Vincent delivered a swift kick to the man who had just struggled to his feet after Stella had knocked him down and sent him flying again.After throwing out his final warning, Vincent glanced at Ivanka and Stella. They quickly understood and followed him.Caeser knew that, at that point, no amount of words would sway Vincent.However, he was not going to give up on the idea of convincing Ivanka to treat him.“Go tell my brother, if he wants Blake to live, he’d better stop stirring up trouble right now,” Caeser said coldly to the man. With that, he and his men left.On the way back, Vincent reassured Ivanka. “If you don’t want to treat him, stick to your decision. You’re not wrong for standing your ground. Don’t feel pressured to compromise just because of me. Even though we’ve been friends for years, once things involve self-interest, they’re never as perfect as they seem.”By the end of his words, Vincent’s tone had grown cold.By saying that their friendship was not perfect, h
Michael immediately provided the address.Vincent glanced at Stella. She quickly understood his orders.At that moment, Michael spoke up. “I’ll decide when I leave.”Vincent coldly replied, “Then leave Kingzillion Casino now.”Out of respect for Ivanka, Vincent was saving Michael some dignity. If it had been anyone else, they would have already been thrown out with broken hands and feet.With that, Michael was no longer restrained by Vincent’s men.However, Michael walked straight toward Ivanka.As Michael approached in silence, Ivanka frowned, but before she could say anything, Vincent stepped in front of him and blocked his path.Vincent’s expression was ice-cold. “You’re divorced. There’s no need for you to keep hovering around her.”Michael ignored Vincent’s words. His gaze remained on Ivanka. He was waiting for her response.Ivanka did not want him to stay either. “Even though you’ve learned some things through Njord, you don’t actually know how to handle the situation.
Vincent had made his meaning clear. There was no way Michael would shamelessly stay any longer.However, before leaving, Michael called out to Ivanka. “Ivanka, come with me. There are things I need to sort out with you. Also, you’re still treating me. You can’t just leave it unfinished.”Hearing this, Ivanka remained silent, but the steps she took spoke volumes.Vincent knew he could not stop her, so he signaled for his men to follow and keep an eye on her. With Ivanka’s current situation, people were watching her.As soon as Ivanka approached Michael, she immediately placed her hand on his wrist to check his pulse.The lingering effects of the toxins were still present, but compared to when he was first poisoned, his pulse was noticeably stronger.Ivanka frowned. She was clearly unimpressed. “If you go back home with Evan now, at least if something goes wrong, he can handle the situation with the prescription I gave him.”Although others could take care of it, they were in a fo
Rosie snorted coldly to make her attitude clear.Supposedly, Rosie’s attendance should not matter to Ivanka. She had already divorced Michael, and they were no longer tied to each other.Ivanka only helped the Barkworth family for old times’ sake.But Ivanka still said to Rosie gently, “Grandma, I really have something to attend to, so I can’t return yet. I’ll visit you once I get home, alright? I’ll call whenever I’m free. Sometimes, neither of us can answer your calls. That’s not because we’re ignoring you on purpose. We’re simply preoccupied with other matters.”Although Ivanka was explaining herself to Rosie, they both knew that Rosie rarely called them. Even if she did, they have indeed answered her calls.Hearing what Ivanka said, Rosie was a little embarrassed.But if she could set Ivanka and Michael up by embarrassing herself, so be it!“Well, I shall leave you to it then. I’ll wait for you both to come home.” With that, Rosie said nothing else and soon hung up.Michael
Michael groaned quietly.Ivanka was shocked.“Damn it!” She thought.She could not afford to waste time mulling over what just happened, so she grabbed Michael and said with a conflicted look on her face, “Hang in there!”Kingzillion Casino would never let the shooter go scot-free. The people who came in Ivanka’s aid immediately dispersed to search every corner of the casino.The commotion drew Vincent out of the room too.The second he opened the door, he saw Michael with his arm around Ivanka and pinned her to the floor. Just as Vincent was about to intervene, Ivanka rolled over and got up swiftly.She was not as strong as Michael, so she struggled when she tried to help him to his feet.But she worried that the hidden shooter would fire again while they were distracted. Therefore, she had no choice but to drag Michael toward a room. That was when she spotted Vincent.At that moment, Ivanka looked as if she was a drowning woman who saw a lifebuoy. “Uncle, quick, help me ou
Evan had already taken the Ganoderma nebula back to his country, so Michael was certainly not the target of this attack.If it were him, the bullet would have gone for his head. The shooter would not have fired twice.It showed that the shooter was frustrated and tried to get rid of Michael altogether. His actual target was Ivanka, who was protected by Michael!But Vincent would not put up with such things. If someone dared cause trouble on his turf and attack the ones under his care, then they would pay the price and bear the brunt of his wrath no matter who they were!Soon enough, Stella brought Njord over.Njord knelt before Vincent and admitted his fault. “Boss, I’m sorry for my negligence. I let Michael Barkworth disguise as me and infiltrate the casino…”His voice roused Vincent’s suspicion. “What happened to you?” Vincent had always been a protective employer. Njord was his subordinate. If Michael attacked him and inflicted serious injuries when Njord did not even deserv
Besides, Ivanka and Michael were still in love with each other. She would never let him go while injured.On top of that, Michael was wounded because of her.Njord respected their decision, but deep down, he was still displeased with Michael.Njord had been working for Vincent for many years, so Vincent knew what he was thinking.Vincent pulled him to his feet and said somberly, “Consider this a lesson learned. Don’t repeat the same mistake. As for your designs for Michael, hold yourself back or he’ll end you!”Vincent did not want Njord to make another silly mistake for nothing.Naturally, Njord listened to Vincent’s reminder.But he still resented Michael for what he had done. He could not possibly put up with him!Even if Njord was no match for Michael in every way, he still wanted to give it a try! What if he succeeded?Vincent did not say anything else and merely patted Njord on the shoulder. “Get some rest and recover soon.”Meanwhile, Michael was getting treated.Iv
But Michael’s last two sentences were a reminder to Ivanka.They were running out of time, so she had to perform the surgery immediately!Ivanka, too, grasped his hand tightly to express her determination. “Rest assured, Michael. I won’t let you die either!”With the casino doctor’s assistance, Ivanka put Michael under general anesthesia.Despite the subpar conditions, she handled everything meticulously and professionally.From bullet removal to wound suturing, the surgery took more than one hour. Ivanka performed it perfectly.Even the doctor said in uncontrollable awe, “Your… skills can rival the most respected medical professors. May I know which hospital you work at?”His eyes were filled with respect toward Ivanka.He believed that his skill was considered above average among his peers. But when he watched Ivanka perform the surgery, he realized that his skills paled in comparison!If it were him, he would not dare carry out such a major procedure in this environment!“
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