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
However, Ivanka no longer wanted to argue with Michael about this.“This is the medicine and tea I’ve prepared for you. You should take the medicine and drink the tea while it’s still hot.”As she spoke, Ivanka handed him the medicine and tea that she had just set aside.Michael slowly raised his left hand, which was receiving an IV drip. Then, he pretended to cough repeatedly.“Feed me.”Even if he had not said it, Ivanka was planning to do it anyway.She then informed him of her intention to let Blake go.“I’m going to let Blake and Tanya go soon. Right now, you don’t have time to deal with them. When the Cullen family comes asking for them, you’ll have to accommodate them.”Ivanka was right. But ever since Michael had Evan hold those two, he hadn’t considered letting them go.Although Michael was not worried and could ignore the consequences of keeping them locked up, Ivanka could not afford to be so reckless. In the end, he acknowledged her point and agreed with her.Ivan
Michael pursed his lips and took the initiative to apologize to Ivanka.Ever since they got back from Mirvania, Michael’s attitude toward her had toned down considerably compared to the past. Michael had indeed changed a lot.However, even though he changed, they could not live a honeymoon life like other couples and spouses.Ivanka corrected him. “Micheal, we can’t put it that way. No one expected this change. We came here on Grandma’s behalf with all our blessings. But we did not expect this wedding to go south. I’ll admit that my emotions were somewhat affected when I saw something like this.” “But, what’s the main issue? I think that I’m tired. I wish you wouldn’t pursue me so tightly. Let’s part while we are on good terms. I know that you know what that phrase means.”As she said that, Ivanka saw the flight attendant walk over.She waved toward the flight attendant, who then gently bent down and smiled at her nicely. “Hello ma’am, what can I do for you?” “Hello, can you c
Naturally, Ivanka and Michael could not get involved to clear the mess after that. It was almost time for them to return as well.“You’re leaving before I can thank you.” Candice took Ivanka’s hand. She was grateful from the bottom of her heart.“I originally came to attend the wedding, but I didn’t expect to witness it take such a turn. I’ll have to go back and explain to Grandma about it.” Ivanka said with a smile.Candice hurriedly nodded and smiled. She looked at Ivanka and said, “Ivanka, send my regards to Grandma. After things are settled over here, I will definitely go visit her.”Ivanka smiled. “Then it’s a deal.”“It’s a deal.”… On the airplane, Ivanka’s mood was down the entire time.Michael spoke to her several times and did not get any response. He frowned slightly when he saw that Ivanka was about to sleep. He directly pulled her hand.Ivanka immediately tried to pull her hand back but she was not as strong as him. She opened her eyes and looked at him unhappily
Just as he was about to say something else, a clear voice suddenly spoke.“I told them to play it. Is there a problem?”The crowd looked for the voice and saw Candice in a white dress. She looked serene and cool. It was a different kind of beauty.But this was not a wedding. It was obviously a funeral.Everyone looked at the heroine who was supposed to appear today. Shock crossed their eyes. It looked like the bride found out about their despicable deed. Immediately after, the bride said in a mocking voice once again, “Leonardo, how does it feel to lose your reputation? You experienced it before me. Do you like the wedding gift I gave you?”Candice looked at him. Her brow was calm and void of emotion.Leonardo was already extremely cranky. In a way, he was at the end of his rope. He looked at her incredulously. “What do you mean by that?!” Candice sneered. “I didn’t mean anything by that. Just letting everyone present witness and see clearly for themselves what mangy dogs d
At that moment, there was a crazy video rolling on the big screen. The video was unsightly. The man and woman on the bed were “wrestling” frantically with the woman’s coquettish voice calling out at the same time. Also, the facilities here were top notch and equipped with 3D surround sound. The guests had no idea what to do when they heard.Some of the sharp-eyed guests spotted the man and woman in the video in a single glance. “My goodness! Aren’t these two the groom, Leonardo, and the bride’s best friend Jennifer?!”The moment these words came out, it instantly set off an uproar!Jennifer was instantly dumbfounded when she saw the video! But the next moment she screamed in panic. “Turn it off! Turn it off! It’s not me at all!” It was just that, not only were her shouts futile, but she felt the contemptuous disdainful glances thrown at her from all sides!She could even feel like some of the men were undressing her with their eyes! She was screaming! “Turn it off! Turn
