Ivanka pursed her lips.She was not afraid to drink, but she did not like the sharp scent of alcohol.It reminded her of the times when Michael would rather attend endless business dinners than come home to face her. It brought back memories of the vulnerable and downtrodden person she once was.As she prepared to decline politely, Michael stepped in and took the glass from the man. “She doesn’t drink. I’ll take this one for her.”Since Michael had said that, Ivanka could only manage an awkward smile.The man was not pleased, but he could not push the issue with so many eyes on them.If word got out that he was being petty at Kingzillion Casino and bullying a woman because he could not handle losing, his reputation would be in tatters.“All right, if you want to drink for Ms. Lane, that’s fine too. Here’s to you.As he said that, he raised his glass toward Michael before downing it in one go.Michael followed suit without hesitation.Meanwhile, the masked man crossed his arms
As soon as the man said those words, the onlookers turned the scene. They seemed more nervous than the three people at the table.However, in truth, the only one feeling nervous was the man.Michael and Ivanka had already won too much. If he lost again, it would not just be a blow to his pride, but his very life could be at risk.Therefore, the man was desperate to turn the tide.In contrast to his anxiousness and desperation, Ivanka and Michael remained calm and composed. Ivanka had already won a significant amount, so losing some of it would not matter. It was all winnings anyway.Michael’s true intentions were far from the game itself. His interest in the outcome of this gamble was secondary to the real reason he was here.However, right now, this game had not yet played out the way he intended.“Iv.”Michael’s sudden call caught Ivanka off guard. However, mindful of the audience, she quickly composed herself and suppressed her emotions. Even the man at the head of the tab
Michael coldly made his stance clear. At the same time, he told Ivanka to leave with him.Ivanka was a little stunned.Weren’t they supposed to keep going until they became public enemies? Was he really pulling back now?“Wait, you two lucky charms! We haven’t even had the chance to place our bets with you yet. Why are you leaving? Kingzillion Casino isn’t run by Jackie alone. If he can’t handle losing, others here can!”As Michael was about to lead Ivanka away, someone quickly stepped out from the crowd and tried to stop them.“Yes, stick around and share some of that good luck with us! Let us shake off the slump we’ve been in at Kingzillion Casino and finally get a win!”“That’s right!”...The crowd around Michael and Ivanka was filled with a mix of admiration and envy. Of course, they came out of their own accord to surround Michael and Ivanka because they were hoping to ride the wave of their fortune to win some money.After all, many of them had gambled away everything t
“Haha! Thanks to these two, I finally had a winning streak at Kingzillion Casino!”A voice suddenly erupted from the crowd and interrupted Ivanka’s train of thought.A plump man was waving his chips in the air. However, within seconds, people around him pulled him back.“You must be crazy. Their luck could just as easily turn around. Sure, we’ve won some money thanks to them, but we should quit while we’re ahead. Do you really think they’ll be able to leave Kingzillion Casino with all that cash?”The words hit the man like a cold splash of water and snapped him out of his euphoria.Ivanka, who was standing nearby, heard their conversation clearly despite their attempts to whisper.Soon, the onlookers began to disperse.Soon, the area around the table was almost empty. Only Ivanka, Michael, Evan, and Kingzillion Casino’s men remained.Bert, still seething from the kick Michael had given him and the forced apology by Jackie, made no effort to hide his disdain for Ivanka. The murd
“Turn around.”It was a command.It immediately put Michael on high alert.The sudden demand made Michael instinctively step forward and position himself in front of Ivanka.He did not know what the casino boss had in mind, but there was no way he was going to let anything happen to Ivanka right under his nose.“How may I address you, sir?”Michael pursed his lips and questioned as he attempted to divert the conversation.Ivanka understood what he was trying to do, but she could not help finding it ironic.He was being protective. She had never experienced this from him before. Why the sudden concern? “Sir, I apologize for my earlier staring. I meant no offense. I was just surprised that the owner of Kingzillion Casino is simply a middle-aged man.”Ivanka met the man’s eyes and calmly explained herself.The middle-aged man listened to Ivanka’s words and could not help but take a closer look at her.There was a flash of surprise in his eyes.Ivanka’s expression and feature
The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes and snorted. The hint of mockery on his lips was rather obvious.It had been so many years since he founded Kingzillion Casino. It was the first time someone talked to him in that manner. Besides, Michael and Ivanka were basically little kids to him!“Not quite a threat. But since we came prepared, we’ll make sure we get to leave here unscathed,” Michael said somberly. He looked the man in the eye, undaunted.The casino did not allow them to take the money they won and refused to help them out either. Ivanka thought that the man before them was dangerous.“Then, what should we do to convince you to let us go? I think the money we won is worth a request: you have to promise to play fair during the auction. Don’t you think so?“Although it’s money we got from the casino, we still won it fair and square. We’ve come to discuss this matter with you in good faith. If this negotiation falls apart, your reputation will be impacted as well.”Ivanka pu
