder. It was to fulfill his wish. Therefore, Chiara needed to keep up the lie!She would play along with her mother!With that in mind, Chiara hid all her negative emotions. The look in her eyes as she gazed at Ivanka was tinted with resignation and remorse.“Iv, I know you’re upset. But sometimes, we can’t do anything about our elders’ wishes. Your father was very sick. You can’t possibly tell me that you wanted him to die in pain.”Sandy immediately furrowed her eyebrows tightly. She was already holding back her anger the entire time. When she heard what Chiara said, she was so pissed that she instantly scoffed. “What a joke! Was it up to you to decide what to do with someone’s life? Did you and your family discuss this matter with Ivan
Ivanka did not care about the gazes from the bystanders all around. She merely stared at the person before her and said with a faint smile, “If you’re really grateful, why didn’t you return my shares sooner until I brought you to court? You still held onto the shares despite the embarrassment?”Chiara’s expression changed. In the next moment, a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes, and she sighed in feigned resignation. “Iv, I know… I know you’re still upset with me. But this is the situation we end up in, and my mother… has gotten her punishment. Iv, back then we owed you an apology. Now, I think you’ve settled the score.”That was all she said. Chiara no longer wanted to keep up her act. She was genuinely angry!Ivanka’s lips curled slightly into a faint smile. Ignoring the bystanders’ reaction, she said, “Any pretense will slowly fall apart sooner or later. I hope you and your family really tell the truth, or else you’ll be exposed, and everyone will see your true colors.”C
In the face of Laura’s meltdown, Ivanka’s words seemed a bit smug.She was doing it on purpose.“You! Ivanka, how can you be so shameless as to say such things? Are you still a woman?” Laura’s hand, which was pointing at her angrily, trembled uncontrollably.Laura’s tears fell like a snapped pearl necklace. Ivanka laughed in a low voice. “Of course I am, otherwise how did I become the one Jonah wakes up to every day? Laura, since things have come to this, you’d better hurry home and stop embarrassing yourself here.”“What’s the point of chasing after someone who doesn’t like you like this?”She acknowledged Laura’s persistence toward Jonah. But insisting too much would turn into clinginess. Jonah’s dislike and disdain for Laura was clear. He never once gave Laura a chance. Even so, Laura refused to give up.Sometimes she did not think thoroughly before doing things. “Whether there’s a point to it is not for you to say!”Laura was still persistent.But the next second, Iva
It would not have been nice for Ivanka to be present during Jonah’s conversation with his mother. The Sadler family’s house was large. She went directly to the grass field outside.Margaret had a Golden Retriever. When Ivanka saw the maid bring it out to play, she immediately squatted in front of the Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever was very gentle and did not bite. Margaret saw the Golden Retriever wagging its tail at Ivanka. The gesture was clearly a sign of fondness and affection for Ivanka.Even the dog liked Ivanka, and she still did not like her. Could she really be the problem?Margaret began to contemplate and reflect on herself. As she was trying to approach Ivanka, someone had already walked up to Ivanka first.This person was no other than Laura, who she had once hated.When Laura saw the cozy scene of a person and a dog. She instantly rushed to Ivanka. “Ivanka, you’re so despicable. You won’t even spare a dog. Are you planning to drug it too?!”Ivanka kept
However, Jonah seemed to have heard some hilarious joke. “Do you really mean well? Do you mean well by trampling on my feelings?“You said everything started because of Ivanka. Why don’t you say it all started because of you?”Jonah let out another rhetorical question.He was extremely emotional.Margaret could not bear to watch him like this. She roared, “Enough, don’t think that I’ll compromise and stop interfering with you guys if you are like this!”Jonah laughed slowly. “Then what you said before was nonsense. Since I can’t get what I want, what else is left if I cure these legs?“You really don’t get it. You think that I’m driving you to your grave when it’s the opposite. Then what kind of mother-son bond is there between us to speak of?”At the end of Jonah’s speech, the mockery at the corner of his was extraordinarily obvious. His eyes even seemed determined.Margaret sensed it.“Are you going to cut ties with me for Ivanka?” Margaret found it incredulous. When she ask
She said to Ivanka in dissatisfaction, “Ms. Ivanka, please go out. I have something to say to Jonah alone right now.”Ivanka did not respond. However, the way she moved out already said everything.Jonah did not make a statement but silently agreed.He also did not want Ivanka to be present to see his embarrassment.“You’re being an ingrate. You never raised me like that! Since you’ve already spoken such, why are you still holding it against Iv? Is being a divorcee her sin?” Jonah’s expression was as dark as the storm clouds. Those eyes were locked on his mother. He felt that Ivanka had been deeply wronged.However, Margaret replied blandly, “Have you seen anyone wealthy choosing to marry divorcees? Are there really no other women out there?”“You are a woman too.” Jonah frowned.However, Margaret brought up a very realistic question. “I am indeed a woman. But no parent in the world would ever settle for anything less than the best option.”Those words infuriated Jonah.“Mom,
