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
Ivanka deserved it. This was her own doing!Blake, who was right across from her, looked at her and said, “I just love seeing you like this.”He was smiling, but his smile did not reach his eyes.Tanya was momentarily taken aback. She quickly regained her composure and glared at him in discontent.He narrowed his eyes and said without reservation, “You look so cute when you’re plotting against others.”She shot him a cold glance and finally spoke softly, “I really think you should stay out of it.”He raised an eyebrow and said with a grin, “No, thanks. You know I’ll always have your back, right?”His voice sounded carefree and casual.Tanya gave him a faint glare and chose not to say anything more.Time was up!Just as she had planned, Ivanka’s video was posted all over the internet!Meanwhile, Ivanka’s phone was charging in the room.She had no clue that people were buzzing about her online and throwing all kinds of accusations her way.Sandy had called her multiple times
She was very worried about Ivanka.After years of friendship and understanding Ivanka, she knew that Ivanka would never leave her house without clothes.She would also never ignore any negative news.Ivanka always kept her phone with her and would answer calls unless something was wrong.That was why she needed to confirm with Michael that Ivanka was safe.If Michael did not answer his phone either, she would have no choice but to fly to Mirvania!Ivan understood that this situation might not be so simple. Without wasting any more time talking with Sandy, he quickly sent Michael’s number to her via WhatsApp.He did not hang up. When Sandy saw Michael’s number pop up, she immediately hung up on Ivan.Listening to the busy tone in his ear, Ivan’s expression darkened.That d*mn woman! Was his presence really that insignificant?!Although he thought about how Ivanka had not returned and how she might be developing her relationship with Michael in Mirvania without him interfering,
After untying Tanya, Ivanka proceeded to untie Blake as well.Tanya was confused. “What’s the meaning of this, Ivanka?”Michael had not come to check on them the entire time they were trapped here. He had even kept them locked up without food or water.Yet, not only did Ivanka say nothing to her, but she even untied them, fully aware that the embarrassing video had been leaked and caused a stir.Tanya could not understand why Ivanka would do this.Ivanka responded coldly, “Isn’t it pretty obvious? Or do you enjoy being the one taken advantage of?”Of course, Tanya did not enjoy that.However, the more indifferent Ivanka acted, the more uncomfortable Tanya felt inside.She had prepared for this moment to catch Ivanka off guard.How could she show no reaction at all?Just as Tanya was about to say something, Blake stepped forward and said, “Tanya, let’s just get out of the casino for now.”Ivanka could not be bothered to waste any more time talking to Tanya.“Tanya, if you ev
Tanya still dared to release such footage to slander Ivanka, even though she knew Ivanka had the original video.What a poor choice to make!When Sandy noticed that Ivanka had been quiet, she said in frustration, “Hello? Ivanka? I’m talking to you! Can you hear me?”“Yeah, I heard you. It’s not a big deal.”Given how intense the public outcry was and how harshly they were criticizing her, Tanya would face the same consequences and costs when the tables were turned!Sandy cursed, “Ugh, I know you don’t see it as a problem. I know you’re definitely being framed. But come on, that person is using your face in the video!”Ivanka smiled and reassured Sandy, “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”Sandy stopped dwelling on the issue when she saw how confident Ivanka was.However, she was still concerned about Ivanka still being in Mirvania.She said impatiently, “What the hell is that jerk up to? Evan is already back, so what are you all still doing? You can even call me from his phone now! D