“Sure.”The middle-aged man accepted Ivanka’s invitation.“We’ll decide the time and place after the auction ends.”Ivanka smiled and replied, “Okay.”“We shall take our leave now.”Michael nodded to the man and left the casino with Ivanka.As soon as they left, Njord turned to his boss with confusion. “Boss, they crossed the line. Are we going to let them go just like that? Darko has been acting weird too. It usually barks at strangers. Why was it so quiet in front of those two?”If Njord had not brought this up, the man would never have noticed this detail.He could not help thinking about Ivanka and suddenly realized that dogs would never behave erratically around people they spent time with and regarded as their family.Was Ivanka related to the woman from his past?“Njord, run a background check on those two, especially the young lady. I want to know everything about her!”Hearing his boss’ abrupt order, Njord was very surprised. “Boss, what about her? I can tell you’re
“What makes you think they are delusional, rather than taking a gamble? Let’s not look down on Michael and Ivanka. They are no fools.” There was a hint of coldness on his smile as he refuted the woman.The woman immediately burst out laughing. “Gamble? Well, if they die, what else can they do with it?”As she spoke, a murderous look flashed in her eyes.She then revealed her plan. “Ivanka will die during the auction. Imagine how delighted she would be, when she thought she could get what she wanted. I want her to die just as painfully.”The woman was very determined about this.“You’d better forget it! Her death will not benefit you. Besides, what makes you assume you’ll succeed?” As soon as the man heard her plan, he frowned in disapproval.He believed that the auction must go off, or else they would not get the Ganoderma nebula. If so, he would not be able to hurt Michael and make him suffer.But the woman turned toward the window and did not listen to the man. She had her own
Instead, she remained standing in front of Jimothy and studied the group of men with a smile.“He works at our company. Since I’ve run into him, I’m obligated to come over and check on him. Pray tell, what has happened between you and why do you feel the need to resolve it with violence?”Jimothy stared at Candice while she stood with her back facing him. The look in his eyes was conflicted.The men exchanged glances with each other and saw a hint of astonishment in one another’s eyes.The man at the front of the group, who was likely their leader, said, “We just get paid to do this, lady. You should stay out of it.”When Candice heard his advice which also sounded like a threat, she did not intend to back down at all. Instead, she asked him, “Oh? How much did you get for this? I’ll pay you double. I just told you that this guy works for us, so I have to intervene.”The leader started laughing, and so did the men behind him. They did not even bother to hide the mockery in their t
Candice ordered some food she liked, and the dishes arrived soon after.Sandy suggested that they all took a picture together.The others did not object.Sandy gave her phone to the waiter.Then the five of them moved their chairs to sit in a row.Michael and Ivan each took the outermost seats.Naturally, Ivanka was seated next to Michael while Sandy, who paid for the dinner, was right beside her.Next to Sandy was Candice, who sat awkwardly in her chair. Ivan was beside Candice.The second the waiter took the picture, Ivanka and Michael exchanged glances inadvertently. Meanwhile, Ivan stared past Candice, and his eyes fell on Sandy.Sandy and Candice were the only people who looked into the camera.But each and every one of them had a genuine smile on their face.Once they had taken a picture, they started eating together.It was a nice, relaxing dinner. They did not talk about work or how annoying Coco had been.They mostly chatted about the fun anecdotes they had he
The call was soon answered, but the person who picked up was not Rosie. It was Mrs. Ruth.“Ms. Lane, you finally called! Mdm. Barkworth will be over the moon when she wakes up!” Mrs. Ruth sounded quite excited as she spoke.Ivanka smiled and asked, “Is Grandma resting now?”“Yeah, she hasn’t had a good rest after learning that you’d be kidnapped. Once you were safe, she finally allowed herself to rest.”Ivanka nodded and told Mrs. Ruth to take good care of Rosie. She later said that she and Micheal would visit Rosie soon.With that, she hung up the phone.Meanwhile, she also reflected upon herself.Rosie had gotten old, yet Ivanka always made her worry. From that moment on, Ivanka would consider the consequences before making any decision. It was not only for the sake of herself, but the important people in her life, who also cared about her.As she contemplated this, Ivanka inevitably thought of the gathering. It would be quite fun.Before they were about to get off work, San
Coco practically ran out crying.Candice glanced at Ivanka worriedly and asked, “Will something bad happen to her?”Ivanka was not concerned at all. “What could possibly happen? She is an adult. Even if something bad happens, she has to bear the consequences of her own action.”Hearing that, Candice no longer fretted over the matter.She was not really worried about Coco. She was just afraid that something would happen to Coco, and Ivanka would be blamed for it.But Ivanka had made a good point. Candice did not want to trouble herself with Coco’s matters. It would only be an unnecessary emotional burden to her.Everyone in the office began discussing the progress of their project.Perhaps it was because Ivanka had made an example of Coco, the other employees became especially energized and diligent during their discussion.They were even more focused than before, since they were all afraid that Ivanka would treat them harshly as well.Hence, they were particularly efficient.
