“Things are going as per usual, but now there’s a new piece of the drama—Chiara’s death.” Ivanka picked up her cutlery and put a small piece of food into her mouth. “Oh?” Sandy scoffed. “She did that? What’s Lyla’s reaction to that? Did she cry and throw a tantrum?” “She’s really smart and figured out that this was a whole act really quickly. Her acting is really convincing too.” Sandy sneered. “B*stards! Let’s quickly figure out something and let her stay behind bars forever! Not having to die after murdering someone is pretty good too, don’t you think? We’ll just let her be imprisoned for life! This kind of torture is worse than death! Living a life that is worse than death is the best revenge!”Ivanka smiled. “I’ll do my best.”Sandy laughed out loud. “Have you eaten yet, Bestie?”“I’m eating.”“Yeah, I’m eating too. Let’s talk while eating.” After Sandy finished talking, she put on her headphones. This made it easier for her to eat.After swallowing, she started to talk
Ivanka did not understand. “What?” Sandy immediately praised her. “This is clearly so dangerous, but you’re not letting your emotions control you. In fact, you’re still so calm. If it were me, I would have gone crazy! I might have even died from the anxiety!” Ivanka pursed her lips. “There’s no need to worry. It’s fine.” Sandy shook her head. “Seriously, you’re only okay because you’re excellent, and you’re great with pressure… This is a freaking major issue!” “Okay. Go have your lunch, I’m eating here too. We’ll chat more the next time we meet. You’ll need to be careful too. You might get dragged into this.”“It’s nothing. I don’t have any baggage, so even if they catch me, it’s nothing. You don’t need to worry,” Sandy said in a completely carefree manner.Ivanka looked conflicted. In the end, she just grunted. They hung up. … Meanwhile in Cullen’s Group, Tanya just had her lunch. She did not plan to take a full lunch break, because she still had a load of work on her h
Tanya kept her emotions under control. In the end, she growled, “What do you want to say to me? If you just want to push me into doing something, there’s no need for this, right?” The other person laughed softly, but because they were using an older man’s voice, it still sounded a little low. In fact, it was even a little grating to the ears. Immediately after, the other person once again said casually, “Ms. Tanya, if you don’t try, the man you love oh-so-much will just slip out of your grasp. You are so capable, there’s still a chance for you if you make an effort. You’re not like Chiara. She could do nothing about her situation.”Tanya narrowed her eyes. Sure enough, it was definitely her. Immediately after, the other person said, “So, you can still use the good old method. Haven’t there been any good collaboration projects recently? If there is, you can try again. But this time, I hope that you can pick one that can really attract Michael and not the projects that are just d
“Alright. Then, I wish you success in advance.” The person sounded quite laid back and casual.Tanya did not respond and hung up. Her expression became grimmer than before.She held her forehead with one hand and gently rubbed a temple with the other before increasing its intensity.She really had a real headache.After taking a deep breath, she finally took out her phone and sent a WhatsApp message to Michael.On WhatsApp, she had an extremely good proposal. She wanted to show it to Michael. If Michael was willing to work with her, she might be one step nearer to success.She had been asking her staff to come up with very good proposals to present to her for some time. She had picked this out from hundreds of proposals. If Michael was still not satisfied with this, she had no idea what else she could do… After sending it over, she then typed another message to Michael.Tanya: Mr. Barkworth, please have a look at this proposal. If you’re interested, you can contact me. I can
The next day, Ivanka went to work as usual. However, she suddenly received a call from Samuel. Ivanka dropped everything at the company immediately. She then informed Thomas and hurriedly rushed over.Samuel looked at Ivanka when she reached the Barkworth family’s mansion. “You’re finally here! Go check up on Rosie!” Samuel’s gaze when he looked at Ivanka was no longer filled with disgust like before. Instead, he looked at Ivanka as if she was the pillar that was keeping him going.“What happened?” Ivanka’s brow furrowed. She just visited Rosie yesterday, and there was nothing wrong with her. How could Rosie suddenly faint? Samuel immediately brought Ivanka into their bedroom. There were only three of them inside the house. Rosie was still unconscious. Samuel said, “She wasn’t really lively today. When she talked to me, she suddenly remembered how I’ve been cruel to you in the past. So, she started criticizing me for the things I did. I didn’t even dare to talk back, but she fa
Ivanka was not the only one feeling awful. Even Samuel really regretted his action. He did not admit it earlier, but he was fully aware of his mistakes. At that moment, he mentally berated himself. He questioned himself why he had shown such a bad attitude when he was well aware of his wife’s condition. Ivanka was not at fault. She had even gone out of her way to help. Why had he been so stubborn about acknowledging that? It was as if he was driven by some form of obstinacy. At that moment, Samuel felt like slapping himself, but he could not do that in front of Ivanka. It would be too undignified. Samuel sighed internally and restrained his emotions. He was so caught up in blaming himself that he did not notice the mixed emotions in Ivanka’s eyes. After a moment, Ivanka said softly, “Grandma’s collapse this time is a first. I hope that you can be more considerate of her emotions from now on. Honestly, Jay and Michael can handle the company matters well. Although Grandma often qua
