However, to Evan’s surprise, Ivanka still put him on the back burner.Glancing in the rearview mirror at Michael’s gloomy face, Evan struggled to keep his composure. “Ms. Lane, this is a matter of life and death. I’m begging you, can’t you make it a priority?”He was giving it his all to help Michael and Ivanka reconcile.Ivanka pursed her lips together and said, “Even if I rush there right away, it won’t change much. Evan, Grandma is using the Ganoderma nebula. You should call Michael and ask him to set some aside for your grandfather.”While it was confirmed that using the entire Ganoderma nebula would yield better results, the fact remained that it could save two lives. Ivanka believed Michael wouldn’t be so stingy about something this serious.Evan did not know how to respond to that.He had planned to get Ivanka away from Jonah, but the situation had unexpectedly circled back to Michael.If he said no, it would look like he was being cold and indifferent to his own grandfat
She was not as bad as he once thought.Everything he had previously believed about her was a misunderstanding. She had so many sides to her. He had never taken the time to try to understand her.At that moment, a deep sense of unease settled over him.He understood why she and Jonah always seemed to have a lot to talk about. Regardless of the situation, Jonah always had his eyes fixed on Ivanka and spoke to her softly and with happiness. Right, what woman would not prefer someone warm and considerate over someone cold and distant?So, would Ivanka choose Jonah?An uncomfortable pressure began to build in Michael’s chest as a result of the thought. It felt like his chest was about to explode.Evan felt a growing sense of guilt as Michael’s expression became darker and more tense. “Mr. Barkworth, how about I go straight to Ms. Lane and apologize?”Ivanka may not be upset if he told her the truth, but it could also cause problems between her and Jonah. However, Michael
Not wanting Ivanka to be swayed by anything related to Michael, Jonah brought up another topic.“Why don’t you come by Sadler’s Group tomorrow to discuss about the Willy suburbs project? Also, about the collaboration we talked about last time, do you have the designs ready?”Ivanka had only completed the fashion designs for the “Spring Colors” collection, but she had not started on the jewelry yet. Still, creating the designs would not be difficult for her.Without hesitation, Ivanka said, “Since I’ll be at Sadler’s Group tomorrow to meet with you, I’ll bring the design drafts with me.”“Good.” Jonah was fine with that.In fact, he was already looking forward to it. He believed that work would naturally give them more opportunities to spend time together.Jonah raised his hand to call over the waiter. “Bring me the menu.”The waiter quickly returned with two menus.Jonah immediately handed one to Ivanka. He tenderly said, “Iv, take a look and see what you’d like to eat.”How
When Evan saw Ivanka’s number flashing on his phone, he became nervous.He even considered coming clean.Rosie frowned when Evan did not answer his phone. “Evan, what’s going on? Why aren’t you picking up?”Evan jolted and snapped back to reality. “Mdm. Barkworth, it’s... It’s Ms. Lane calling.”Evan had laid out his entire plan and thoughts to Rosie as soon as they returned to the mansion when she questioned him.Rosie gave him a sharp look when she heard that it was Ivanka calling. “So now you’re afraid to face her? You two really are good-for-nothing! Did you really think Ivanka wouldn’t see through your plans?”Rosie clutched her chest, as she was feeling a tight, painful pressure there.She had come up with a perfectly crafted plan to help them reconcile, and what had they done?One was incapable of taking action, while the other came up with useless, harebrained ideas. They were completely unreliable!Evan kept his head down. He was fully aware of how foolish his plan
Michael did not expect to see Jonah driving her over.They were too far away, and he could not hear their conversation.But Michael clearly noticed Ivanka staring at Jonah. Every expression she made when she looked at him was painfully striking.In the next second, Ivanka put her arm around Jonah’s.“Come in with me?” she asked.Jonah said with a smile, “Since I’m already here, of course I’ll keep playing along, won’t I?”Since Jonah had agreed to cooperate, Ivanka said nothing else.Together, they walked into the Barkworth family’s mansion.Michael subconsciously balled his right hand into a fist when he saw them together. Seeing Ivanka appear in the living room on Jonah’s arm, Evan was shocked.At the sight of them, Rosie’s face darkened. Unable to help herself, she rose from the couch abruptly.She could not believe what she was seeing. She had difficulty breathing, and her chest was aching!The pain reminded her that what she saw was real. It was not a trick of the lig
But what happened in the end?Rosie still refused to believe it. “Is it because you’re reluctant to attend my relative’s wedding with Michael on my behalf? That’s why you found a fake boyfriend, Iv?”Ivanka pursed her lips. She was indeed reluctant to attend that wedding.But Rosie had brought it up twice, and Ivanka wanted to cut ties with Michael. Therefore, she enlisted Jonah’s help to stop Rosie and Evan from setting her and Michael up again. She also hoped that Michael would get over her soon.Before she said anything, Jonah beat her to it.He said in a low but somber voice, “Ivanka and I are in a serious relationship, Mdm. Barkworth. You can’t accuse her of lying to you. Ever since she divorced Michael, she no longer has anything to do with him. She is free to do whatever she wants. She doesn’t have to find herself a fake boyfriend to trick you.”As he spoke, he grabbed Ivanka’s shoulder.At that moment, she sensed his powerful strength. She was thankful to him for playing
Ivanka was speechless.It was a good thing that she and Jonah were merely acting.If they were really dating, Michael’s words would have infuriated her and Jonah.“A temporary stay should be fine. After all, we humans have feelings. Iv is close to Mdm. Barkworth, and she is a medical expert. If she can heal her by staying over temporarily, why not? What do you say, Iv?”“Medical expert? What medical expert?” Rosie was confused. She did not understand what they were saying at all.Her eyes were filled with bewilderment.It was only then did Ivanka realize that Rosie had not known that she was Violet Cress.Ivanka had also been too busy lately to bring that up.But it would not change anything.Before she replied, Michael quickly explained, “Ivanka is a medical expert. Haven’t you found out about that since she returned, Grandma?”Rosie was astonished.She had been preoccupied with how to set Michael and Ivanka up. Of course she had not figured this out!Ivanka was actually a
Michael and Ivanka never shared this intimacy when they married for three years.Jonah realized that Ivanka was asking for his help. It was all an act.Since he was already here, he should help her until the very last moment.Therefore, he said, “If Mdm. Barkworth needs you, I can drive you over every day. But you’ve been busy with work lately. Are you sure you can handle it, Iv?”He said this on purpose.Before Ivanka said anything, Rosie quickly said, “It can be exhausting to travel back and forth every day. You should just stay over, Iv. I believe that you’ll heal me completely within days. Please stay. I really have something important to discuss with you.”When Rosie said the last sentence, she leaned closer to Ivanka and kept her voice down.Seeing that Rosie was so insistent, Ivanka said, “Even if I stay, I still need to travel daily. I have work to do.”Rosie did not seem to see that as a problem. “You can work from home. Alright, tell you what? I’ll ask Evan to assist
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