When she put on makeup, her features looked even more exquisite. She looked sharper. Michael’s gaze paused for a moment. Why had he not realized it in the past? Ivanka glanced at him and spoke directly. “I’m good to go. Let’s go there now?” “Yes.” Michael quickly collected his thoughts and rushed to the wedding venue with her. There were a lot of guests. Those who came were all the city’s upper-class people and everyone was open and relaxed. They were able to navigate their way in a situation like this and take the opportunity to meet more work partners.The groom also weaved in and out of the crowd. He was beaming and full of life.Jennifer was with him. The two of them were welcoming the guests together. Those who did not know any better might even think that the two of them were the new couple. Everyone arrived one after another. It was just that… Only the bride and Jarek were missing.The crowd could not help but be a little confused. Right among the murmuring
Of course, he was referring to Jarek, who was screaming on the ground. Ivanka and Michael’s eyes met across the distance. They exchanged a look with each other. In the end, they chose to stay out of it. What should have been done was done. No matter the outcome, it was Candice’s own choice. Michael took a step back and came to Ivanka’s side. “Thanks.” Candice stared at Ivanka and sincerely thanked her once again. She was not stupid, so naturally, she could see that her cousin greatly respected his wife’s opinion. On the other hand, Ivanka was highly self-sufficient.Not long after, the security guards came and took Jarek away. After Candice said goodbye to the two, she left in the opposite direction.Ivanka and Michael went back to their rooms together.On the way back, Ivanka’s brows remained furrowed, and Michael turned to look at her. “Still worried about her?”Ivanka’s eyes flashed, then she looked at Michael and said softly, “Do you think that she will be soft-h
Leonardo had always been a perfect boyfriend. He was so perfect and seemed to have been specially made for Candice. Candice used to find it suspicious. But she dared not probe further into her own suspicions. Since things had turned out like so, she had no choice but to confront it. Candice’s heart was filled with a slew of anxiousness and complications. Despite this, she held back her emotions. Without further hesitation, she lifted the blanket and got down from the bed. She walked to the room next door. Ivanka gave Michael a look so that he would bring Jarek along. Michael was amused. He believed Ivanka must have treated him as her bodyguard. She was the first woman who had dared to give him an order. Despite this, Michael did as he was told. After all, Ivanka was not supposed to get involved in all this in the first place. It was all about the Barkworth family’s business. When Michael confronted Jarek, Michael’s temper instantly turned foul. He glared at Jarek.
Bam! The room door was kicked open all of a sudden. Michael was the one who kicked the door open. The man in the formal suit had just taken off half of his pants when Michael entered the room. Michael exuded an air of standoffishness. The man looked dumbfounded. He did not know if he should put back on his pants or remove them. Ivanka was behind Michael. He did not let her enter the room. “On the count of three, put your pants on, or else—” Michael did not finish his sentence, but the man in the formal suit was so scared that his entire body trembled. The man knew that if he did not act as he was told, he would lose his d*ck. So the man quickly put his pants on comically. While Michael was entering the room, Ivanka followed him. She ignored the man in the formal suit and went to the bed where Candice was laying. They had made quite a commotion when they entered the room. Despite this, Candice laid motionlessly on the bed. Apparently, she had been drugged. It l
Jennifer took the man to Candice in the middle of the night. Things did not seem good. Ivanka knew something bad was going to befall Candice. She was about to follow them when someone behind her abruptly stopped her. Ivanka’s eyes flew wide open. Her scream got stuck in her throat. The man’s large hand had covered her mouth. At the same time, a familiar smell entered her nostrils, and she gave up trying to let go of herself from the man’s grasp. “Why are you giving up so easily?” As expected, Ivanka heard a familiar voice. She turned around and saw Michael’s playful smile. “I know it’s you, so there’s no need to keep trying to free myself,” answered Ivanka truthfully. “How did you know it’s me?” Her answer piqued his interest. Ivanka was about to explain when a thought struck her mind. After that, she kept quiet. “It’s a secret.” Before Michael could continue the topic, Ivanka decided to skip and end it by asking, “You saw everything. What do you think about it?”