But Mr. Keller refused to listen. “Enough with that! Be honest with me. What are you up to?”Ivanka said, “If I were Theodore’s accomplice, do you think I’d get you medicine? Wouldn’t I want you dead as soon as possible?“We have the same goal. We both want Theodore dead. I’m the person who will help you achieve that. But first, you must recover and get better.”Ivanka pursed her lips as she spoke with an emotionless expression.However, when she mentioned Theodore, the hatred in her eyes was intense.If Lyla had not taken the fall for him, Theodore would have been in prison rather than still working as the general manager at Lane’s Group.But Ivanka had been investigating him. There was no way she would let him remain a free man.Nessa and Mr. Keller would be her breakthrough.Mr. Keller noticed the emotion in her eyes, as well as the physical similarities between her and Theodore.He was puzzled and alert. “What is your relationship with Theodore?”Ivanka’s expression was c
Ivanka was surprised when she saw Michael following her.Why was this jerk here?While she was still in shock, Michael said to her in a cold voice, “Get in the car.”Since he had come all this way and offered a free ride, she knew she was not in a position to be picky.She and Nessa helped Martin into the backseat.Michael’s expression darkened.Just as she was about to get into the backseat, Michael said in an icy voice, “Come up front. I need to talk to you.”So, Ivanka sat in the passenger seat.Michael still looked displeased. “What are you going to do with them?”He had come all this way, so he must have figured everything out. Ivanka decided not to hide it. “I found them a place near the elementary school and got Nessa’s school stuff taken care of.”That was her plan. She and Michael would be able to handle all of this easily.Michael immediately called Evan.Evan could get it done in five minutes.Although she knew she was supposed to feel grateful for Michael’s hel
Even if Martin were to end up dying, she could still frame Theodore and send him straight to prison if she wanted to.So, there was no reason to make things too complicated.Thinking of this, Michael decided to speak up.However, Evan was very perceptive. He quickly said, “Let me handle it. Ms. Ivanka, you must be exhausted from running around!”“Oh, okay. You can take care of it, then.” Ivanka trusted Evan a lot.Evan took the form from her and said, “Sure thing.”Ivanka turned to Martin and asked, “Is there anything else you guys need?”Martin held Nessa, who looked surprised and bewildered.“Iv, are we really going to live here?”Martin was also in disbelief. He had not expected Ivanka to follow through and arrange such a nice place for them.Ivanka smiled and replied, “Of course! Since you met me, when have I ever lied to you?”Martin repeatedly thanked Ivanka. “Thank you! Thank you! Don’t worry; I’ll make sure to do as you say.”With that, Ivanka and Michael settled Ma
Ivanka hoped that by offering her understanding and support, Martin would be motivated to help her with Theodore’s situation. She wanted him to provide her with a significant breakthrough.However, if Ivanka took Martin and Nessa shopping in the mall, outsiders may see them as a family of three.Even though Michael knew this was not true, he did not want anyone to misunderstand.So, he pulled Ivanka closer and said, “Just let Evan handle those things. He can order everything based on their sizes and have it delivered. They have their matters to deal with, and we have ours.”Ivanka frowned at Michael’s words. She did not respond. Her confused expression spoke volumes. She was not entirely on board with his suggestion.She wondered what tasks Michael had that required her to drop her own. He had not informed her beforehand, which left Ivanka feeling dissatisfied.However, she did not want to display any negative emotions in front of others.Evan quickly took Martin and Nessa away
Michael felt uncomfortable all over when he thought back to how intimate Martin was with Ivanka.However, Ivanka was extremely dissatisfied with Michael’s words and actions. She shot him a glare.“When did I act excessively with them? You say I’m overdoing it. Michael, don’t you think you’re the one being excessive?”Why did he think he could restrict her life in every way? He acted like some kind of high-and-mighty king.Michael denied her judgment. “No, I’m not.”“That’s your opinion. Isn’t everything supposed to be based on how I see it?”The two of them began to argue.Michael disagreed. “Sure, but I don’t see it that way. You shouldn’t deny everything because of a small issue. Don’t you think that’s unfair to me?”Ivanka was in disbelief. She did not expect Michael to bring up fairness.But since he already mentioned it, she did not mind being straightforward. She smiled and said, “You think I’m being unfair to you now? When have you ever been fair to me?”He was the one
At the same time, Michael was dissatisfied with Martin. He felt that Martin was being overly demanding.Martin felt uncomfortable after being scolded by Michael. He appeared visibly distressed.However, he did not look at Michael. Instead, he continued to gaze at Ivanka with aggrieved eyes.Even though Michael spoke before Ivanka, she knew his refusal was well intended.She was helping the Kellen family take down Theodore. For that, they both needed to be healthy enough to stand trial. Only then could they effectively testify against Theodore.She had not considered adoption yet.“You don’t need to worry about any of that. As I said, just focus on getting better. I’ll take care of everything for Nessa. If you’re really worried, once this is all over, I’ll give you some money and help you find a good job.”She was confident in her ability to cure Martin’s illness. In that case, Martin could manage to raise a child on his own. She would not need to adopt Nessa or overly assist the
Theodore knew that Ivanka had found Martin and Nessa. The next step would definitely be to lure him into a trap.Seeing that Ivanka had taken the conversation this far, Martin felt he could not say anything more. He knew it was time to stop pushing his luck. He worried that saying too much would upset her and make her withdraw her support.Once everything was settled, Ivanka and Michael left together.Ivanka pursed her lips and said, “I need to head back to the hotel near the market to grab my stuff. Let’s just split up here since we’ll be heading in different directions.”Michael raised an eyebrow. “Different directions? Aren’t we both staying at the same hotel?”Ivanka was speechless for a moment.“I’m just going back to get my things. You don’t have anything there. Once I have my stuff, I’ll go straight back.”He responded, “Yeah, that won’t work.”Her expression darkened upon hearing his cold response.“And why is that?” she asked. She was clearly unhappy.“Grandma wants
Michael did not go after Ivanka. They got out of the car at the hotel entrance one after the other. The duo exchanged glances but said nothing else. Little did they know that their jaws would drop the moment they opened the room door. They saw Rosie sitting on the couch in the main hall. If not for the fact that April’s Fool was still months away, both Michael and Ivanka would have thought that someone was playing a practical joke on them. Michael was the first to react. “Grandma, why are you here?” When Rosie saw the duo enter the room, she stood up from the couch and walked toward them with the help of a walking stick. She glared at Michael. Soon, she smiled. “I feel bored staying alone inside the hospital, so I decided to visit you. Have you finished your work?” Actually, it was needless for Michael to ask Rosie’s purpose of coming over to them. It was clear to see what her real intention was. Ivanka said nothing. She waited for Rosie to reveal her real purpose o
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