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