She had also thought of something. Since Michael had gotten hurt because of her, she had a plausible reason to examine the wound.Ivanka pursed her lips and said, “It’s nothing, really. I just think you’re acting tough. Take off your shirt and let me examine the wound.”Unexpectedly, Michael quickly countered. “Will you come with me if I let you examine it?”Ivanka was speechless. This man sure knew how to bargain!“Where are you going, and why are you so determined to take me with you?” Ivanka asked curiously yet impatiently.Michael replied nonchalantly, “You’ll find out when you get there.”“...Alright, but be warned: if it’s too far away, I’m not going. And if your wound is too severe, I’m not going either.”Ivanka was frustrated by his stubborn attitude, but she could not bring herself to be heartless. So, she told him that upfront.“It’s not that far, and I feel fine. If you insist on looking at it, I guess I can let you look at it.”Ivanka was offended. What did he mean
Something flashed in Michael’s gaze. It was cold and disdainful.“We’ll see if he has the skills to do it, or simply the audacity,” Michael said icily before wrapping an arm around Ivanka’s waist and walking as usual.Still, that act made Ivanka’s heart skip a beat.That came out of nowhere!On instinct, she pushed him away. “What are you doing, Michael? We’re just being followed.”Although she had no idea who was following them, Ivanka was not scared.Obviously, neither was Michael.He said in that same cold tone, “You’re doing this for my family. I can’t let anything happen to you again, can I?”Ivanka did not reply. She did not know what to say.A few moments later, Michael got her into a car but tried to get in the driver’s seat afterwards.When Ivanka noticed that, she hastily stopped him. “Just tell me the address. I’ll drive.”“No need,” Michael refused.The next thing she knew, he was already in the driver’s seat with his seat belt buckled.Ivanka knew how stubborn
Michael frowned and asked sternly, “Who sent you?”Based on the size of the person who followed them, Ivanka could confirm that it was a man.Since Michael was already doing the questioning, she chose to watch from the sidelines.The man being stepped on whined. “No one sent me. I’m doing this on my own. I just wanted to get some close-up photos of you two so that I can get famous. No one made me do this…”Neither Michael nor Ivanka believed him.If no one sent him, then how did he manage to follow them all this way so methodically?When Ivanka noticed Michael trying to hit the guy, she hastily gestured for him to stop.So, Michael listened to her.The next thing he knew, Ivanka took out a syringe and chuckled sinisterly. “You’re a reporter,” she said. “You’re aware that recently, a doctor murdered his wife with a single syringe, right?”The man felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing that.Yes, he was a reporter. That incident was the talk of the town back then. Why wou
In the end, they got to the Holly Resort’s assembly point, where the resort was renting out golf carts for the flower field.The place was quite empty, so an employee walked up to them immediately. “Hello, Mr. Barkworth. Which sightseeing cart would you like to take?”In response to the employee’s enthusiasm, Michael simply said disinterestedly, “I’ll pick my own.”The employee was quickly pushed aside.After a short while, Michael picked the cart closest to them.Ivanka watched him take the keys and get inside. After some hesitation, she got in as well.She wanted to see what Michael had planned.So, she leaned into the backseat of the cart without any worries.The journey took about 20 minutes, and the scenery along the way was gorgeous. The hand-planted and trimmed flowers were very diverse in shape and variety.Thankfully, the path itself was also smooth without any bumps.Still, Ivanka was a little surprised. “You know how to drive a cart like this? That doesn’t make se
So, without waiting for Michael to say something, she continued.Her voice even had some coldness to it when she said, “Michael, I only followed you because I thought you had unfinished business. But now… please tell me what you’re doing in the future. Don’t do meaningless things under the guise of doing important stuff!”With that, Ivanka turned to leave.Before she could take a step forward, though, Michael grabbed her swiftly.With the thousands of acres of flowers behind him, he seemed unusually serious.Looking at her, he said, “I brought you here. This isn’t meaningless. Didn’t you want to visit this place more than anything, Ivanka?”She had always expressed a desire to see these places when she was talking to Sandy on the phone, when she was drawing, and when she was on Twitter.So, from that moment on, he had planned to admit his feelings at the place she loved.Since this place was a popular place for couples, he had pulled a lot of strings and spent a fortune on gett
Seeing Michael like this made Ivanka feel a weight on her chest too.She would rather Michael treat her coldly like the way he used to.Still, weight aside, there were some things she needed to make clear.She chuckled, “A chance to make it up to me? With what? Money? Power? Or something else? There’s no way you’re telling me that as long as I’m happy and I give you a chance, you’d do anything for me?”Ivanka’s words were blunt.She stared intently at Michael.Michael did not answer. His lips pressed into a thin line as his expression turned cold. His eyes no longer contained the sadness and tenderness it previously had.Ivanka smiled seeing this side of Michael.She knew he felt no love for her. Everything he did, he only did it because of their recent interactions, as well as Grandma’s wish for them to get back together.Just as she was about to speak, though, Michael spoke first, “You may ask for anything that is within my capabilities.”That, too, was a promise.Alas, ho
