Alexander’s actions had just shifted all the attention back to Ivanka.What was he really up to?Many in the crowd began to suspect that Alexander did not really want to dance with Ivanka. Instead, it seemed like he had ulterior motives.Ivanka frowned as she watched him walk away. Her gaze was heavy with contemplation.Michael’s expression had darkened considerably. Noticing that Ivanka was still staring at Alexander’s back, he said in a serious tone, “Don’t want to let him go?”Ivanka was startled and turned to him, baffled. “What nonsense are you talking about?”Michael pursed his lips and fell silent.However, his arm remained firmly around her waist and showed no intention of letting go. They were standing so close that Ivanka began to sense something was off. She said, “You can let go of me now.”Michael’s expression, which was already icy, seemed to grow even colder.Just when Ivanka thought he would finally release her, Michael tightened his grip and started leading he
As Eleanor listened to the dial tone, she could not help but picture Alexander’s beautiful, stern, cold face while seething with anger.She was a princess, after all. She was second only to the ruler of her nation!Yet she had been warned by Alexander in such a way. It felt like an insult. This was Ivanka’s fault!Her hatred for Ivanka only deepened. Her eyes were burning with fury and hatred.One day, she would end Ivanka’s life!...Ivanka and Michael found a quiet side room with no one around.Just a few steps ahead, there was a small private room.Since the event had not started, they could slip inside and briefly rest undisturbed.Ivanka turned to Michael and suggested, “Michael, let’s go to that private room.”“All right,” Michael responded in his usual low, steady tone. They walked into the small room together.As they stepped inside, Ivanka took the opportunity to remove Michael’s hand from her waist.Now that they were alone, there was no need to keep up appearance
Bang! A gunshot cut Michael off mid-sentence as the leader of the five men fired his gun in irritation.Evan, who was trying to play his part, pulled out his own gun, but before he could even pull the trigger, he was quickly overpowered by the group.Seeing this, the man Ivanka had previously detoxified revealed the time bomb in his hand and lifted it threateningly. “Take a good look. You’ve got one minute. If you don’t hand over the Ganoderma nebula, you’ll be blown to pieces!”Ivanka feigned panic, “Michael, I think we should just give them the Ganoderma nebula. The casino owner is hosting another event in two days. We can ask him then if there’s another way to get another Ganoderma nebula.”“Fine.”Michael frowned. His expression was grim, but he remained silent.Ivanka did not hesitate. She quickly handed over the fake Ganoderma nebula to the man called “Lark,” while subtly signaling to him with her eyes.Lark snorted. “Smart choice! We’ll let you off this time.”With the G
When Evan heard Ivanka’s explanation, it all suddenly made sense. A smile spread across his face, followed by a wave of admiration.“Ms. Lane, you’re brilliant.”However, Ivanka did not take all the credit for herself. She pointed to Michael beside her and smiled. “Your boss played his part quite well too.”Evan was unsure of what to say because Ivanka was right. Michael had indeed played along remarkably well. Evan had been surprised by Michael’s willingness to compromise at the time.But then again, it was clear this was all for Ivanka’s sake.As an observer, Evan could see the unspoken understanding between them. If they had not divorced, their relationship might be blooming right now.Though he secretly hoped they would get back together, he did not have the nerve to try and play matchmaker....Tanya had just arrived at the casino when she received a report from her subordinates.“Ms. Tanya, Kingzillion Casino has postponed the gathering to two days from now. They’re host
Ivanka frowned as her expression darkened. “What did he eat today?”Hearing that, Evan instantly pulled a long face. “Mr. Barkworth was with you the entire day. We all ate the same thing. You and I are fine, but he got sick shortly after returning from the casino. I wanted to go to you, but he wouldn’t let me…”As he spoke, he quickly put the blankets in his hands on Michael.Meanwhile, Michael’s hands started trembling, and his palms were as cold as ice!Ivanka frowned.Since Michael did not eat anything strange, it meant that he had been drugged with a kind of poison that could induce chills.Without hesitation, Ivanka immediately said to Evan, “Increase the temperature in the room. I’m going to get him some medicine!”But just as she turned around, Evan called after her with a solemn expression. “Ms. Lane, I’ll go. What if someone takes advantage of our situation and comes after you?”Most importantly, Michael would want Ivanka to stay by his side. Making her stay was the be
Once everything was done, Ivanka left the rest to Evan. “Watch him closely. This must go on for two hours. Add more incense when it runs out.”“Alright. Ms. Ivanka, you should get some rest now.” Evan noticed that she looked very tired and was sweating profusely.Ivanka nodded and left Michael’s room.Less than an hour after she left, Michael regained consciousness and opened his eyes.Evan was thrilled. “Mr. Barkworth, you’re finally awake!”At that time, Evan had taken off his shirt because he could not handle the high heat.Michael frowned at Evan’s muscular chest. “What’s with you? Where is she?”Evan instantly knew that Michael was asking about Ivanka while being annoyed with his presence, so he quickly explained, “Mr. Barkworth, you were shivering, so the temperature in the room has to be high. I have to watch you. As for Ms. Ivanka, she returned to her room after she was done setting up the medicinal bath. She almost fainted from the heat.”“Get out,” Michael said to Eva
Michael could have asked nicely if he needed Ivanka’s help. Since she was not his servant, she decided to ignore him.“It’d be weird for Evan to do this.” Michael pressed his lips together. His expression was solemn.But Ivanka did not care. “Then let him put the oil on you before you leave the room—”“This is medicinal oil.”Michael’s reply left Ivanka utterly speechless.To Ivanka, who was a medical expert, the underlying meaning behind his words was clear.In order to make sure that the patient’s skin absorbed the medical properties of the oil, a professional massage was crucial.That jerk Michael could have asked for her help nicely!Ivanka was unwilling to help, but considering his current condition, she eventually suppressed her anger.“Go lie down on the beach,” Ivanka said while picking up the oil on the table.Michael did as she said.Ivanka was professional. She applied the medicinal oil on him and gave him a massage swiftly.But after she was done, she slapped hi
The look in Michael’s dark eyes was chilling.However, Ivanka’s focus was on Alexander entirely. Despite being shunned the day before, he kept showing up before her again and again.She wondered what his true intention was.Due to her lack of response to Michael’s suggestion, Michael’s expression darkened further. Evan, who sat beside him, was alarmed.“I knew it. Power and wealth are especially tempting.”Michael put down his cutlery. He had lost his appetite completely.His spoon clattered as he tossed it aside.Hearing the sound, Ivanka snapped out of her reverie. She noticed the sharp look in Michael’s grim eyes. It was directed at her.Ivanka tensed up and was no longer in the mood for lunch.She asked Michael unhappily, “Michael, what’s the meaning of this?”Why would he say such a thing to her for no reason?“It means what I said,” Michael said flatly, but his words were unpleasantly critical.Alexander watched this from the sideline with a mocking smile.He was hap
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