Ivanka frowned. She could not help but feel worried. “Just forget it. You came to see me today, yet we are still talking about all these unhappy things. What’s done is done. I don’t want to talk about it either.” Ivanka nodded and did not say anything. Sandy then looked at Ivanka again and said, “Oh right, don’t tell them about what happened this time… Telling them would only make them even more worried, and I…” Ivanka nodded understandingly. “Okay, I won’t say anything.” It was not something glamorous to Sandy. Although she just seemed like a carefree girl, she really was not one. This must have made her extremely hurt. … On the other side, after Ivan sent the message, he kept holding his phone. He sat on the couch and glanced at his phone now and then. But he did not receive any reply for a long time. He felt indescribably irritated. Eventually, he just threw the phone on the couch. Xander looked at him with a smirk. “Troubled that your sweetheart hasn’t replied
Xander said with a flat expression, “For the past few days, you have been thinking of explaining your side of the story to her and calling her. In the beginning, it was still okay. If you finish explaining your side to her this time and no longer want to pay attention to her after this, then you should know that she will only become more and more disappointed in you. Before this, the both of you were just simply bickering. But after something like this, things are no longer the same. You should understand that. ” Ivan’s eyelashes fluttered, and he did not say anything. It was obvious that Ivan listened to what he said. Xander then said calmly, “Now that things have come to this point, you do need to think about it.” Ivan still did not say anything. It was like he was considering something himself. After a pause, he picked up his phone again. Still, he did not see a reply. Ivan ran his palm across his forehead in annoyance. Then, he stood up. Watching him pick up the car keys
Sandy responded with a simple “okay” and said nothing else.Ivanka turned and headed toward the bedroom.Sandy took a deep breath and opened the door for Ivan.The moment Sandy saw Ivan’s face, her heart pounded.Ivan, too, suddenly felt a rush of emotions. He silently pursed his lips.Watching Sandy step aside, he walked straight in and changed his shoes.Neither of them spoke, but after closing the door, Sandy finally said, “Iv’s at my place. Come with me to the study.”Ivan remained silent and followed her.Soon, they were both in the study.For a moment, Ivan did not know what to say. On his way to Sandy’s place, Ivan had been thinking about how to resolve this situation and how to talk to Sandy about it.He did not know why, but upon seeing Sandy, his heartbeat seemed to quicken, especially seeing her calm expression. An inexplicable sense of panic arose within him.The door to the study was closed as well.Ivan found himself at a loss for words.Sandy glanced at hi
Sandy’s attitude was particularly harsh. It was mainly because she did not want to hear Ivan tell her not to have unrealistic hopes. She did not think she would be able to handle it. Rather than be humiliated by him, she would rather say it herself and preserve some dignity.Ivan’s brow furrowed even more as his irritation grew. However, remembering what Xander had said, he suppressed his anger.After a moment, he looked at Sandy and said in a serious tone, “That’s not what I meant. Since this happened, I don’t intend to run away from it. Sandy, I’ll take responsibility for you.”Sandy, who had been ready to lash out at Ivan for saying something hurtful, suddenly stunned.What did he say?Take responsibility for her?Did she really hear that right?For a moment, Sandy did not know what to say. She felt like she must have misheard him. If she gave a harsh response and he turned around and said she was being presumptuous, that he never said such a thing, what would she do then?A
Ivan’s brow furrowed tightly as he looked at Sandy in exasperation. “Is that really what you think of me?”Sandy laughed out of frustration. “What did you expect?”She really could not think of anything good about Ivan at the moment.“D*mn it!” Ivan felt like he was talking to a brick wall. This infuriating woman always managed to infuriate with just a few words!He had just spoken with such sincerity. What more did she want from him?Besides, what happened that day was not his choice. It was all just a coincidence! Was she taking it all out on him?Before Ivan could think further, Sandy said, “Forget it, I don’t want to argue with you anymore. It was just a membrane. I don’t care about it. You don’t need to say you’ll take responsibility for me. It’s one thing for me to be skeptical. Even if you were sincere this time, it’s just ridiculous to me. You’re such a womanizer, always surrounded by different women. Do I look like an idiot to go for a man like that? Can’t I find a good
However, as she tried to calm herself, tears began to flow uncontrollably. Sandy did not seem to notice that a tear had slipped to the corner of her mouth. She quickly sat up and wiped it away with a tissue.She sniffed. Her eyes filled with disbelief. Why was she crying?Why was she crying over a scumbag like Ivan?Oh, she must be feeling sorry for herself!She had kept her virginity for over twenty years, and now this happened. How could she not feel heartbroken?She told others she did not care, but how could she possibly not care?As she lowered her head and took a deep breath, she suddenly heard Ivanka’s steady voice. “In the end, it still hurts, doesn’t it?”Sandy’s body trembled violently. When she looked up and saw Ivanka standing beside her, her heart skipped a beat. When did she come in? How had she not heard a sound?“I...” Sandy started, but then suddenly did not know how to continue.Ivanka pulled up a chair and sat beside her. She took her hand. “We’re best frien