He had always been the one to reject Ivanka, but this time it was the other way round, and it irritated him a lot.That being said, at that point, it did not seem safe to let Ivanka go back on her own.So, Michael suppressed his irritation and strode to catch up to her.Since Ivanka was ahead of him, she got into the driver’s seat.She thought it was only fair that if Michael drove them here, she would drive them back.She drove straight to the hotel. Michael’s gaze was constant through the rearview mirror.Because of this, he could see Ivanka’s expression clearly.He was reminded of what she said about not having any expectations when it came to love or marriage anymore.He also remembered the way she had looked cold, yet relieved when she said that.Michael struggled to control his emotions at the thought of that.At the same time, something important occurred to him, so he asked, “You said you no longer had any expectations when it came to love and marriage. You’re not thi
A girlfriend?Be it Rosie’s close relatives or distant ones, none of it had anything to do with her anymore.Ivanka did not want to go because she did not want to play pretend with Michael.Besides, she had thought it through. If she really wanted what was best for Rosie, she had to be upfront and make her stance clear once and for all. Otherwise, continuing to play these roles would only lead to more deception. How long could they keep lying to Rosie? Until she passed away?That would not work. Besides, Ivanka had her own life to live.Her whole life should not revolve around Rosie or the Barkworth family.So, she made her stance very clear.“Michael, I find your explanations strange. The reason I said those things to you is because I don’t want to go, and I don’t want to play pretend with you. After we go back, I’ll make sure your wounds heal and treat Grandma, but after that I’m going back to my own life.”She had her own life to live. Plus, she still had to investigate the
Ivanka understood everything just by looking at Stella’s expression.The drinks and pastries had to be the problem. The weakness and fatigue people were experiencing must have come from consuming them. She tested them with a test strip right away.As expected, they had been poisoned.She had not eaten anything, so she was fine. But she was unsure about Vincenzo, so she checked on him immediately. Thankfully, he was unharmed.Stella let out a deep breath.Before she could say anything, Vincenzo scolded her. “You ran back here and left Njord alone? Hurry up and get back there!”“Yes, Boss!”Stella responded quickly and ran off.Ivanka was about to speak when Michael and Evan rushed in.Michael looked anxious and was breathing heavily.Just like Stella, he was panicking.“Come here. Let me check.” Ivanka nodded at him. She knew how stubborn he was.Michael pursed his lips together and hesitated.But Ivanka had already stepped forward and checked on him. His pulse was weakenin
Vincenzo immediately noticed Michael putting some distance between them.It was not out of fear but respect for Vincenzo’s status. After all, he was Ivanka’s only family.Ivanka walked straight to Vincenzo without sparing Michael a glance.Michael could only stand there and watch her leave.Back at their spot, Vincenzo remained silent. Ivanka, however, felt uneasy.She had only gone to the restroom and had not expected to run into Michael.After some thought, she decided to explain.“Uncle, I didn’t go looking for him.”“You don’t need to explain. Even if you did, that’s your choice. I’ve said what I needed to. The decision is yours.”His tone was calm, but to Ivanka, it sounded like he was upset.She wanted to say more, but Vincenzo spoke first. “Don’t blame yourself. I’m not angry. Once the banquet is over, take a few days to rest. Then we’ll head out.”“Alright.”Since he had already said that, there was nothing more to say.Caeser had hosted the banquet to trigger inte
Ivanka saw the grin on Michael’s face and immediately let go of his arm. Her expression darkened with displeasure.Michael looked like he was enjoying her frustration.“I’m not,” he denied at once, quickly adding, “I’m happy because you pulled me away. It shows you care.”Ivanka was speechless.She looked at his smiling face and shook her head. “I just didn’t want you getting into a fight with Mr. George right now. If something happened to you while I was there, I couldn’t just leave. And if I didn’t, that would make me responsible for you.”Michael frowned. “Do you really think I’m that useless?”He had fought Mr. George before and never even saw him as a threat. There was no way someone like that could take him down.“That’s not the point. Mr. George isn’t alone, but you are. This isn’t your territory, Michael. And don’t forget, the drug in your system hasn’t fully cleared, and your gunshot wound—”He cut her off before she could finish.“That injury was a long time ago. I’m