Just as Ivanka had predicted, Rosie woke up 45 minutes later.Samuel, who had been waiting anxiously by her side, finally felt relieved and asked in pleasant surprise, “You’re awake?”Rosie looked confused as she glanced around the room. Realizing it was her bedroom, she felt even more bewildered. “What time is it now?”She could not tell the time. She was unsure if she had just taken a nap or if it was early morning.For a moment, she could not tell if it was morning or afternoon.Samuel immediately said, “It’s a little past one. It’s still early. If you’re tired, you can go back to sleep for a while.”Rosie was even more confused.She thought. “1 p.m.? Did I really take a nap?”Something did not seem right to her.Had she eaten lunch?How come she had no memory of it?Seeing Rosie’s confused expression, Samuel feigned ignorance and asked, “What’s with that look? Did you have a dream?”Rosie looked at him in puzzlement. “Did we have lunch?”Samuel snorted. “Lunch? You wer
Rosie’s emotions softened a little as she looked at him with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.Samuel continued. “But over this period, I’ve come to realize that Ivanka isn’t the person I once thought she was. Even with my attitude toward her, she’s always been good to you and hasn’t let my behavior affect her respect for me. That has changed my impression of her.”Rosie blinked. She was still silent as she kept feeling that something was not quite right. However, she was genuinely happy that Samuel had changed his mind.Then, she heard Samuel’s calm voice again.“Honestly, we got married because we loved each other. Remember how my family was against our relationship? But I chose you over them, even if it meant cutting ties. Despite everything, we’ve been happy together all these years, and I understand what love feels like. Now, I can see that that brat has feelings for Ivanka. So, if he really loves her, I shouldn’t stand in their way anymore. Finding someone you love to spend yo
Ivanka did not pay him any mind and got into the car. If Michael dared to chase after her again, she would most definitely kick him out of the car! She would do what she said she would!Michael did not catch up, but he blocked her with his arms wide open. His stance was clear: You can leave. But over my dead body! Ivanka could not possibly drive over Michael. But it was not a problem for Michael to keep blocking her way. Plus, she had just politely rejected his parents. So, it was even more impossible for her to turn back. Ivanka ran out of patience. She held her forehead and frowned. Michael had already drained her last bit of patience. She never imagined that Michael would actually cling to her to such an extent! How would she put it? All her positivity had been drained clean! “Michael, your parents are still at home. Aren’t you afraid they’ll see and laugh at you? I know Grandpa and Grandma are standing by our side now. It’s not like you and I haven’t been in
Ivanka would neither accept the carrot nor the stick approach. Michael had no choice but to persuade her with reason and win her over with affection. Ivanka snorted. “Have you ever given me a chance to have a meal with you before this? As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time for things to come to this state. Things might have passed for you but not for me!” Ivanka’s gaze was razor-sharp. Michael felt his heart clench up. At that moment, his throat was in so much pain that he did not know what else to say to her. Ivanka did not wait for his response. She pushed away his hand and headed out without hesitation. Michael did not stop her. Nonetheless, he went after her and followed behind her. Meanwhile, they heard the sound from the kitchen. Mindy prepared dinner in the kitchen, and Jay helped her out. They had heard their conversation. Out of courtesy, Ivanka went to the kitchen and greeted them. She said with a smile, “Uncle Jay, Aunt Mindy, I’m
Ivanka clenched her fists. Her gaze was filled with ferocity. She looked like she was really going to punch Michael. Michael noticed the anger in her eyes. But since the person was none other than Ivanka, he was willing to take the beating. He even took a step forward and held his head high. “Strike me if you want.” “You!” Ivanka glared at Michael. He truly annoyed her. She reminded herself to keep her composure. She sucked in a deep breath before saying, “Michael, I’ve treated you with respect. You’d better behave yourself.” Right after she finished the sentence, Ivanka left. Before she even took a step forward, Michael grabbed her. “My mom is preparing the dishes inside the kitchen. If you leave now, you’re not showing me any respect. Please stay around to have dinner. Even though we’re already divorced, and it’s impossible for us to get back together again, we’re still friends,” said Michael. Haha! He had been adamant. He was using the same approach to draw close
