When Michael heard Ivanka say that he was no longer worthy of her, his expression abruptly darkened. He had not expected her to say such things to him. As he looked at her, he saw the seriousness in her eyes.His visible fury intensified. Yet another emotion seemed to overshadow it. It was almost as if he had forgotten the reason for his anger.His expression grew increasingly unpleasant as he stared into Ivanka’s eyes, which were growing colder by the moment.At that point, Ivanka felt utterly worn out. She no longer wanted to look at Michael, so she turned away and calmly said, “Just leave.”She did not want to waste any more energy on him. She felt that such extensive conversation with him would be pointless. It was as if she could not move on from him.She saw no point in sharing all the resentment she had accumulated over the years if he did not believe a word she said. It would only make him detest her more. He would see her as a joke and ultimately cast her as a fool.Her
Michael staying overnight did not shock her. After all, he had stayed at her place several times before. She seemed to have gradually become accustomed to and resigned to his presence.What truly surprised her was that Michael emerged holding a plate of scrambled eggs while wearing an apron. Did he cook breakfast himself?She instinctively glanced at the dining table and noticed a plate of scrambled eggs already on the table, alongside some baked beans. She was stunned and unsure of what to say.Michael glanced at her indifferently and said, “Come and eat.”She hesitated briefly before making her way to the dining area and sitting at the table. She was already dressed and ready to leave. She had not intended to have breakfast. She did not expect to see Michael cooking breakfast when she came downstairs.Michael offered her a fork and a spoon. She took them silently. He did not intend to say anything to her either. He simply sat down opposite her and began to eat casually.I
Seeing that Lyla was still that hypocritical, Ivanka’s lips twitched. Ivanka had not seen Lyla for many days. Lyla was no longer as charming as before. She wore a prison uniform, and this made her look even more haggard. Her well-preserved skin in the past had gained a yellowish hue, and the freckles on her face grew. On top of that, it was clear to see that she had lost weight. Prison was truly an ideal place for one to lose weight. The prisoners could not eat or sleep well. They had to live in fear daily. Besides, they were not allowed to browse the internet. They had to live like they were in the stone age. Fortunately, Lyla could put up with such a life. If not, she would have gone crazy. The next moment, Ivanka made it sound as if she was just talking about the weather. “Of course I need to visit you. I may need to visit you more often in the future.” Lyla looked a little stunned. For a moment, she seemed confused. Lyla subconsciously stared at her. “You…” She only mutte
“What do you mean by that?” Lyla did not know if Ivanka was telling her the truth, or if she meant the opposite. Lyla’s heart clenched tightly. She did not look away but kept staring at Ivanka’s face. Lyla did not want to miss a single emotion that showed up on her face. Ivanka chuckled. “What do you think?” After muttering the words, she was in no hurry to say more. Since Lyla and her group had been unkind to her first, Ivanka naturally returned them the same favor. It was simply a wishful thought to hope they would change for the better with kindness. If Ivanka did that, she would rather commit suicide. Lyla frowned deeply. She was already in a bad mood. Upon hearing Ivanka’s words, her mood turned even foul. “Iv, what’s wrong with you today? Why are you keeping me in suspense? What happened outside?” Ivanka tidied her hair and said lackadaisically, “Indeed, something you’re unaware of has happened. In fact, Uncle Theodore has hid it from you for most of your life.” Lyl
Ivanka raised an eyebrow. “Really?” Lyla fell speechless. She grew increasingly worried with Ivanka’s increasingly nonchalant manner. She sensed that something was wrong somewhere. Yet she did not know what it was. Ivanka’s current look inevitably made her have negative thoughts. She could not stop herself from having all kinds of negative thoughts. The feeling grew worse to the extent that she did not know how to keep her composure. Lyla looked at Ivanka anxiously. Ivanka chuckled and said in a light tone, “Aunt Lyla, I always believe that you’re a smart lady. You can scheme people without making them realize all the while. Why did you become this when it comes to things like that?” At that, Ivanka paused for a moment. There was a hint of disdain and disbelief in her tone. Lyla’s expression turned dark and frowned deeply. At that moment, she decided to stop talking in riddles with Ivanka. Ivanka’s words had shaken her faith. She stared at Ivanka. “Iv, what exactly are yo
Lyla looked startled. Impossible! This was impossible! The next second, she shook her head and said unhappily, “Iv, stop that. If not, I’ll get really angry.” “I purposely came all the way here to tell you the news. Do you think there’s a need for me to play tricks?” Ivanka looked at Lyla with a smile, but it did not reach her eyes. The more Ivanka said, the more anxious Lyla grew. Lyla frowned as she stared at her. “All things need to be supported with evidence. I won’t believe in empty words.” Despite being unhappy, Lyla was both scared and wanted to know the truth. She hoped that Ivanka was giving empty words without evidence. If this were the past, Lyla would think that Ivanka was giving her empty words. However, Ivanka had changed. She had changed so much that she was no longer an innocent lady like before. Ivanka must have had solid evidence to say that to Lyla. Still, Lyla refused to believe her. Lyla believed Ivanka made up the story because she was a top-tier hacke