At Margaret’s rebuke, Ivanka was annoyed. “If you say so.”Whatever Margaret wanted to think was her own business. She would not interfere.Margaret immediately choked out in response, “You!”“You don’t have to target me. You know very well that I won’t get together with your son. I’m only here to administer treatment for your son.”Ivanka gave Margaret a bland look. Even her tone was bland.Margaret burst out laughing coldly. “It’s what you should do!”“I didn’t say that I shouldn’t,” Ivanka shot back indifferently. She no longer bantered with Margaret. She kept looking at her cell phone.In Margaret’s eyes, Ivanka was playing with her cell phone, and was playing intently too!There was a parasol over her head as she was leaning on a rattan chair. Most importantly, there were also refreshments on the round table to Ivanka’s left.Sheesh!“Ivanka, are you here to treat Jonah’s leg, or are you here to enjoy yourself?” Margaret chided Ivanka in dissatisfaction.When someone di
Jonah was concerned about Ivanka. But before he could finish speaking, he automatically lowered his voice.He was not the same as before.Call for him. With his weak legs, what could he do for her?Ivanka heard his tone but did not expose or console him. She only followed suit and said, “Rest well. I know my place.”“Alright.”Jonah answered half-heartedly. Ivanka turned around and left her back to him.On the terrace, there was a parasol and a rattan chair.She had only laid down on top of the rattan chairs for a few minutes when she heard footsteps from behind her. As the footsteps drew closer step by step, she subconsciously turned around.She only saw the servant who had just helped her carry a tray of food and walked towards her slowly.“Ms. Ivanka, the young master asked me to prepare some refreshments for you.”Ivanka nodded wordlessly.She was here to treat Jonah’s legs, not to enjoy the sunshine and eat. She did not eat anything. Her gaze was on the phone screen.S
As he said that, Jonah turned his wheelchair and moved closer to Ivanka.The delight on his face was hard to hide. Margaret did not see it. She was still in the hospital. It would have been better if she did not see her, but Ivanka also understood very clearly what Margaret meant by this. If she really wanted to have a long-lasting relationship with Jonah, they would have become a couple already. Why wait until that moment? As long as she agreed, it was not impossible, and that was what Jonah thought: he thought she would say yes.Ivanka gently laughed and shook her head. “Jonah, why are you still lying to yourself and others?”Even she understood it, so how could Jonah not know about it?However, Jonah was not willing to dwell on the matter. In the next second, he changed the topic. “It’s better to go to my room. The second floor has plenty of fresh air.”Ivanka saw that he was not willing to talk about it, so she did not say anything more. She nodded. Then a servant came
“If it’s my fault, you can always vent out your anger on me.” Michael made himself clear. It was not his fault, so he refused to accept being treated unfairly. Ivanka sneered, “It seems like you’ve forgotten that you were the cause of everything. If not for the fact that you refused to give up on me, I wouldn’t have invited Jonah for a roleplay. I don’t want to get into the details with you.” In the face of Ivanka’s mockery, for a moment, Michael felt as if something had stuck in his throat, and he did not know what else to say. Ivanka was utterly furious. It was pointless to speak any further to her. But he refused to become a punching bag on Jonah’s behalf for free. “You need to calm down. No one can get in the way of your choices. But I’ll never give up,” said Michael in a low voice. “I see. Since you refuse to give up, are you planning to steal the bride at her wedding as well?” Ivanka raised one of eyebrows. She felt amused. Michael blurted out a single word with
“Michael, I just didn’t want to upset Grandma. If you want to keep her posted on our progress, you might as well find someone else and get married so that there’s no more possibility between us. She will also stop thinking about me and you.” Ivanka had blurted it out without hesitation. Her tone was serious. She really meant it. Michael did not expect Ivanka to say this to him. Rosie had told Michael that Ivanka agreed to let him be her bodyguard because of her. At that time, Michael was over the moon thinking that Rosie had caused another miracle. But based on the situation, it looked like Ivanka did not plan to take other people’s concerns into account anymore. Michael’s mood turned foul. He could not say anything about Ivanka’s decision. “Iv, I refuse to accept this.” After a moment of silence, Michael said that to Ivanka. At that moment, he looked serious. Even though Ivanka could not see his expression, she could imagine his demeanor through his tone. “I know y