“Why don’t we leave now so that you can deal with this matter, Ms. Ivanka?”The director of the project department, who was perceptive and shrewd, planned to leave right then. Ivanka shook her head and signaled everyone to sit down.They were all uneasy, and they kept giving Coco weird looks.Two people had dared speak to Ivanka like that in the past—Ferris and Mandy.But those two were no longer with the company.At the thought of those people, the project department staff began looking at Coco with pity.However, Coco could not care less. All she wanted was to make a fuss.She wanted to see how shameless Ivanka could be.Unruffled, Ivanka stared at her. She did not get angry and seemed rather affable as she asked, “Tell me what upset you. Have we falsely accused you of something you didn’t do?”Before Coco said anything, Ivanka added cruelly, “Oh, I forgot that you aren’t familiar with the protocol here, so you have no idea what you did wrong, right?”Coco paled. Undoubte
Candice was momentarily stunned by his answer. She was a little offended.“Then why did you come to my office for this conversation?” Jimothy’s grin was mischievous. “To prove your company’s HR is blind, and you just lost a great talent. That’s all.”With that, Jimothy stood up, dusted off his sleeves dramatically, and turned to leave.“Your resume!” Candice called after him.Jimothy waved dismissively without looking back. “Keep it. Enjoy reading it. And don’t let an incompetent HR handle your interviews again.”Candice stood there for a moment and processed the scene before an involuntary chuckle escaped her lips. This one had personality.Regardless, the incident served as a wake-up call for Candice.It became glaringly clear that Coco was not only incompetent but also prone to overestimating her abilities.Before the task was assigned, she had the chance to decline. Candice had given her the opportunity and explicitly asked if she could handle it. Yet, Coco confidentl
The college student finally believed her and walked toward Candice.On the other hand, Coco seemed guilty and was desperate to prevent it. “He has no respect for our company! Are you really going to hire someone like him who won’t follow orders?” Coco’s tone was sharp. Her finger trembled as she pointed at the young man.She scanned the room for backup in hopes that the people who had been flattering her earlier would speak up in her defense.Unfortunately, no one stepped forward.Those who flattered Coco only did so out of respect for Ivanka. Yet Candice had a close relationship with Ivanka and was the company’s vice president.The gap between a vice president versus an intern was as vast as night and day.Anyone with common sense knew where to align themselves.Coco felt a mix of despair and resentment.Candice ignored her entirely. Why Ivanka was so wary of someone as clueless as this was beyond her comprehension.Coco was simply dumb.Without wasting another thought o
However, reality proved she had worried for nothing.Candice had called her over merely to ask if she had the most basic professional knowledge and whether she could handle the afternoon’s interview.Coco let out a deep sigh of relief before patting her chest confidently and assuring Candice she was more than capable.Knowing Coco came from the mountains, Candice was naturally skeptical, so she asked again, “Are you sure?”Coco thought to herself that it was just an interview. All she needed to do was just ask the candidates some questions. They could just choose someone who wrote the resume well.Not wanting to embarrass herself in front of Michael’s cousin, Coco pretended to be confident and accepted the task.Candice was half-doubtful, yet she still gave her instructions and let her go.However, Coco’s firm assurance eventually led to trouble....“Your company must be a joke to hire someone like you for HR. You’re offended? You’re not even a real professional. What? You ca
Word quickly spread within the HR department. After learning about Coco’s connection to Ivanka, some colleagues were vying to curry favor with her.Although some observant individuals noticed that the relationship between Coco and Ivanka was not as harmonious as it seemed, it did not deter the opportunists. Relentless flattery and attention poured in.One moment, a male coworker would offer to grab her food while placing his own lunch order. Next, a female coworker would ask if she wanted to order some coffee too.At first, Coco was caught off guard and politely declined. However, as she realized their intentions were purely self-serving, she began to accept their gestures without hesitation.By midday, Coco had become the department’s little queen. Ironically, as an intern, she should have been the one fetching coffee, running errands and collecting mail. Instead, she had colleagues practically lining up to do those tasks for her.Coco quickly assembled her own little e