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
“Sure, I’ll show you my sincerity. That’s a piece of cake. But I also want to know what you think of me. Ms. Ivanka, believe me when I say that I’m worthy of your affection.”Alexander did not stop selling himself to her.But his attitude made Ivanka even more convinced that he was dangerous.“I’m not interested in a man who woos me like this. Besides, why would I trust you when you claim to be worthy?”Ivanka snorted and got up from her seat.Seeing that she was about to leave, Alexander called after her. “Ms. Ivanka, you turned down my invitation yesterday. Are you going to leave me here alone today?”When Alexander got up and reached out to grab her, a cold look flashed in her eyes, and it conveyed her feelings toward him clearly.Out of respect, Alexander withdrew his hand. His lips curled into a profoundly charming smile.Seeing him like that, Ivanka said coldly, “Aren’t you hungry? Shouldn’t you be eating now?”“It’s boring to eat alone,” Alexander said.He knew that sh
Michael shot to his feet. He wondered who was at the door. “I’ll get it.”However, his expression was grim and cold, as if shrouded in a dark cloud.Ivanka was shocked when she noticed Michael’s expression darken even further the moment he opened the door.Could it really be Alexander at the door?Just then, the person at the door began speaking in Mirvanian. “Is Ms. Ivanka here? A gentleman sent her 999 roses.”The next second, Michael angrily shouted, “Get lost!”He then slammed the door shut.Ivanka said nothing, but she seemed equally dissatisfied. Despite Alexander’s status and despite being rejected three times, he remained persistent.He even sent a text message.Alexander: Babe, can you get rid of that jerk who yelled at you? You know people say not to go back to what didn’t work. Just give me a shot. Do you want to go to the BBQ joint together tonight?Ivanka saw no reason not to consider it. If she agreed to meet him just once, Alexander might reveal his true colors
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