Ivanka quickly caught on. “Are you saying that it’s just Alexander playing a role?”A second later, she realized it was not so far-fetched. Alexander did have a tendency to enjoy disguises and deception.Her brow furrowed at the thought. “Aren’t we already dealing with Alexander now? Give it time. He’ll eventually slip up.”By then, Alexander’s true intentions would finally be revealed.“You don’t really have to…”Michael began, but Ivanka cut him off coldly. “Alexander is targeting me. Why would you think it’s unnecessary?”When Michael did not respond, Ivanka recalled something Evan once told her. She could not help but smile. “Michael, do you really think I still see you as someone I can rely on?”Michael’s lips pressed into a thin, tight line. His expression remained cold.That was not what he had meant.As his expression turned even colder, Ivanka pursed her lips and said, “Thank you for earlier.”Michael was caught off guard by her gratitude, but before he could think o
Ivanka kept her stern expression and warned him. “If you keep acting like this, I can tell you very clearly, it’s not going to happen between us.”“All right, I was just joking. Don’t take it so seriously.” Alexander’s tone remained playful but with a hint of mock hurt.Ivanka rolled her eyes at him and said no more.What she did not realize was that Alexander’s exaggerated display was intentional. It was meant for the eyes of Michael, who was standing behind her.Behind them, Michael stood watching their retreating figures. His dark eyes were cold and expressionless.For a moment, he had considered going after them.However, Ivanka’s words echoed clearly in his mind. She did not want him to interfere, which was why she had been so quick to push Alexander out.In their recent interactions, he had come to understand one thing about her. When Ivanka made up her mind, she was not one to easily change it.At the same time, Blake received a report from one of his men about Tanya. “M
Tanya pursed her lips together and looked hurt. “I’m in this state. What reason would I have to lie to you? Michael, our families have close business ties, and you know my status and position. Do you really think I’d do something as foolish as sabotaging myself?”She questioned him carefully. Michael, on the other hand, had been observing her expression.Tanya tried her best to stay calm. Her clear eyes met Michael’s unwavering gaze.Seeing that Michael remained silent, Tanya pressed on. “Didn’t Ivanka say she saw a red mole on the woman’s chest? I can prove my innocence.”Her expression was dead serious. There was no hint of jest in her tone.Even Evan could not hide his surprise.Tanya was the heiress of the Cullen family, an unmarried woman with a spotless reputation, yet she dared to offer such a bold defense in front of a man. It was a show of bravery and decisiveness.Evan had not been there when the incident occurred. With that woman wearing Ivanka’s face, combined with T
She did not like having conversations with people in that manner of speech.However, Alexander and her were not close, so she did not feel the need to force the issue.Ivanka said coolly, “You invited me. I accepted and came. Now, will you finally tell me who’s the woman behind all this trying to take me down?”As she said that, Ivanka tossed the skewer in her hand aside and looked up. Her eyes were cold and piercing as she stared at Alexander.However, Alexander just chuckled. “Iv, you’ve turned me down three times. It’s only fair that I make you wait a little, right? Here’s the deal, agree to go on three dates with me, and I’ll tell you who’s behind it. What do you say?”As he said that, he slid a glass of juice across the table to her.Ivanka did not budge. She snorted and said, “You really know how to hold a grudge, don’t you?”Alexander did not get offended. In fact, he agreed with her. “Of course I do. I’m still a man, after all. Being rejected by you three times in public
Earlier on in the room, Ivanka had been clear about what she was really up to. She refused to believe that Michael did not catch the sign or understand what she meant!He wanted to follow her out of concern, and she let him.But what was he doing at the moment?Michael turned his dark eyes on Ivanka. His gaze was as sharp as icicles, and the rage in it grew.“What am I doing?” He thought.Did she seriously wonder what he wanted to do?If he had not exercised immense patience, he would not possibly allow Ivanka to meet with Alexander.Ivanka gazed at him without a word. She did not want to argue with Michael here, especially not in front of Alexander.But Michael understood the meaning behind her silence.At that moment, Michael felt the veins in his forehead about to pop.“Ivanka,” he said nothing other than her name.He pressed his lips into a thin line. There was anger in his eyes, and he pulled a long face.The cold glint in Alexander’s eyes gradually sharpened, and his
A moment ago, when Michael clashed with Alexander, they had attracted a bunch of onlookers.Worse still, Alexander had displayed a pitiful expression and spoke in an aggrieved manner.It made Ivanka look as if she went around seducing men and breaking hearts. She had had enough of Alexander’s nonsense and took out her pepper spray. When she was about to use it on him, he grabbed her hand.Alexander gave her a meaningful smile. “Iv, you can’t just comfort me whenever I get angry. This is embarrassing. After all, you’re a lady, I am a gentleman, not the other way round.”Ivanka refused to let him twist her intention like that, so she tossed the pepper spray into her free hand and charged at him again. As Alexander reached over, she leaned back to avoid him. But he stepped forward purposefully and leaned over her.At that critical moment, a pair of strong hands held her by the waist and propped her up.A faint whiff of cigarette and the familiar scent of medicine enveloped her.A
A strange emotion flickered in Ivanka’s eyes. She would be lying if she said that she was not moved.Alexander could tell what the two of them were up to. His expression darkened further.He looked at Michael with a faint smile. “Do you think you have any say in this matter?”With that, he suddenly raised a gun in his hand, put a finger on the trigger, and aimed at Michael’s forehead. Michael stared at him with arrogance and indifference. He did not seem to mind.Alexander immediately pulled a long face. He thought. “What’s with the look of disdain in his eyes? Does he think I won’t dare to fire the gun?”But just as he was about to pull the trigger, a rough voice tore through the air.“Back the hell down if you want to live!”Everyone looked at the source of the voice.They saw Lark charging toward them with bombs strapped to his waist.There was a determined look in his eyes, and he wore a fiendish grimace on his face.He was followed by all four of his comrades.Lark ch
“Are you alright, Ms. Lane?” This was the first thing Lark said as he walked up to Ivanka.Ivanka shook her head. “I’m fine, all thanks to you.”Lark grinned like a silly schoolboy. “Just doing my part.”Michael looked at the men who saved him and Ivanka expressionlessly. “You have been a great help this time. I’ll offer you additional pay as a token of gratitude.”Hearing this, all five men were secretly thrilled.But what they wanted the most was a permanent antidote for Cruciatus.Under his comrades’ meaningful gazes, Lark stated their intention. “Ms. Lane, what we want at the moment isn’t money.”Ivanka owed them everything for saving her life.She was not the kind of person who would shun those who helped her.But before she said anything, Michael said, “Since I’ve promised to reward you, I won’t go back on my word. Rest assured. Not only will she cure you, but I’ll also help you settle down somewhere safe once you receive the money.”Ivanka was rather surprised that Mic
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