Ivanka gazed at her. She did not answer her immediately. It was as if she was giving Sandy some time to think.Previously, Ivanka might have been unsure, though she could sense that something was off with Sandy’s emotions. However, today, Ivanka could say she fully understood, though Sandy herself might not have realized it yet.In the past, Ivanka might have debated whether or not to bring this up, but now she found it necessary. Sandy needed to understand her complex emotions before she could make a clear decision.Sandy was still looking at Ivanka. Her voice did not sound entirely calm as she asked, “Iv, what did you mean by what you just said?”Ivanka sighed softly. “Let me ask you this, if what happened that day involved a stranger instead of Ivan, if it was a stranger you had no feelings for, how would you feel now?”Sandy was a little stunned. A stranger?“A stranger? I’d still feel awful. It was my first time, after all. I say it doesn’t matter, but I still need to proces
She had lost her heart to him?Sandy was completely stunned!In the past, she might have instinctively refuted such a statement as it was simply impossible.However, at the moment, she never expected that this could be the case!She had lost her heart to Ivan?She liked Ivan?She shook her head in disbelief. “How is that possible? Ivan and I have been rivals for so many years. We’ve both gone to great lengths to compete for that thing, and I’ve always been on guard around him. How could I possibly have lost my heart to him?”She shook her head incredulously. Her eyes were filled with a frustration that she had never felt before.However, she could not convince herself anymore. Something felt off.Ivanka remained silent. It was as if she was giving Sandy some time to think.Many things need to be understood gradually. Ivanka wanted Sandy to process her emotions step by step. If she said too much at once, it might be too overwhelming for Sandy to accept.Moreover, much of what
Ivanka understood everything just by looking at Stella’s expression.The drinks and pastries had to be the problem. The weakness and fatigue people were experiencing must have come from consuming them. She tested them with a test strip right away.As expected, they had been poisoned.She had not eaten anything, so she was fine. But she was unsure about Vincenzo, so she checked on him immediately. Thankfully, he was unharmed.Stella let out a deep breath.Before she could say anything, Vincenzo scolded her. “You ran back here and left Njord alone? Hurry up and get back there!”“Yes, Boss!”Stella responded quickly and ran off.Ivanka was about to speak when Michael and Evan rushed in.Michael looked anxious and was breathing heavily.Just like Stella, he was panicking.“Come here. Let me check.” Ivanka nodded at him. She knew how stubborn he was.Michael pursed his lips together and hesitated.But Ivanka had already stepped forward and checked on him. His pulse was weakenin
Vincenzo immediately noticed Michael putting some distance between them.It was not out of fear but respect for Vincenzo’s status. After all, he was Ivanka’s only family.Ivanka walked straight to Vincenzo without sparing Michael a glance.Michael could only stand there and watch her leave.Back at their spot, Vincenzo remained silent. Ivanka, however, felt uneasy.She had only gone to the restroom and had not expected to run into Michael.After some thought, she decided to explain.“Uncle, I didn’t go looking for him.”“You don’t need to explain. Even if you did, that’s your choice. I’ve said what I needed to. The decision is yours.”His tone was calm, but to Ivanka, it sounded like he was upset.She wanted to say more, but Vincenzo spoke first. “Don’t blame yourself. I’m not angry. Once the banquet is over, take a few days to rest. Then we’ll head out.”“Alright.”Since he had already said that, there was nothing more to say.Caeser had hosted the banquet to trigger inte
Ivanka saw the grin on Michael’s face and immediately let go of his arm. Her expression darkened with displeasure.Michael looked like he was enjoying her frustration.“I’m not,” he denied at once, quickly adding, “I’m happy because you pulled me away. It shows you care.”Ivanka was speechless.She looked at his smiling face and shook her head. “I just didn’t want you getting into a fight with Mr. George right now. If something happened to you while I was there, I couldn’t just leave. And if I didn’t, that would make me responsible for you.”Michael frowned. “Do you really think I’m that useless?”He had fought Mr. George before and never even saw him as a threat. There was no way someone like that could take him down.“That’s not the point. Mr. George isn’t alone, but you are. This isn’t your territory, Michael. And don’t forget, the drug in your system hasn’t fully cleared, and your gunshot wound—”He cut her off before she could finish.“That injury was a long time ago. I’m
