Ivanka, Sandy, and Melanie browsed the menu and ordered their food while continuing to put on a polite facade.Ivanka had not expected Chiara to refill her glass of mango juice after finishing each one.Sure, Chiara’s looks, voice, and even food preferences could change, but an allergy was something that could not be altered.Chiara was really going for it. She downed several glasses of mango juice without leaving the table once. Ivanka knew she should not keep staring at her, or she would look too suspicious.Chiara took another sip before turning to Ivanka. She sighed and asked, “Iv, when you were the Lane family’s eldest daughter, how did you handle all the banquets and events? Didn’t you ever get anxious?”She added in frustration, “And those contracts with all their legal terms? I just couldn’t wrap my head around them. How did you ever get through that?”Ivanka chuckled. “Honestly, being the eldest daughter of the Lane family sounds more glamorous than it really is. My uncl
Chiara nodded apologetically at Ivanka and Sandy before getting up to answer the phone and walking away.She did not take anything with her except for her phone. She even left the project bid proposal on the table.It seemed like Chiara had no idea Jonah was planning to give her the Westvale project. Was she purposely leaving it out and hoping Ivanka would tamper with it?If Ivanka wanted the project, she would get it the right way. She would not get it by doing anything shady.As soon as Chiara left, Sandy could not help but voice her uneasiness about Melanie. “Iv, why does Melanie give me such a weird vibe? Everything about her feels fake. Her voice changes all the time. Sometimes, she even sounds like a doll! And her face just makes me uncomfortable. I have no idea why, but even though it’s our first time meeting, something feels off! I think I’m losing it, seriously!”She just could not understand why Melanie seemed so fake!If there was nothing wrong, why would she feel like
Sandy grinned smugly. “Chiara cares most about her image. So, let’s make sure she loses it. Imagine how funny it would be if she made a fool of herself in front of everyone!”Ivanka snapped her fingers in agreement. She had the same idea.Meanwhile, Chiara used her phone call as an excuse to take an allergy pill.During her “death,” she had been trained by Katiana to change many of her habits. But one thing that had not changed was her mango allergy.To be cautious, she always carried allergy pills. Such was the perfect time to use them. Ivanka had ordered mango juice, but it did not seem intentional.Chiara had altered her habits and appearance. She had not crossed paths with Ivanka in a way that could give away her identity. There was no way Ivanka would recognize her.Still, she stayed cautious. While talking on the phone, she said, “You don’t have to call every time. Just text me if something comes up. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”Hearing her tone, Theodore frowne
“Melanie, that’s very polite of you. It’s only normal for you to have something else to handle. We’re friends. Don’t regard yourself as a stranger,” said Ivanka generously. Chiara smiled. She did not believe that Ivanka was not at all interested in the project at Willy suburbs. Chiara took the initiative to invite Ivanka to join her. “Iv, my mom wants me to learn and follow up about the company affairs. But I really know nothing about them. My mom said if I can nail down the contract for the project at Willy suburbs, I can gain a foothold in Levine’s Group and have the rest accept me. I don’t trust others to help me with this. Can you help me?” While saying this, Chiara grabbed Ivanka’s hand and stared at her eagerly. There was a hint of pleading in her misty eyes. Ivanka disliked others touching her, much less Chiara. However, Ivanka had no choice but to put up with her because of her plan. Ivanka smiled and replied to Chiara, “I’ve long known about the project in Willy su
