Ivanka smiled at Theodore. “So?” Ivanka had to admit that she was “impressed” with Theodore. As a CEO who had been demoted to an ordinary employee, he seemed to have no qualms obeying the orders of his colleagues who had curried favor with him in the past. On top of that, he acted very naturally. It was simply wishful thinking for him to even hope about making a comeback. Ivanka thought. “He’s living in his own bubble!” Theodore replied to her indifferently, “What’s the point of retaining an employee who doesn’t even recognize the CEO of the company?” Ivanka instantly refuted him, “Are you the CEO of the company or I am?” Ivanka narrowed her eyes. Her gaze was cold. Theodore had originally wanted to use the receptionist to tease Ivanka. It turned out that he had been put on the spot instead. He refused to leave the company and wanted to make a comeback. Therefore, he compromised Ivanka’s arrangement of demoting him to an ordinary employee. Theodore understood what sh
Ivanka did not trust Theodore. Although the receptionist did not recognize her, Ivanka did not fire her according to Theodore’s order. Ivanka gave the receptionist a chance. “You’re innocent because you know nothing about me. But when you join a new company, you need to first understand its rules and regulations. This is especially so when you’re the receptionist. You need to treat everyone who enters the company like VIPs.” “Got it, Ms. Lane. I’ll keep your words in my mind. Thank you for giving me a chance.” The receptionist felt extremely lucky and grateful. This was her first day working in Lane’s Group. Ivanka said coolly, “If you have no idea how to work professionally, you can always do some research from the websites.” Right after Ivanka finished her sentence, she turned to Theodore. Her tone became firmer. “As an ordinary employee, shouldn’t you go to work on time? Are you a business negotiator?” Ivanka narrowed her eyes. Theodore was an experienced man. He
“Do you think you can oppress me simply because I’m young and inexperienced? Why do you refuse to accept my recommendations? I won’t waste my breath anymore. If you refuse to do as I say, you can withdraw your shares at a discounted rate.” Right after Ivanka finished her sentence, she pulled her hand away and changed her posture. She casually leaned back in the office chair. Her gaze was still as sharp as a razor. The shareholders who disagreed with her had wanted to join forces to put pressure on her. They wanted to make her give up her thoughts. But they did not expect Ivanka to behave so arrogantly. Only a fool would withdraw their shares after knowing that Lane’s Group had a great prospect ahead. They certainly refused to withdraw their shares. “This isn’t counted as a shareholders’ meeting since a few key men aren’t around. You need to wait for the rest before making a final decision for your proposal,” said one of the shareholders. Ivanka looked around. Indeed, a
After she said that, Ivanka stood up to leave. Just as she said, she was giving certain people a chance. If they could correct themselves on the two points she mentioned from then on, certain parasites could still stay within the company. If they could not correct it, then she would take the opportunity and nip the problem in the bud. In that regard, Ivanka’s objective was apparent. However, Ferris Clark could not stand for this. He approached Theodore. “When will your plan begin? If you need any help now, just say the word!” Theodore looked at Ferris. Ferris was as ambitious as he was. Although he had never been hostile to him before, Ferris had his own set of ideas. Meanwhile, at the shareholders’ meeting, Ivanka pushed Ferris to his side. It was better to have one more friend than to have one more enemy. Theodore smiled and poured him a cup of tea. “Ferris, some things can’t be rushed. She’s eager to make some achievements after taking over. We’re her second
“Dad.” Theodore frowned. “Why did you change your number again?” Chiara pursed her lips. “Ivanka is tailing me closely. I can’t let her find out that I’m still alive. She’s back home now. We have to act quickly. We can’t let her get away with this again!” If Ivanka was not eliminated, their plans after this would become more and more difficult to carry out. Theodore’s expression looked solemn. “Of course I know. I don’t need you to teach me how to handle things. Didn’t you say your men were very reliable? Why is she back home alive?”Originally, Theodore also thought that Ivanka would die in Mirvania.When this matter was brought up, Chiara was morose too. She also did not expect Ivanka to befriend the owner of Kingzillion Casino in Mirvania and receive his protection. Chiara’s expression was ugly. “Ivanka has too many friends. She has people protecting her in Mirvania. Back home, it’s just Michael and Jonah. But we can also work better on home turf.” “Right.”Theodore
He wanted to see just what this meeting with Jonah was about!… Meanwhile, the private airplane that Tanya and Blake were traveling in had landed at the Cullen family’s mansion, on their vast lawn.When Tanya stepped off the plane and saw no one in front of her, anger instantly raged from the bottom of her heart. In the past, she was always greeted by a large number of servants who nodded and bowed to her whenever she went out or returned home. The emptiness today was a direct indication that she, Tanya Cullen, was no longer taken seriously. When they entered the main house, there was no sign of her parents. She saw a maid. Before the maid could greet her, she asked. “Where are my parents?”The maid saw Tanya. She was not quite ashamed of the news that Tanya had been exposed on the internet. Tanya was still the heir to the Cullen family. She had to be respectful, “Ms. Tanya, ever since you were exposed on the internet, Mr. Cullen was so angry that he was admitted into th
The moment their hands touched, Tanya felt his warmth. She violently shook Blake’s hand away. It was like she had touched a hot potato.“Let’s go, Tanya. Every daughter-in-law would have to meet their in-laws someday. It’s the same for a fiancé like me.”Blake slowly said. His voice was extremely gentle.Tanya was silent. But in hindsight, she found Blake’s words to be extraordinarily strange.In the car, she still looked at him. Then she made things clear. “Blake Hicks, our relationship is mutually beneficial. We each have their own needs. Don’t say things just to make yourself seem noble. We are just acting our roles. It’s not real. Don’t get too deep into the drama!”“Understood.”Blake did not continue after replying.Soon, in front of the hospital, they got out of the car. On the VIP floor of the inpatient department, Tanya asked for her father. She learned where the ward her father was in from the nurse.“Wait for my cue outside. Don’t come in on your own,” Tanya said t
Tanya viciously pinched her palm. “No, Dad. Someone wants me. The eldest son of Mirvania’s Hicks family, Blake Hicks. He’s outside the door right now. I won’t let Michael and Ivanka off the hook easily when I’m back this time!”At the mention of those two people, a touch of ruthlessness flashed through Tanya’s eyes.However, Edward narrowed his eyes. “Tanya, your name is already in the mud. Since it’s the Hicks family from Mirvania, how could they possibly want you?” Edward did not believe it. The more powerful the family, the less they would want notoriety. They demanded to be paired with a proper family.Any family would want someone with a clean reputation.“Dad, he came back with me this time. He’s right outside the door.” Tanya knew that her father did not believe her. With that, she stood up, then she turned toward the door and called out. “Blake, come in.”Blake had been watching from the doorway. When he heard Tanya call out to him, Blake pushed the door and entered in
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