Michael broke the silence and said calmly, “It’s getting late. Let’s get some rest.”After speaking, he stood up and went to his room.Ivanka’s frown deepened.... Michael remained at Ivanka’s house for several days.This made her feel incredibly resigned.He would ignore her words and follow her around everywhere.Eventually, she had no choice but to compromise.She thought that if she could just endure it a little longer, it would all be over. Michael would then stop hovering around her.During these past few days, they barely spoke to each other.Ivanka had been considerate and included Michael in her meal preparations even though he had not asked for it. Over the past few days, Michael’s condition improved. Although he had not mentioned it, it was evident that his stomach was feeling much better.Xander noticed something different about him.He looked at Michael with some confusion and said incredulously, “Have you really been taking such good care of yourself lately?
Michael’s expression darkened. His eyes flashed with a sharp, intense glare.“Ugh, talk about bad luck! But have you heard? Some people are shipping you two as a couple,” Ivan said amusedly. “Seriously, what do you think it’d be like if you two actually got together?”Michael’s face grew even more somber.He knew exactly who Ivan was referring to.Lately, there had been a lot of buzz online about Michael and Jonah being the true couple. Netizens claimed that Ivanka was the one who disrupted their lives and was the real third wheel.They argued that without Ivanka, Michael and Jonah would be torturing each other every day, which they considered a true display of love. Both men came from good families, were good-looking, and excelled in every aspect. They were considered a perfect match and truly a well-suited pair.While Ivanka was excellent and an elite among women, she was still far behind Michael and Jonah in terms of power and wealth. According to this narrative, she deserved
“Sure, just let me know if you need anything. Or, if you want, I’m free this week. I could go with you,” Xander said to Michael casually.Ivan immediately raised his hand. “Perfect, then you go! That works for me! I’m busy trying to win over Sandy.”“Sandy?” Xander asked with a hint of amusement. “Didn’t you always call her ‘tomboy’? Why are you using her name?”“Hey! Only I’m allowed to call her that. You guys can’t!”Xander snorted dismissively. “Pathetic.”Michael frowned and gave Ivan a strange look. He silently looked away.He did not share the odd feeling he had, but it lingered in his mind.“Come on, let me make a toast to wish you both good luck,” Xander said as he raised his glass toward the two of them.Michael glanced at the plain water in his glass distastefully.Xander smirked and said, “It’s alright; your drink can wait. It’s rare for your stomach to be functioning so well, so let’s leave it at that.”Michael did not respond. He picked up his glass of water.Iv
“Ugh.” Ivan stopped talking. The thought of Sandy annoyed him. He hesitated for a moment before pulling out his phone and sending a text message to her.Ivan: D*mn woman! You’re already mine! How long are you going to keep avoiding me? Are you shy or something?After sending the message, he set his phone down with a sigh. After so many days, he had grown accustomed to his messages disappearing into the void with no response.This was extremely frustrating for him.However, just as he set his phone down, it vibrated. His eyes lit up as he quickly picked it up. He crossed his fingers, hoping it would not let him down. To his delight, Sandy had replied to his message!He said excitedly, “Oh my God! This is unbelievable! She actually replied to me!”Sandy: Seriously? Who says I’m yours?! Watch your language and stop bothering me!Ivan was instantly thrilled. “Wow! My girl replied to me! Even though she’s mad at me, it’s still amazing!”Michael looked confused, and Xander was speec
After a night of revelry, everyone finally dispersed.Ivanka wrapped things up with everyone and fell mostly silent.As Ivanka and Michael prepared to leave, they made sure everything was in order.In another part of the world, where it was daytime, Alexander and Eleanor sat across from each other. Alexander was exceptionally handsome and possessed a physique more refined and less rugged than typical Westerners or Easterners. He resembled someone from Zeminia. He gently swirled a glass of red wine. Any girl would be thrilled by his striking features and well-proportioned body. In Zeminia, he could easily be compared to Michael or Jonah, both in terms of abilities and physical appearance.Opposite him sat Eleanor. She looked rather alluring. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail. Despite her heavy makeup, she looked exceptionally glamorous.She looked at Alexander with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. “I heard Michael is coming over this time, and he’s determined to get
Eleanor frowned and turned to Alexander. “Are you mocking me or criticizing me?”“I’m just telling you the truth,” he replied curtly. He stood up and headed for the door. “I have other matters to attend to. Take care.”Eleanor’s expression darkened further, but she could only watch as Alexander left. She had always known that he should not be provoked. However, a vicious glint flashed in her eyes as she thought about their impending arrival.In Zeminia, she might have been constrained in many ways, but here she had more freedom to act. With that thought, the sinister intent in her gaze deepened.... Meanwhile, the sun shone brightly in Zeminia as Ivanka and Michael finished their breakfast and set out for the day.They were currently on a plane. Ivanka sat by the window. She leaned back in her seat with her eyes closed to rest.Michael, on the other hand, diligently went through some documents.Even though both were company executives, Ivanka’s workload was much lighter than M
“If we’re really here to use each other for mutual gain, please show some cooperation instead of me having to keep making the first move. Look, you didn’t even inform me that you’ve postponed your welcoming banquet. Do you think you’re still worthy of my trust?” Since Chiara went straight to the point, Tanya stopped beating around the bush and was frank to her. “I’m telling you right now, aren’t I?” Chiara answered curtly. Tanya was no ordinary woman. In fact, she could be vastly more powerful than Chiara. Chiara had no choice but to politely persuade her. Tanya did not reply. Chiara blurted out in frustration, “You knew about my current situation very well. I don’t have much say in this case. I took the risk to tell you all this. I hope you’ll be more understanding.” Tanya looked absolutely calm. In spite of Chiara’s submissive tone, Tanya was not affected at all. Above all, Tanya did not trust a word. Tanya remained silent and let Chiara continue. Chiara’s expression grew inc
Tanya fell silent. She did not want to comment. A hint of mockery darted across Chiara’s eyes. She knew how much it bothered Tanya. Chiara’s lips twitched. A hint of disdain flashed in her eyes before she continued, “I’ll say this, their departure is not as simple as it appeared to be. The mysterious person decided to postpone the banquet because Michael and Ivanka went to the auction. You should go there as well.” Tanya said calmly, “Are you saying that I should attend the auction too?” “It’s natural for you and your family to bid for something from the auction, after all. The auction in Mirvania isn’t any ordinary auction.” Tanya ignored her and asked, “What do you want me to do after arriving at the auction?” Chiara chuckled. “Nothing. Just have a look there, that’s all.” Tanya was puzzled. “By the way, you need to bid something at the auction. Once you’re there, you can’t remain idle. You can hide your identity, but you don’t need to hide it on purpose. It doesn’t
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