Sandy94: I can’t believe how trashy Ivanka is! Does she think people can’t see her or something? Or is she just super confident in her body?TeresatheQueen: Honestly, I’m going to puke. She’s a public figure, for crying out loud. She was supposed to take care of her image!ILoveBoys: No wonder Michael divorced her. I mean, who’d want to stay with a woman this shameless?...As the discussion went on, the online trolls got even more vicious, with their comments becoming downright filthy.Some even went so far as to photoshop her into a black-and-white obituary photo.These clueless trolls are really something else!Ivanka could not care less about getting into a fight with them. She simply injected a virus, and voila—all the nasty comments were 404’d.The video, though, she did not bother taking that down.Instead, she uploaded the full surveillance footage very soon.In the surveillance footage, Tanya was seen leaving the room next door and putting on Ivanka’s mask, then ente
Instead, she remained standing in front of Jimothy and studied the group of men with a smile.“He works at our company. Since I’ve run into him, I’m obligated to come over and check on him. Pray tell, what has happened between you and why do you feel the need to resolve it with violence?”Jimothy stared at Candice while she stood with her back facing him. The look in his eyes was conflicted.The men exchanged glances with each other and saw a hint of astonishment in one another’s eyes.The man at the front of the group, who was likely their leader, said, “We just get paid to do this, lady. You should stay out of it.”When Candice heard his advice which also sounded like a threat, she did not intend to back down at all. Instead, she asked him, “Oh? How much did you get for this? I’ll pay you double. I just told you that this guy works for us, so I have to intervene.”The leader started laughing, and so did the men behind him. They did not even bother to hide the mockery in their t
Candice ordered some food she liked, and the dishes arrived soon after.Sandy suggested that they all took a picture together.The others did not object.Sandy gave her phone to the waiter.Then the five of them moved their chairs to sit in a row.Michael and Ivan each took the outermost seats.Naturally, Ivanka was seated next to Michael while Sandy, who paid for the dinner, was right beside her.Next to Sandy was Candice, who sat awkwardly in her chair. Ivan was beside Candice.The second the waiter took the picture, Ivanka and Michael exchanged glances inadvertently. Meanwhile, Ivan stared past Candice, and his eyes fell on Sandy.Sandy and Candice were the only people who looked into the camera.But each and every one of them had a genuine smile on their face.Once they had taken a picture, they started eating together.It was a nice, relaxing dinner. They did not talk about work or how annoying Coco had been.They mostly chatted about the fun anecdotes they had he
The call was soon answered, but the person who picked up was not Rosie. It was Mrs. Ruth.“Ms. Lane, you finally called! Mdm. Barkworth will be over the moon when she wakes up!” Mrs. Ruth sounded quite excited as she spoke.Ivanka smiled and asked, “Is Grandma resting now?”“Yeah, she hasn’t had a good rest after learning that you’d be kidnapped. Once you were safe, she finally allowed herself to rest.”Ivanka nodded and told Mrs. Ruth to take good care of Rosie. She later said that she and Micheal would visit Rosie soon.With that, she hung up the phone.Meanwhile, she also reflected upon herself.Rosie had gotten old, yet Ivanka always made her worry. From that moment on, Ivanka would consider the consequences before making any decision. It was not only for the sake of herself, but the important people in her life, who also cared about her.As she contemplated this, Ivanka inevitably thought of the gathering. It would be quite fun.Before they were about to get off work, San
Coco practically ran out crying.Candice glanced at Ivanka worriedly and asked, “Will something bad happen to her?”Ivanka was not concerned at all. “What could possibly happen? She is an adult. Even if something bad happens, she has to bear the consequences of her own action.”Hearing that, Candice no longer fretted over the matter.She was not really worried about Coco. She was just afraid that something would happen to Coco, and Ivanka would be blamed for it.But Ivanka had made a good point. Candice did not want to trouble herself with Coco’s matters. It would only be an unnecessary emotional burden to her.Everyone in the office began discussing the progress of their project.Perhaps it was because Ivanka had made an example of Coco, the other employees became especially energized and diligent during their discussion.They were even more focused than before, since they were all afraid that Ivanka would treat them harshly as well.Hence, they were particularly efficient.
