It was undeniable that Alexander was speaking the truth.“I’ve got a lot of other things to deal with,” Ivanka replied coldly and cut straight to the point.In other words, Ivanka was telling him that she did not have time for his nonsense.How could Alexander not understand what she was trying to convey?Though she was usually calm and strategic, she could also become emotional and impatient like other women.However, she was not as gentle or compliant as most women.“Well, if you’re in a rush, Ms. Ivanka, I won’t keep you. My point is simple—I admire you. If you agree to be with me, I’ll do more than tell you who’s behind this. I can ensure that you’re set for life.”Alexander let out a long sigh while pretending to look troubled. His subsequent words revealed his true intentions.Ivanka felt as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke. She scoffed and said deliberately, “You have the nerve to ask me that when you won’t even show your face?”Wearing a mask meant he had
Ivanka’s eyes flashed with a hint of ferocity.When Alexander saw this, he stopped provoking her further. He said, “You’re right. My phone number is also my WhatsApp. Text me if you change your mind. I’ll be waiting for you.”“That day will never come,” Ivanka replied decisively.She stood up and left.Alexander, who was standing in front of her, consciously stepped aside.This allowed her to relax her grip. She had been prepared to take action if Alexander had tried to block her, but he let her leave without resistance.However, the smoother things went, the more Ivanka felt that the future would not be peaceful. She had a gut feeling that Alexander had hidden motives.“Ms. Ivanka, are you okay?” Evan immediately approached her when he saw her coming out.Evan had been watching them closely during Ivanka and Alexander’s conversation, especially Ivanka’s expression. He was ready to step in if a confrontation had occurred.“I’m fine,” Ivanka replied coldly.She already had pla
Evan was surprised when Ivanka spoke up as she emerged from the side.Michael had just mentioned looking into Alexander. Before Evan could start the investigation, Ivanka claimed she had already found something. She was way ahead of the game!Michael turned his gaze toward her upon hearing her voice.Though he did not respond verbally, his brows furrowed. As he listened, his mind automatically recalled the scene where Ivanka met and spoke with a man named Alexander.“Mr. Barkworth asked me to look into it. No matter how well he’s hiding, we’ll uncover who he really is!” Evan spoke firmly. His gaze was filled with determination.He had already sensed the coldness in Michael’s eyes. He realized that if he did not quickly gather information about Alexander, things could go badly. After all, he was a man too. Men understood other men best.He recognized that Michael felt threatened by Alexander’s appearance. Michael was furious and filled with possessiveness.Sensing the tension, Ev
The message instantly piqued Ivanka’s interest.She began to wonder if Alexander might be a significant figure in Eldoria. Otherwise, how could a regular person be so difficult to trace when she hacked into Eldoria’s system?This, combined with the message she had just received, made Ivanka even more certain that Alexander was an important figure in Eldoria. Realizing this, she quickly retracted the Trojan horse she had just sent out.At that moment, a senior staff member responsible for Eldoria’s system noticed Ivanka retracting the Trojan horse and immediately called Alexander.“Prince Alexander, I’ve done what you asked. The other party has withdrawn the Trojan horse attack.”“I see.”Alexander smiled, a wicked grin spreading across his face.He had not expected a skilled, world-class hacker to be on Ivanka’s side.However, Alexander began to wonder if Ivanka herself might be the top hacker.After all, why would the Trojan horse have been withdrawn so quickly after seeing t
After speaking, Ivanka turned and walked away to leave Michael behind.Michael remained silent. His expression grew dark. His gaze became even colder.When he took his medicine, he frowned. “Why is this medicine so bitter?”“When is medicine ever not bitter? Besides, you didn’t complain about it this morning. Call Evan and ask him to bring you some sugar if it’s that bad,” Ivanka retorted.She looked at him with a calm demeanor, but she was actually mocking him.He was the esteemed CEO of Barkworth’s Group, not a small child! Why would he need sugar with his medicine?!“Didn’t you go out with Evan this morning?” Michael’s frown deepened when Ivanka asked him that.She was curious to know how it went.“I’ll call Evan, then,” Ivanka said as she took out her phone.“I don’t want anyone else to know,” Michael coldly interrupted her. He wanted her to lower her phone.She would have to handle it herself.“I’ll get you some honey tea.”Before Michael could respond, she called room
Ivanka did not expect the man to pretend to be an attendant. He even hid a sharp weapon within himself. The man moved so quickly that Ivanka did not have time to react. He yanked her over and pressed her neck with a sharp dagger. “Let go of her!” Michael narrowed his eyes. He shot him a cold, warning glare. Ivanka grabbed the man’s hand. The man noticed her intention and pressed the dagger harder against her neck. Ivanka’s expression darkened. She could have evaded him, but she wanted to find his real motive. The moment he attacked her, she knew he was not a threat. Little did the man realize that the moment he held Ivanka hostage, she already made eye contact with Michael. Otherwise, he could not have possibly held Ivanka hostage successfully. The man revealed his true color and blurted out with hostility, “Give me the Ganoderma nebula. If not, I’ll slit her throat!” “Do you think you can get the Ganoderma nebula after killing me?” Ivanka was undaunted. Instead, th
The poison was Cruciatus. As the name suggested, it could lead to excruciating pain. The man was shocked. He subconsciously asked, “How do you know that?” They had secretly looked for doctors to cure them. They were told that Cruciatus was a type of specially formulated poison. There was no other way to cure it except by serving the antidote. Besides, the ingredients for the antidote were precious and hard to find. Cruciatus had tortured them for many years. Upon hearing this, Ivanka chuckled. She had guessed it correctly. She said with a drawl, “I accidentally felt your pulse rate.” “Are you medically skilled?” The man was puzzled. He looked slightly dumbfounded. Ivanka raised one of her eyebrows. She grabbed his wrist with the dagger in his hand, and she said coolly, “Yes. I can get rid of the poison from your body.” The man instantly fell silent. The other men remained subdued by the side and saw their last hope about to be fooled. He was going to fail the missio
Ivanka said nothing. She gave a hint at Evan through her gaze. When Michael said nothing else, Evan did as Ivanka told by releasing the four men. The instant Evan let go of them, he snorted, “You’re lucky this time!” The four men did not say anything. They looked at Lark guiltily while he was still holding Ivanka hostage opposite them. However, it did not take long before their eyes were filled with determination and resoluteness. Lark mentally calculated the time while holding the dagger tightly in his hand. After a few minutes, he would use up all his strength and slit Ivanka’s throat. Clang! Lark’s dagger fell to the ground. His eyes widened as he stared dumbfoundedly at Ivanka who had broken herself free of him. “You…” Ivanka crossed her arms. A mocking smile arched across her lips. “I was just kidding with you. Do you really think that I’m not a match for you?” Michael dashed forward. His eyes were filled with bone-chilling coldness. “Get him.” Michael stared a
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