Ivanka frowned. “What are you doing?”“Get out. We’re grabbing something to eat first.”Ivanka looked puzzled. Michael calmly added, “It’s not time to go back yet. Let’s eat something first.”Ivanka was actually a little hungry herself. She had not eaten much, so she did not refuse.Her attitude toward Michael had changed over time. In the past, she loathed him, mainly due to their divorce. He despised her, and she was disappointed in him, which led her to emotional turmoil. However, as time passed, she managed to let go of these feelings. She no longer cared whether Michael genuinely disliked her or not. His repeated neglect no longer hurt her.She no longer minded Michael being close to other women now that they were divorced. He was single and could do whatever he wanted. For example, she knew he was dating Tanya, and it did not bother her. Whatever they did together now felt normal to her. As long as he did not misbehave or pressure her, everything else was fine.For instance
She thought for a moment before saying, “Grandma checks her phone quite often. If we appear in public together, we’ll definitely be spotted and pictures of us will be posted online. Since it’s after working hours already, shall we go now?”Michael did not respond. He simply stood up.He ignored her, but Ivanka was not bothered by this; she was used to it.She felt invisible when she was around him. In the past, this would have made her sad, but nowadays, she did not care. She felt more at ease when he ignored her.She stood up and followed him out. Michael had already called Xander to head over to the Barkworth family’s mansion.Ivanka got into the car with Michael and fastened her seatbelt. He remained silent throughout the journey back to the family’s mansion.His silence did not bother her. She took out her phone and browsed through Twitter.Pictures of her with Michael leaving Barkworth’s Group and dining together had gone viral. Various comments with different opinions floo
Rosie was stunned. The next moment, she exclaimed in disbelief, “What? What did you say? Mic, say it again. I didn’t hear it clearly.”Ivanka remained silent. She knew Rosie had heard it the first time, but could not believe what she heard. She wanted to hear it again to confirm.Michael decided not to respond and walked over to sit on the sofa.Rosie, however, was not satisfied. She looked at Ivanka and asked, “Iv, what’s going on? What did that brat just say? What were you two doing?”Ivanka’s eyes flickered with guilt. She did not know what to say. She did not want to lie to Rosie, but could not bring herself to tell such a lie. The thought repulsed her. She did not want to become too entangled with Michael, not even in a fake relationship.Michael clearly understood what she was thinking. His gaze was cold, and his expression darkened. He was not pleased with Ivanka’s constant rejection of him.Rosie was determined to get to the bottom of things. She insisted on confirming wh
If not for the fact that Rosie’s heart ached for Michael, she would have punched him multiple times. At that moment, she had no choice but to wait for Michael to say that to her again. Even though she had heard him clearly, she was still unsure. She wanted him to personally say it again. After all, Michael and Ivanka had given each other a hard time for a long time. Finally, their relationship grew after experiencing all the tough moments. Seeing that Michael had fallen silent, Rosie asked again, “What’s the main purpose of you coming over here? Do you have any more secrets hiding from me? Regardless, I’m very happy that you two admitted that you’re dating. Go ahead and do whatever you want!” Rosie looked very happy. Nonetheless, she still did not feel at ease. She somehow felt that something was off somewhere. It could be because she had been thinking about them, so she could not help but keep observing them. Rosie had looked forward to the two getting together, but Michael
Michael crossed his slender legs and said indifferently, “I’ve arranged the time with the people from the movie theater. It’s not time yet.” Ivanka quickly said, “It’s still early. We’re not in a hurry. We’ll go there after you take your shot.” She had explained the details to Xander, so he knew the arrangement. After Ivanka finished her sentence and before Rosie responded to her, they heard the doorbell ring. Ivanka said, “It could be Xander.” As she was saying that, she turned her head around. The butler already went over to open the door. True enough, it was Xander entering the house with a medical box. When he saw them inside the living hall, he smiled. “Rosie, we meet again.” Rosie replied to him in a somewhat woeful tone, “Our meeting is always an unforgettable experience for me. Xander cleared his throat. “It always happens to be a coincidence.” Rosie shook her head in resignation. Nonetheless, she straightened her body swiftly. “Come, I’m ready.” Xander glance
After finishing her last sentence, Rosie looked up at Xander. She seemed mentally prepared for his answer. Xander’s eyes flickered with some emotions. To be honest, he had no idea. He only listened to Ivanka’s instructions. However, he could not reveal anything. He looked at Rosie with a smile, then he made it sound like he was just talking about the weather. “It depends on if your body still lacks the essential nutrients. If not, then you naturally don’t have to take the injection anymore. But if your body is lacking the nutrients, you need to take the shot.” Rosie sighed in resignation. She analyzed his words and said, “In other words, I’ll need to take a few more shots if my body is still lacking the essential nutrients.” Xander said nothing more. His silence meant consent. Meanwhile, Ivanka said with a grin, “Grandma, that’s why you need to take care of your health. You need to stay optimistic and watch your temper. If not, you’ll need to take another shot.” “Why do I n
“Alright. There’s nothing more on my side. Quick, go and watch the movie now. You don’t need to keep me company. Xander, you can go back and do your work, or take a rest at home. You can all leave now.” As Rosie said this, she looked exceptionally happy. Xander looked a bit stunned and wondered. “Watch a movie together?” He wondered what had happened before he came. Ivanka fell speechless. Meanwhile, Michael said calmly, “No hurry.” “Nonsense! You can always ask them to show the movie earlier. You can go now.” Ivanka did not know what else to say. Xander touched the tip of his nose. He finally figured it out that his presence would only affect their relationship. That was why Rosie had asked him to leave. Michael looked resigned. Rosie instantly said, “Go now! Samuel will come back in a while, and I still have a lot of things to chat with him about. Don’t stay around as a third wheel over here.” Xander could not help but smile. His eyes were filled with amusement. “Ok
“I beg you. Let go of me! Please!” The girl’s voice sounded a little clearer than the other two voices. “Are you begging us to let you go? Do you think begging will help you now?” When he said this, the man suddenly laughed obscenely. “If you want, you can ask us for other things later. We might go gentle on you.” After that, the man laughed obscenely again. He sounded extremely sickening over the phone. Xander’s expression was colder as he growled, “Turn on hands-free.” The girl panicked. Only Xander could save her. She had no choice but to do what Xander asked her to. She quickly turned on the hands-free speaker function. “I’ve turned it on.” She only said these few words softly and nothing else. Just as the two men were about to come over, she raised her phone in fright and exclaimed, “The person on the phone wants to talk to you!” The men’s expressions instantly sank. “How dare you call for help, you b*tch?!” After the men said that, they rushed up and wanted to
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