Mindy’s expression instantly darkened. “What’s with us being prejudiced against her? Had I ever targeted her when she married Michael from the beginning? “She knew how well Rosie had treated her. It’s her own fault for failing to bond with Mic. How could you blame us?” Mindy had always disliked Ivanka. She believed Samuel’s intervention had been the reason for their marriage. It was an arranged marriage. There was no need for the Barkworth’s family to have an arranged marriage. At the end of the day, it was all up to Samuel to choose the bride for Michael. Ever since Ivanka married Michael, aside from the deliberate arrangements, they had hardly shown up together as a couple in public. Mindy did not have any particularly hard feelings for Ivanka. She believed the two would live happily together after getting married. After they divorced, Mindy thought Michael could start all over again. But she did not expect to see their current relationship was no different from when they
It was Jay and Mindy. When Ivanka saw them, a thought came across her mind. She took out a syringe and inserted it into Michael’s arm to unmute him. Michael felt like he had been stung by a bee. It was as though he had been put in jail, only to be freed all of a sudden. Ivanka took away the syringe and gave him a glance with displeasure. “Get out of the car now. Your parents are here—” “Aren’t you entering the house?” Before Ivanka finished her sentence, Michael interrupted her. When he looked at her, his eyes were filled with sincerity and seriousness. But Ivanka rejected him coldly. “Quick! Get out of the car! I’m not joking with you. Get out now!” “Let’s go in together. After all, you’re already here. Are you worried about seeing them?” Michael was undaunted by her emotions and tone. Instead, he stretched out his hand to try to grab Ivanka. Nonetheless, she avoided him with ease. Meanwhile, Jay and Mindy saw them. They walked over to them. Mindy glanced at th
It was no wonder Jonah asked for so many details. All these were facts.Ivanka did not avoid answering his questions. She gave a light smile. “The longest will be half a year.”If the treatment was ineffective after half a year, she would go to Silvania with Vincent.After all, it was not just about her.Upon learning of Ivanka’s decision, Jonah smiled wryly. “Iv, I don’t think it’s an easy feat to treat my legs. How about you go and deal with your stuff first? You can always treat my legs afterward.”Ivanka initially planned to do it that way. But George, Florence, and Margaret had interrupted her plan.Since she had returned to Bostone, why was there a need to travel back and forth again?She might as well treat Jonah’s legs.Besides, Vincent had informed her that it would be highly uncertain whether they could still return to their home country after arriving at Silvania.Ivanka said, “No. I don’t want to make so many trips. I’ll treat your legs for half a year and see if i
It was not an overstatement to say Michael was crossing the line. Nonetheless, Ivanka could not just sit there and watch the two men get into a conflict. Hence, Ivanka pulled Michael to the side and glanced at him. “If you don’t want to be kicked out, you’d better wait here.” But Michael was undaunted by Jonah. Although Jonah had the power to rebuke him in his own territory, Michael refused to allow Jonah to get the upper hand. Ivanka saw the determination in Michael’s eyes. She was very worried that the two might get into a fight. She quickly pulled him back. “Stop making me worry about you. Just wait here! If you dare to come after me, I’ll…” Although she did not finish her sentence, her intention was clear enough. If Michael disobeyed her, she would make him a statue! Understanding this, Michael did not follow Ivanka. But when Jonah turned around and left, the provocation in his eyes was evident. Still, Michael listened to Ivanka. He did not want to offend her. He
Jonah narrowed his eyes while questioning Michael. Still, Michael did not respond to him. Ivanka pursed her lips. She looked displeased when she answered Jonah, “Jonah, there’s no need to speak so harshly. Do you still want me to treat your legs?” She had temporarily made Michael mute. She did that to stop Michael from talking endlessly about those things. Nonetheless, he had still insisted on coming along with her, only to end up being targeted by Jonah. Ivanka had no intention of making Michael mute in front of Jonah. Upon hearing Ivanka’s words, Jonah looked at where she currently stood. She stood in front of Michael. It looked like she was trying to protect him more. As the saying went, true love was portrayed in hard times. This saying was true indeed. It was true that Ivanka cared about Michael. Jonah said gently to Ivanka, “I want you to treat my legs, and I only speak harshly to specific people. I already showed him much respect when he barged into my terri
Michael remained resolute.Ivanka rolled her eyes. “Then stay stubborn. I’ll only fix it when you stop pushing me away.”After she was done speaking, she turned to leave.Michael followed.He even opened the passenger door and got in her car. He was determined to follow her.But Ivanka would not go easy on him.Once inside, she warned him coldly, “Not being able to speak is harder than you think. Follow if you want. Michael, are you sure about this?”Even after her warning, he kept staring straight ahead.She said nothing more and started the engine.Within half an hour, she arrived at Jonah’s mansion.Jonah came out to greet her personally. The moment Ivanka parked the car, Jonah immediately spotted Michael in the passenger seat.The sight of him stirred up bitterness in Jonah. Yet there was nothing he could do.Before Ivanka exited the car, she said to Michael, “Wait here.”Without glancing at him, she walked straight toward Jonah.Her attitude made Michael decide t