The doctor had no choice but to leave the room on Ivanka’s order.But he ran into his old acquaintances, Stella and Njord.The doctor asked discreetly, “Who is Ms. Lane, really?”He always stayed in his office to help people who got injured in the casino or read some medical books. Hence, he hardly knew what happened out there.“Boss’ niece,” Stella answered.“Niece? My god!” The doctor thought.Before he fully processed his astonishment, Njord pulled him aside.Njord asked with a frown, “How’s the man in the room? Is he going to die?”“Of course not. Ms. Lane’s medical expertise amazed me. With her around, the man will surely survive!”Njord was speechless.“So don’t you worry!” the doctor added.Njord’s shock turned to confusion.He was not worried at all!In fact, he felt defeated. If Ivanka remained by Michael’s side, Njord would not have a chance to strike.But the doctor noticed that he was upset. “What’s with you? Since Ms. Lane is our boss’ niece, the man must be
Alexander was adopted, so he was not part of the royal bloodline.Eleanor was not after love. What she really wanted was power.She narrowed her eyes as she sized that woman up.After a long pause, she finally spoke coldly. “If that’s not the case, don’t disgrace the royal family while you’re out there! If you continue to act recklessly, the king won’t let it slide. Don’t expect me to save you when that happens!”She did not say more. Deep down, she was certain that once she ascended the throne, she would have all the power and authority. Her subjects would subject themselves to her. At that point, she would be her own protector. She would not need anyone else.With that, Alexander stayed while Eleanor returned to Aurelia.Before she left, she glanced at Alexander, but he ignored her. He no longer wanted to work with her.At that moment, he could only think of Ivanka.So, he phoned her.When Ivanka saw Alexander’s name on her phone, her gaze instantly turned cold, and a grim f
Ivanka narrowed her eyes and retorted, “If it wasn’t you two, then who the hell is trying to kill me, huh?”Was it George?No way!He was too obsessed and twisted. He would not just kill someone without making sure they suffered first. Besides, no matter how mad he got, he would still respect Vincent and avoid causing too much trouble at the casino.Ivanka had a feeling that the person who fired two shots and then committed suicide was not as simple as it seemed. Alexander was a possible culprit.Alexander pursed his lips and interrupted Ivanka’s train of thought as he said, “You can suspect us all you want, but we deserve a chance to explain. If I really wanted you dead, you’d be six feet under already when Eleanor’s people tried to get rid of you earlier.”Before Ivanka could respond, Alexander continued, “Me and Eleanor are powerless right now. If you don’t believe me, ask Vincenzo. Didn’t he send someone to tail us the whole time?”Ivanka fell silent.If it was not them, an
That could only mean that this Alexander guy was on par with Michael!They must have run into some trouble and delayed their return home.Jonah spoke frankly, “Ivanka, just send me your location. I’m on my way to you right now.”Jonah had always been a man of his word.Ivanka calmly replied, “I have almost everything sorted out here. Once Michael and I finish up the last few things, I’ll head back. You don’t need to come help.”Michael had already taken two bullets for her. How could she manage both of them if Jonah came over and something happened to him too?!“Iv, you can’t—”Before he could finish his sentence, Ivanka cut in. “I’m fine here. I’ll get in touch when I’m back. I’ve got stuff to take care of, so I’m hanging up now.”On the other end of the line, Jonah’s expression turned serious as he fell silent.When Ivanka hung up the phone and was about to put it away, she caught Michael’s sharp gaze.She was surprised and asked, “When did you wake up? How are you feeling?
“Hmm.” Michael nodded. Although he had a high tolerance for medication, his body was still reacting realistically.He was swollen all over, and his voice was weak and hoarse.“Just don’t talk. Get some rest. I’ll be here,” Ivanka said. She decided not to argue with him any longer. After she finished speaking, she leaned back in her chair.At this hour, she was also feeling tired.Michael said nothing. For some reason, after Ivanka spoke, he felt an overwhelming sense of calm inside.He even felt... somehow reassured.Since he could not move, he could not pull Ivanka closer.After hesitating for a while, Michael finally said to Ivanka, “Come and lie next to me.”Ivanka was taken aback. She sat up and stared at him in disbelief.In three years of marriage, they had met only a handful of times. Everyone knew of his contempt for her.They had not even had a proper conversation during those three years. Whenever they did talk, he spoke to her with disdain.She thought hell must h
That stubborn jerk rarely agreed with her on anything. He was so set in his ways!Ivanka initially wanted to scold Michael, but when she saw him lying weakly in bed, she managed to hold back her anger.She pursed her lips and said, “If you were in good health, I would’ve—”“Am I disabled or something?” Michael interrupted sharply before she could finish.The deep frown on his face made it clear that he was upset. He did not agree with Ivanka’s statement.Ivanka was taken aback. She then became extremely furious.Though she managed to suppress her anger, she could not hold back her words. She snapped at him, “I never said you were disabled! Michael, you know what I mean. Stop arguing with me!“You’ve been shot. It takes around three months to heal from serious injuries. Even if you have a high pain tolerance, you’re going to need at least ten days to two weeks of bed rest. Let me ask you: if someone had a gun to your head right now, could you just jump up and disarm them in an in
She looked at his composed face and then said, “Honestly, thinking back on that scene still freaks me out. Didn’t you ever consider it? What if things had gone wrong? No, what if the other guy was just slightly more accurate? Do you think you could still be lying here in front of me, saying all this?”“We’re divorced. What I do and who I see is my business. You don’t have the right to interfere in my life like that. And I want you to know that no matter what happens between us, you’re still a living person. I could never just stand by and let anyone die.”Upon hearing her firm stance, Michael frowned and said casually, almost mockingly, “Is that so?”He smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.Just as Ivanka was about to respond, Michael questioned her, “If it’s really just about one life, then why were you trembling when you spoke after I got shot?”He had noticed back then that her fingers were trembling too.But as she had said, it was natural for people to have emotions.Micha
Besides, he could not get over the anger from the confiscation in the basement and the defeat in the confrontation!Njord tilted his head back while feeling resentment swell inside him.“Vincenzo, Michael is no good. If he’s dead, then Ms. Ivanka won’t have to deal with him anymore. Plus, he’s already divorced from her. Why should he still get to enjoy her kindness and act tough in the casino?”“Only because he’s Ivanka’s ex-husband. Njord, you’re my most trusted man. I don’t want to have to repeat myself. I said you can’t touch Michael, and that means you can’t touch him.”Vincent’s words were harsh.Njord fell silent. He felt a strong sense of resentment, but the pain of his current situation outweighed that resentment. He was caught between his feelings and the reality he faced.He had worked at Kingzillion Casino for many years and viewed it as his home. He saw Vincent as family and found it hard to accept that Vincent prioritized Ivanka’s needs over Michael’s position. Vin
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