The corners of Ivanka’s lips curled upward. “Did you recall something?” Ivanka did not simply choose the photos. She only chose the significant ones. That day was Theodore’s birthday. Lyla took a leave to prepare a delicious meal for him. Lyla remembered waking up early in the morning to prepare for his birthday meal. After they ate their breakfast, Lyla said, “Hubby, today is your birthday. Come back early. I’ll prepare a sumptuous dinner for you.” Theodore looked a little stunned. The next moment, he smiled. “Never mind. I still have other things to handle. It’s just a birthday. It’s no longer important to me. I already had a scrumptious breakfast this morning. You don’t need to work so hard to prepare dinner for me tonight. I may need to work late and not come back tonight. You can have dinner with Chiara.” Lyla frowned. “Are you sure you’re not coming back tonight? It’s your birthday, after all.” Theodore sighed. “Sigh. There’s too much work at the company. I’ve no ch
Lyla turned to Ivanka in puzzlement. Despite this, she really wanted to know what Ivanka was about to say. “I’ll show you the photos with significant dates. Look, Uncle Theodore spent most of his time outside during festive seasons. He often told you that he had something else to handle in the company, so he couldn’t accompany you and Chiara. You never suspected him in the past. As you recall them now, don’t you realize something was off about him?” Lyla was silent. She bit her bottom lip tightly. “Besides, his mistress bought him the checkered shirt as a birthday gift. I remember he used to hate this type of shirt the most. But he eagerly put it on. Don’t you think the mistress means so much more to him than you?” As she said the final sentence, Ivanka gave Lyla a mocking smile. Lyla’s face gradually turned white. His body became tense, and she clenched her fists. She felt horrible. It was clear to see that Lyla more or less believed what Ivanka had said to her with the ph
Margaret had always wanted a daughter-in-law. Besides, the girl had to come from a wealthy family. Jonah had done so according to her will and took Chiara home, but Margaret refused to accept her. “I want a genuine couple relationship. What are you guys doing now?” Margaret’s expression was dark and cool. She took a step toward Jonah and did not even glance at Chiara. Chiara knew it was better to fall silent at that moment. Jonah said calmly, “We’re in a genuine relationship. She needs a husband. I need a wife. Would our union cast any doubt?” Melanie had just reunited with her family. Her family did not favor her, and she had to be hidden behind the scenes all the time. As for Jonah, he was a cripple who was bound to a wheelchair. He believed no one would object to the two of them getting together. On top of that, he was just using Chiara. “Indeed, no one will doubt your relationship. But I know what you’re thinking. I don’t mind the fact that you’re using her to stop
Sandy pushed Ivan away. But she still held his flowers in her arms. It was a bouquet of pink roses. Pink was her favorite color. The bag he gave to her contained her favorite food. Ivan had put in extra effort. “Think about it carefully. I’ll come again tomorrow.” Right after Ivan finished his sentence, he turned around. Looking at his gifts, Sandy felt a surge of indescribable bitterness in her heart. She did not throw his gifts away. After all, Ivan gave them to her out of his kind gesture. Sandy carried the gifts back to the office. Anna instantly spotted her. Anna raised one of her eyebrows and chuckled. “Did Young Master Ivan give them to you?” Sandy only had Ivan as her male friend. She did not deny it. Nonetheless, Anna noticed Sandy’s dull expression. Anna hesitated first before asking, “Is there any problem between you and Ivan? You don’t look happy. Is your family objecting to your relationship with him?” Sandy and Ivan had always been a quarrelsome but lo
Sandy fell silent. She looked resigned and replied to Ivan honestly, “I can’t possibly allow you to pester me for the rest of my life. My family is urging me to get married soon. With you pestering me, I think I should marry somebody else to end all this once and for all.” “Do you think I would allow that to happen?” While saying this, Ivan took a step forward. His expression darkened. He exuded an intense sense of hostility like the most horrifying creature emerging from hell. Ivan’s murderous look seemed to state that he would go to the extent of stealing the bride at Sandy’s wedding ceremony if he was not the bridegroom that day. On top of that, he gave an impression as though Sandy would either be his bride or a ghost bride. Seeing Ivan in his current demeanor, Sandy did not know if she should laugh or cry. Prior to that, she was worried that Ivan was just using her. At that moment, she finally realized the disparity of status between them. Ivanka had always believed that m