Ivanka had never revealed her identity as Violet Cress. How did Mr. George figure it out just from her treating Caeser?“Mr. Ali, I only gave Mr. Hicks a few herbal prescriptions. It was nothing special.”“Caeser has plenty of skilled doctors, yet none of them could fix his condition. You did so effortlessly. That says a lot. Anyone who can earn his trust must be exceptionally capable. Ms. Ivanka, the Ganoderma Nebula is not something just anyone can use properly, nor does everyone have your level of confidence.”At first, Mr. George had not suspected anything. But after learning about the legendary medical expert, Violet Cress, he started making connections. She was well known by reputation, yet no one had ever seen her face. He had looked into her background and found that she was probably not elderly.There was also the Ganoderma Nebula.So, he made an educated guess.Looking at Ivanka’s calm reaction, he was even more convinced. When he first mentioned it, there had been a fl
A teasing voice broke the moment, interrupting Ivanka and Michael.They turned to look.Standing before them was none other than Mr. George. It had been a while since they last saw him.Michael narrowed his eyes. He had not expected him to show up at Caeser’s banquet.“What? Didn’t learn your lesson last time?” His tone was cold and sharp.As he spoke, he stepped forward. He simultaneously shielded Ivanka behind him.They knew they were in Mirvania, and Vincenzo was nearby. No matter what Mr. George was planning, he would not dare make a move under Vincenzo’s watch.Still, Michael’s reaction was instinctive.“No hard feelings, right? Isn’t this how friendships start?” Mr. George replied indifferently. He stepped to the side and looked at Ivanka.“Friends?” Ivanka let out a sharp laugh. “Be honest, Mr. George. Do you really think we could ever be friends?”She had taken the Ganoderma Nebula. He had tried to steal it by sending his men. She had turned five of them against him a
Ivanka tried to step aside, but Michael blocked her path.The acrid smell of smoke hit her.She instinctively covered her nose and mouth.Michael saw her reaction and put out his cigarette.“If I talk through a third party and they can’t get my point across to my subordinates, wouldn’t it be better to handle it myself?”Ivanka frowned. “Is this really the time to talk about this?”She thought about pushing him away, but she decided against it.“I know it’s not. I also know you did all that to make me give up. But I won’t. It will just hurt.”His voice was hoarse and tinged with sorrow.He looked heartbroken.If this had been before, she might have felt bad for him. But at that moment, she felt nothing. She said calmly, “That’s your problem, not mine. If you want to keep getting knocked out and run around like this, be my guest.”She stepped forward and pulled out her phone.Michael knew exactly what she meant. If he kept blocking her way, she would call Njord, Stella, and t
“Alright, go back to the casino and wait for my order.”The fight between Tanya and Blake had revealed how fragile their relationship was. If Tanya thought the stranger she met at the party was reliable, she would try to leave Blake.She would have thought that she had gotten her freedom. But in fact, it was just another circle of hell awaiting her.By then, Tanya would suffer a worse fate than death.That was what Ivanka wanted to see.After all, Tanya had disguised herself as Ivanka and put a stain on her reputation for a time. Moreover, Tanya was still planning to come after her and Michael.Ivanka would not intervene in the feud between Tanya and Michael, but since she had run into Tanya at the party, she would like to settle the score between her and Tanya.“That’s your plan?”As Ivanka hung up, Vincent could not help frowning.He knew what she was up to when she had asked Njord to assign the job to a man.But the progress was too slow!Ivanka nodded with a smile. “Yeah
Tanya was not a fool.Seeing Tanya’s reaction, the man smiled calmly and said, “Seriously? He’s just your boyfriend. He can’t possibly stop you from making friends, right?”Tanya ignored him and kept walking.She reached a junction and took out her phone to book a ride. But the Hicks family’s mansion was on the hillside. Moreover, Caeser had contacted the Ministry of Transport to impose traffic control in the area. Apart from those who attended the party, no one else’s vehicle was allowed to enter.Seeing that there was not a single car around, Tanya had no choice but to walk down the hill.Blake had told her to get lost, so she would not go back to the mansion to ask for his help.She walked for about five minutes. High heels were not made for long-distance walks, and she was in a long evening gown. She held a little purse that contained her phone, lipstick, a small packet of tissues, and nothing else. Worse still, she could not tear off the long hem of her gown.Tanya had no c
What Blake said struck a chord with Tanya.Her expression was cold, and the look in her eyes was vicious.She did not even love Blake, so everything he did had nothing to do with her. She did not care if he was involved with other women.“Do you have anything else to say? I don’t think I need to be at this party for long.” Tanya averted her gaze so that she did not have to look Blake in the eye.She had made her point clear. If he did not need her around, she would take her leave for the night.Naturally, Blake knew what she meant to say.“Get lost then!”He yelled at Tanya right away. She did not even spare him a look before lifting the hem of her dress, turning around, and walking away.Blake’s voice was filled with disgust, hatred, and rage. But Tanya could not care less about how he felt.She had come to the party with Blake, who arranged their ride. The Hicks, who organized this party, had prepared a parking lot for the guests. There were cars arranged neatly across the p