Ivanka knew Chiara had keenly noticed something else. Despite her “comforting” words, Chiara actually felt very pleased. Even if the Sadler family refused to discuss the project at Willy suburbs, how could they terminate the previously set collaboration contract just like that? “There surely has to be a way. The Sadler family is angry because of the car accident. I’ll work out on this. Don’t worry,” said Ivanka with a smile while patting Chiara’s shoulder. She knew Chiara was sounding her out using the project at Willy suburbs. Since such was the case, Ivanka decided to put Chiara to shame using the project at Willy suburbs. Before Ivanka had time to proceed, Rosie called her. “Iv, my distant relative told me that they’ve set their wedding date ahead of the schedule. I already booked a flight for you and Michael early tomorrow morning. They will pick you up when you arrive at the destination.” Ivanka was stunned. Even though she had promised Rosie that she would attend
Fondli was a third-world country. Although it was less developed, it was clean and not heavily polluted. The moment Ivanka got off the plane, she keenly sensed this. “The air is very fresh. The environment is conducive for Grandma to recuperate over here. Unfortunately, her condition wouldn’t allow her body to be exposed to wind.” Michael did not expect Ivanka to care so much about Rosie. He gave her a profound look. It was rare to see him not snort at her. He wondered if he would have stood a better chance if he had used Rosie to make Ivanka spend the night in the Barkworth family’s mansion last night.But Michael was worried that Ivanka would be mad at this suggestion. Hence, he did not bring it up. Nonetheless, Rosie had specially given an account of what he needed to do during the Fondli trip, and Michael was full of confidence. Outside the airport, Michael’s cousin arranged for them a car. The wedding ceremony was located inside the bride’s mansion on the outskirts.
The only problem was, the bridegroom never showed up even once. During the first rehearsal, Candice was the only one who finished the whole course. Ivanka was curious, but she did not give it a second thought. She assumed the bridegroom was absent because he was tied up with something else. That night, Ivanka finally saw the so-called bridegroom. But their encounter was not a happy one. At midnight Ivanka could not fall asleep, so she planned to go out to take a walk. The moment she stepped out of the door, she ran into a drunkard. The man was in a formal suit, but his tie was hung crookedly around his neck. He occasionally hiccoughed and looked sloppy. A woman helped him by the side. They were very close, and the way they interacted with each other was flirty. They talked to each other very intimately. Ivanka saw the duo enter the room next to her. She wondered why they would drink so much during somebody else’s wedding eve. Ivanka thought they were just the wedding gues
Jennifer took the man to Candice in the middle of the night. Things did not seem good. Ivanka knew something bad was going to befall Candice. She was about to follow them when someone behind her abruptly stopped her. Ivanka’s eyes flew wide open. Her scream got stuck in her throat. The man’s large hand had covered her mouth. At the same time, a familiar smell entered her nostrils, and she gave up trying to let go of herself from the man’s grasp. “Why are you giving up so easily?” As expected, Ivanka heard a familiar voice. She turned around and saw Michael’s playful smile. “I know it’s you, so there’s no need to keep trying to free myself,” answered Ivanka truthfully. “How did you know it’s me?” Her answer piqued his interest. Ivanka was about to explain when a thought struck her mind. After that, she kept quiet. “It’s a secret.” Before Michael could continue the topic, Ivanka decided to skip and end it by asking, “You saw everything. What do you think about it?”