Ivanka had never revealed her identity as Violet Cress. How did Mr. George figure it out just from her treating Caeser?“Mr. Ali, I only gave Mr. Hicks a few herbal prescriptions. It was nothing special.”“Caeser has plenty of skilled doctors, yet none of them could fix his condition. You did so effortlessly. That says a lot. Anyone who can earn his trust must be exceptionally capable. Ms. Ivanka, the Ganoderma Nebula is not something just anyone can use properly, nor does everyone have your level of confidence.”At first, Mr. George had not suspected anything. But after learning about the legendary medical expert, Violet Cress, he started making connections. She was well known by reputation, yet no one had ever seen her face. He had looked into her background and found that she was probably not elderly.There was also the Ganoderma Nebula.So, he made an educated guess.Looking at Ivanka’s calm reaction, he was even more convinced. When he first mentioned it, there had been a fl
A teasing voice broke the moment, interrupting Ivanka and Michael.They turned to look.Standing before them was none other than Mr. George. It had been a while since they last saw him.Michael narrowed his eyes. He had not expected him to show up at Caeser’s banquet.“What? Didn’t learn your lesson last time?” His tone was cold and sharp.As he spoke, he stepped forward. He simultaneously shielded Ivanka behind him.They knew they were in Mirvania, and Vincenzo was nearby. No matter what Mr. George was planning, he would not dare make a move under Vincenzo’s watch.Still, Michael’s reaction was instinctive.“No hard feelings, right? Isn’t this how friendships start?” Mr. George replied indifferently. He stepped to the side and looked at Ivanka.“Friends?” Ivanka let out a sharp laugh. “Be honest, Mr. George. Do you really think we could ever be friends?”She had taken the Ganoderma Nebula. He had tried to steal it by sending his men. She had turned five of them against him a
Ivanka tried to step aside, but Michael blocked her path.The acrid smell of smoke hit her.She instinctively covered her nose and mouth.Michael saw her reaction and put out his cigarette.“If I talk through a third party and they can’t get my point across to my subordinates, wouldn’t it be better to handle it myself?”Ivanka frowned. “Is this really the time to talk about this?”She thought about pushing him away, but she decided against it.“I know it’s not. I also know you did all that to make me give up. But I won’t. It will just hurt.”His voice was hoarse and tinged with sorrow.He looked heartbroken.If this had been before, she might have felt bad for him. But at that moment, she felt nothing. She said calmly, “That’s your problem, not mine. If you want to keep getting knocked out and run around like this, be my guest.”She stepped forward and pulled out her phone.Michael knew exactly what she meant. If he kept blocking her way, she would call Njord, Stella, and t
“Alright, go back to the casino and wait for my order.”The fight between Tanya and Blake had revealed how fragile their relationship was. If Tanya thought the stranger she met at the party was reliable, she would try to leave Blake.She would have thought that she had gotten her freedom. But in fact, it was just another circle of hell awaiting her.By then, Tanya would suffer a worse fate than death.That was what Ivanka wanted to see.After all, Tanya had disguised herself as Ivanka and put a stain on her reputation for a time. Moreover, Tanya was still planning to come after her and Michael.Ivanka would not intervene in the feud between Tanya and Michael, but since she had run into Tanya at the party, she would like to settle the score between her and Tanya.“That’s your plan?”As Ivanka hung up, Vincent could not help frowning.He knew what she was up to when she had asked Njord to assign the job to a man.But the progress was too slow!Ivanka nodded with a smile. “Yeah
Tanya was not a fool.Seeing Tanya’s reaction, the man smiled calmly and said, “Seriously? He’s just your boyfriend. He can’t possibly stop you from making friends, right?”Tanya ignored him and kept walking.She reached a junction and took out her phone to book a ride. But the Hicks family’s mansion was on the hillside. Moreover, Caeser had contacted the Ministry of Transport to impose traffic control in the area. Apart from those who attended the party, no one else’s vehicle was allowed to enter.Seeing that there was not a single car around, Tanya had no choice but to walk down the hill.Blake had told her to get lost, so she would not go back to the mansion to ask for his help.She walked for about five minutes. High heels were not made for long-distance walks, and she was in a long evening gown. She held a little purse that contained her phone, lipstick, a small packet of tissues, and nothing else. Worse still, she could not tear off the long hem of her gown.Tanya had no c
What Blake said struck a chord with Tanya.Her expression was cold, and the look in her eyes was vicious.She did not even love Blake, so everything he did had nothing to do with her. She did not care if he was involved with other women.“Do you have anything else to say? I don’t think I need to be at this party for long.” Tanya averted her gaze so that she did not have to look Blake in the eye.She had made her point clear. If he did not need her around, she would take her leave for the night.Naturally, Blake knew what she meant to say.“Get lost then!”He yelled at Tanya right away. She did not even spare him a look before lifting the hem of her dress, turning around, and walking away.Blake’s voice was filled with disgust, hatred, and rage. But Tanya could not care less about how he felt.She had come to the party with Blake, who arranged their ride. The Hicks, who organized this party, had prepared a parking lot for the guests. There were cars arranged neatly across the p