“Why don’t we leave now so that you can deal with this matter, Ms. Ivanka?”The director of the project department, who was perceptive and shrewd, planned to leave right then. Ivanka shook her head and signaled everyone to sit down.They were all uneasy, and they kept giving Coco weird looks.Two people had dared speak to Ivanka like that in the past—Ferris and Mandy.But those two were no longer with the company.At the thought of those people, the project department staff began looking at Coco with pity.However, Coco could not care less. All she wanted was to make a fuss.She wanted to see how shameless Ivanka could be.Unruffled, Ivanka stared at her. She did not get angry and seemed rather affable as she asked, “Tell me what upset you. Have we falsely accused you of something you didn’t do?”Before Coco said anything, Ivanka added cruelly, “Oh, I forgot that you aren’t familiar with the protocol here, so you have no idea what you did wrong, right?”Coco paled. Undoubte
Candice was momentarily stunned by his answer. She was a little offended.“Then why did you come to my office for this conversation?” Jimothy’s grin was mischievous. “To prove your company’s HR is blind, and you just lost a great talent. That’s all.”With that, Jimothy stood up, dusted off his sleeves dramatically, and turned to leave.“Your resume!” Candice called after him.Jimothy waved dismissively without looking back. “Keep it. Enjoy reading it. And don’t let an incompetent HR handle your interviews again.”Candice stood there for a moment and processed the scene before an involuntary chuckle escaped her lips. This one had personality.Regardless, the incident served as a wake-up call for Candice.It became glaringly clear that Coco was not only incompetent but also prone to overestimating her abilities.Before the task was assigned, she had the chance to decline. Candice had given her the opportunity and explicitly asked if she could handle it. Yet, Coco confidentl
The college student finally believed her and walked toward Candice.On the other hand, Coco seemed guilty and was desperate to prevent it. “He has no respect for our company! Are you really going to hire someone like him who won’t follow orders?” Coco’s tone was sharp. Her finger trembled as she pointed at the young man.She scanned the room for backup in hopes that the people who had been flattering her earlier would speak up in her defense.Unfortunately, no one stepped forward.Those who flattered Coco only did so out of respect for Ivanka. Yet Candice had a close relationship with Ivanka and was the company’s vice president.The gap between a vice president versus an intern was as vast as night and day.Anyone with common sense knew where to align themselves.Coco felt a mix of despair and resentment.Candice ignored her entirely. Why Ivanka was so wary of someone as clueless as this was beyond her comprehension.Coco was simply dumb.Without wasting another thought o
However, reality proved she had worried for nothing.Candice had called her over merely to ask if she had the most basic professional knowledge and whether she could handle the afternoon’s interview.Coco let out a deep sigh of relief before patting her chest confidently and assuring Candice she was more than capable.Knowing Coco came from the mountains, Candice was naturally skeptical, so she asked again, “Are you sure?”Coco thought to herself that it was just an interview. All she needed to do was just ask the candidates some questions. They could just choose someone who wrote the resume well.Not wanting to embarrass herself in front of Michael’s cousin, Coco pretended to be confident and accepted the task.Candice was half-doubtful, yet she still gave her instructions and let her go.However, Coco’s firm assurance eventually led to trouble....“Your company must be a joke to hire someone like you for HR. You’re offended? You’re not even a real professional. What? You ca
Word quickly spread within the HR department. After learning about Coco’s connection to Ivanka, some colleagues were vying to curry favor with her.Although some observant individuals noticed that the relationship between Coco and Ivanka was not as harmonious as it seemed, it did not deter the opportunists. Relentless flattery and attention poured in.One moment, a male coworker would offer to grab her food while placing his own lunch order. Next, a female coworker would ask if she wanted to order some coffee too.At first, Coco was caught off guard and politely declined. However, as she realized their intentions were purely self-serving, she began to accept their gestures without hesitation.By midday, Coco had become the department’s little queen. Ironically, as an intern, she should have been the one fetching coffee, running errands and collecting mail. Instead, she had colleagues practically lining up to do those tasks for her.Coco quickly assembled her own little e