But Ivanka said absent-mindedly, “It’s a possibility.”“What will you do about it?”Ivanka cut some pork on the chopping block and said calmly, “I’ll just observe how things go and react accordingly.”“Huh?” Sandy suddenly became a little anxious. “You plan to continue waiting?”Ivanka smiled wordlessly.She did not answer any further questions from Sandy.Just as Sandy started panicking, the braised pork was done.It captured all of her attention immediately. “Whoa, my long-awaited braised pork is finally ready!”Ivanka’s lips curved into a smile. “Yeah, prepare to dig in.”Since there were only the two of them, Ivanka did not prepare too much food. There were just two dishes and one pot of soup. They finished cooking in no time.“It’s tasty! It’s so tasty!” Sandy cried tears of joy. “I wish I could cook as well as you!”Ivanka smiled again. “Take your time and learn. I’ll teach you.”“Forget it… I don’t think I can master this skill. I might as well enjoy the food first.”
Theodore’s expression turned grim. He quickly shook his head. “Of course not!”He shook his head instinctively even though no one was around and he was on the phone with Chiara.“Really? Dad, I’m not sure if I should believe you.” Chiara’s voice sounded anxious. She was like a deer caught in the headlights, filled with fear and distrust.Despite feeling sorry for her, he knew it was not the time to reveal the truth. He immediately said, “Chiara, of course you should believe me. I’m your father. Why would I lie to you?”Chiara’s expression was complicated. After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Mrs. Levine told me it’s all true.”Theodore became increasingly anxious but managed to keep his voice steady. However, after hearing what Chiara said, his anger came through in his words. “She’s lying!”Chiara took a deep breath and remained silent.Theodore wanted to explain further, but after thinking for a moment, he asked, “What happened earlier? What else did she say?”Chiara pur
“Chiara, if this scandal keeps spreading, I might have to leave Lane’s Group. If that happens, we’ll lose our chance to turn things around completely.”Chiara frowned while looking troubled. “Dad, I’m powerless right now. I can’t do anything on my own, and I don’t have any real authority. I’m just a puppet...”Theodore sighed helplessly. He was not sure what to say. He had some idea of Chiara’s situation.However, he did not want the scandal to drag on for too long. If it did, someone would eventually notice and his reputation would be ruined. He would be completely cut off from the company.“Sigh...” Theodore looked distressed but did not want to end the call. Chiara sighed as well and said reluctantly, “Dad, I’ll try my best to find a solution. I’ll beg them again. But are you sure you don’t have an illegitimate daughter?”“Of course, I don’t!” he said firmly. Chiara remained worried. She thought for a moment and spoke again, “Dad, things have already escalated this far. You
Chiara frowned and sighed. “Alright, let’s stop talking about it for now. I’ll think of something. In the meantime, see if you can contact anyone on your end to clear things up.”Theodore sighed as well. “Clear things up? What good would that do? We need to find someone more powerful than Ivanka to suppress this. Otherwise...”Before he could finish, Chiara sneered. “Someone more powerful than Ivanka? Dad, are you kidding? Sadler’s Group and Barkworth’s Group are backing her. Who do you think can match that? The Levine family won’t intervene. And Tanya? There’s no way I can get her to help. What do you expect me to do?”She still doubted her father and was growing resentful.Theodore, knowing Chiara’s personality all too well, quickly said, “Chiara, you don’t believe what’s being said on Twitter, do you? I’ve always been devoted to you and your mother. When have I ever had any intentions of betraying you two?”Chiara frowned but said nothing. She was extremely upset at that moment
The more the two guards talked, the more unsettled Lyla became. She started to panic.The male staff member sneered. “They deserve it. Their family ended up like this because of their own actions. They have no one else to blame.”Lyla had lost interest in weeding, but she feared that if she stopped, she might draw attention and cause them to change the subject. She took a deep breath and continued working.The female guard laughed and glanced at Lyla, who was not far away. She continued with her mocking tone, “I’ve been following Twitter these past few days. Theodore has become public enemy number one. He can’t even stay home comfortably. He has lost all his power, and there’s no one to clear the trending topic for him.”Trending topic? What trending topic?!Lyla’s expression changed as she wondered.How could that wretch Ivanka do this?!The female guard had long suspected what Lyla might be thinking. She almost told her not to worry and assured her that she would fill her in s
The female guard’s voice was filled with sarcasm and danger. However, Lyla showed no fear. Having committed murder and confessed to her crimes, she had little left to be afraid of.She was simply standing here and talking to these two guards. What more could happen?“What’s going on outside? Is there anything besides the trending topic?” she asked as she stood right in front of them.The other prisoners glanced over. They were clearly interested in the gossip. It was a welcome change to hear about the outside world, given they could not touch a phone every day.The female guard scoffed. “What’s happening outside has nothing to do with you. It’s not like you can plan any schemes from here.”“You better have evidence for what you’re saying. You’re supposed to be legitimate officials. The court has already ruled that I didn’t kill anyone intentionally. Yet you continue speaking about my husband in that tone. Aren’t you afraid I’ll sue you? I’ll get out of here eventually.”The femal
The female guard looked at her indifferently. “Do you really think Ivanka still needs anything from you in this situation?”Lyla’s body stiffened. She became flustered.“Just get back to work. The Lane family is truly finished.”Lyla’s heart raced faster. Her uneasy premonitions grew stronger.The female and male guards ignored her and continued their conversation.They kept discussing Theodore.Lyla’s anxiety increased with each new detail. Her suspicion that Theodore was having an affair grew from fifty percent to seventy percent.She became increasingly panicked.... It was evening when Ivanka returned home.As soon as she arrived, she heard the sound of a car engine in her yard.Confused, she looked outside and spotted a familiar Rolls-Royce. Her brow furrowed.What was he doing here again? Had he not been visiting too frequently lately?As she thought about this, Michael had already opened the car door, stepped out, and was striding toward the entrance.When Ivanka
Ivanka frowned even further. “Let me go.” She stressed again. It was only then that Michael slowly let go of her hand. He then walked over to the couch and sat down on it. Ivanka gave him a strange stare. She increasingly thought that he was behaving like a child. Perhaps he behaved differently when he was sick. Without saying anything, Ivanka went to take the med kit. It did not take long before she went to Michael, then passed him a glass of warm water and pills. “Take the pills.” Michael frowned. He remained motionless and did not even glance at the pills. Ivanka felt speechless. “Why do you hate pills so much? You’re diagnosed with cancer. You can’t be inconsistent about this.” Michael pursed his lips and said nothing else. Ivanka frowned. “You’re so uncooperative. It mustn’t have been easy for Xander to still keep you this fit at this level.” Michael’s gaze turned gloomy. The next second, Ivanka looked like she figured out something. She looked at him and a
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