In the past, Ivan did not understand the conflicts between his parents. He thought his mother had been so cruel that she cheated on his father and abandoned him. Later, Ivan learned his mother had not been the one at fault. So, a heartless sc*m like his father was not in the position to rebuke him. If not for his parents, Ivan would not have let himself go wild and had so many girlfriends. Reuben York sounded indifferent. He made himself clear by saying, “You should, at least, marry someone with a clean background and whose parents are still around so that they could assist you—” “Does that mean I need to accept an arranged marriage by you? I’m not your only child, you can instill your way of thinking on your other children!” Right after Ivan finished his sentence, he hung up. His expression turned dark. The next moment, he accelerated the speed of his car. He carried a bouquet of flowers and Sandy’s favorite food when he showed up in front of her. For a moment, Sandy was
Ivan had not lived with his mother for a long time. Meanwhile, Sandy was her adopted daughter and the direct heir to her estate. Legally, the necklace could be considered part of that inheritance.Following that logic, Ivan had no right to speak on the matter.But to him, Sandy was just an adopted daughter. He was the biological son. Their separation had been caused by a misunderstanding. Since the truth was out, it was only natural for him to take back his mother’s belongings.If things went to court, it would be a battle between them. Both had an equal claim.By blood, Ivan had an undeniable advantage.From the way he spoke, Sandy could hear his confidence and condescension. She knew exactly what he was implying. He was prepared to fight her for the inheritance. But things had not escalated to that point yet.Even if they did, she had no fear of going to court with him. In fact, she was ready to fight.“Ivan, Mom left it to me. She never said it was for you. Whatever happened
Sandy heard the same automated response as the one on Ivanka’s phone.Did that mean they had all left together?Realizing this, she did not press Candice further. Instead, she smiled casually. “It’s nothing. Get back to work. I’ll head out now.”As she turned to leave, she pulled out her phone and sent Ivanka a message.Sandy: Call me when you turn your phone back on. Just as she was about to get in her car, her uncle, Thomas, walked up to her.The moment he saw her, he frowned. “Still upset?”“Uncle, I don’t want to think or talk about it. If you’d been through what I have, you wouldn’t be trying to change my mind.”Addressing him as “Uncle” was Sandy’s way of maintaining politeness while creating emotional distance. She hoped Thomas would get the hint and back off.Thomas was caught off guard. He fell silent and was unsure how to respond.Before he could, Sandy got in her car.On her way out of the law firm, her phone rang. It was Ivan. “My baby, Sandy, where are you?”
Chiara’s tone was sharp. Her eyes darkened with determination.James noticed. So did Jonah.Jonah snapped out of his thoughts. Chiara was trying too hard to prove herself. It was clear she wanted to use him to elevate her own status.Fine. He would let her think she was winning only to watch her fall even harder.“They’re just regular people. They aren’t worth your energy,” Jonah said. “Let’s go home and see my mom first. Tomorrow, I’ll visit yours.” He had already made all the arrangements.Chiara had no objections.Even so, she sent Katiana a message.Katiana replied right away.Katiana: Since he’s coming, I’ll gather the whole family. You’ve finally brought some honor to us. Just do your part, and I’ll handle everything else.Chiara was not surprised that Katiana would invite the entire Levine family. As the second daughter of the Levine family, she had always been under scrutiny. Katiana had pinned all her hopes on her. Katiana wanted her to make a name for herself and sec
Eleanor narrowed her eyes coldly. Her patience was wearing thin. She never kept useless pawns. Until a job was done, no one slipped from her control.Chiara sensed the threat in her tone. Panic surged through her as she rushed to explain. “No, Boss. That’s not what I meant. I was just updating you on my progress. With Jonah, I can carry out your orders more efficiently. I would never betray you, I swear.”Her voice trembled. She was genuinely terrified.Her rewritten identity as the second daughter of the Levine family, along with her top-tier disguise skills, voice changer, and first-hand access to Ivanka’s plans, proved that the person backing her had serious influence.Crossing Eleanor meant sealing her fate.She had worked too hard to secure her new life. Even though she knew Jonah was using her, being connected to him still had value. If she died, everything she had done to secure her position would be for nothing.She refused to die.“Good. Get me results. Fast. I don’t ke
Michael’s piercing gaze stayed locked on Ivanka. He was determined to get an answer.Ivanka scoffed. “What’s on my mind? From the moment you divorced me for Chiara, I saw our relationship for what it really was. You never loved me. I had to force myself to let go. Why waste time holding on to something that was never mine? I refuse to wallow in bitterness and self-pity.”Michael looked like he wanted to speak, but Ivanka cut him off. “I told you, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Stop asking the same thing over and over. It’s pointless.”Without waiting for his response, she turned and called out, “Evan, is the food ready?”“Yes, it’s coming!”Evan had been listening the whole time. Even if Ivanka had not called for him, he had already planned to bring the food out to break the tension.Once the dishes were set on the table, Michael fell silent.Ivanka immediately noticed the meal had been tailored exactly to her tastes. From the private jet to the food, Michael had put t