Unfortunately, her sly cousin beat her to it.Defeated, Candice rubbed her nose awkwardly and sat down opposite Ivanka.Rosie saw what happened between them and could not stop smiling.When Rosie was young, she was stern and decisive. She implemented strict household rules and banned everyone from talking during mealtime. But as she got older, she seldom had a chance to meet up with her grandchildren.Therefore, she started chatting with them at the dining table.Rosie started off by asking how Candice was doing.Candice was modest. “I’m doing fine these days. Hopefully I have not caused trouble for Ms. Lane.”“I see,” Rosie said. She looked at Ivanka and said teasingly, “What about you, Ms. Lane?”That form of address startled Ivanka. She nearly choked on her soup. She turned away and started coughing. Rosie told Mrs. Ruth to bring her a glass of water.Before the water arrived, Michael reacted quickly and immediately put down his cutlery. He wiped his hands on the napkin
It was still early. Michael told the driver to head over to Candice’s former residence and help her move.Her neighborhood was not a secluded area, and the facilities were not too old. But these houses were mostly for rent. There was a mix of ordinary citizens and people with shady backgrounds among the residents. The security measures in this neighborhood were unsatisfactory.Ivanka helped Candice pack her clothes and other household items, while Michael instructed the movers to pack the furniture.“Leave this. Dispose of that.”When Ivanka and Candice walked out of the bedroom, they saw Michael sitting on the couch with his legs crossed and ordering people around like a boss.Well, he was not simply acting like a boss. He was the boss.Since he decided to leave so many pieces of furniture, the movers’ job had gotten much easier.Candice hurried over and stopped them. She said with resignation, “These are still useful, Mic. Why would we throw them away?Michael glanced at the
Ivanka and Candice got into the car together.Candice instinctively took the front passenger seat while Ivanka and Michael sat in the back.The car moved smoothly toward the family mansion.Michael glanced at Ivanka and noticed her fiddling with her phone. Quickly, he leaned over, cast a shadow over her, and snatched the phone from her hand.“You’ll get carsick.”Ivanka frowned. Her gaze locked on Michael as she extended her hand. “Give it back.”Michael did not budge. Ivanka raised her voice a little. “Give it back. I’m in the middle of something important.”Michael’s striking eyes fixed on her. It was as if he could see right through her.“What’s so urgent? Isn’t it just about someone poaching employees from your company? Do you really need to spend all your time resolving it?”Ivanka’s brows furrowed even tighter.From the front seat, Candice turned around to look at Michael in surprise. “Michael, you know who is behind this?”Michael glanced at Ivanka and said, “Not on
It was perhaps because Ivanka was so outstanding that Candice never saw her as a peer but rather as a role model.Being praised by someone she admired so deeply was naturally a source of great joy.But Candice never said these feelings out loud, nor would she.Ivanka patted her on the shoulder. “Good job. Now get back to work and start getting comfortable in your new role. On Friday evening, Michael and I will help you with your move.”Candice nodded. She had no objections to the arrangement.For some reason, the previous incident had made its way to Rosie’s ears. Rosie had insisted that Candice move into the family’s mansion.Unable to find a reason to refuse or to push back further, Candice reluctantly agreed.“Then you and Michael will be staying for dinner at the family mansion on Friday, right?”Ivanka nodded, figuring they would likely need to stay the night as well.“Don’t overthink it for now. Get back to work, and just wait for me after work on Friday.” Candice no
“One more thing, these are my team members. They’ve seen firsthand how you’ve tried to suppress me all the time. A little payback from them isn’t exactly unjustified, don’t you think?”Before Mandy could say anything, Candice turned to the employee and instructed firmly, “Call security. Have them escort her out of the building. Make sure she doesn’t take anything that doesn’t belong to her. Thoroughly check her devices for any company files.”Mandy completely lost her composure and started yelling.“Who do you think you are to treat me like this? You’re just riding on Ivanka’s coattails! Everyone knows how someone so young became CEO. And you? Are you sticking by her? You’re no better than… Argh!”Before Mandy could finish her tirade, Candice delivered a resounding slap across her face.Not far away, Ivanka, who had come out after hearing the commotion to see if she needed to step in, slowed her steps. While leaning casually against a nearby column, she watched Candice handle the
“I understand what you mean now.” Candice’s cheeks flushed with excitement. The gloom that had previously clouded her was swept away.Her joy was genuine. She said, “In three months’ time, I’ll secure this position and prove to you and the board that your decision was the right one.”With that, Candice stood, gave Ivanka a respectful bow, and left the office.Ivanka watched her leave with a smile.All was good.While the two of them were in good spirits, someone else’s mood was far from pleasant.Mandy returned to her office, humiliated, to pack her belongings.If she could turn back time, she might have chosen not to come at all. The shame she endured was beyond anything she could have imagined.Somehow, word of what happened in the conference room had leaked. Perhaps Ivanka had orchestrated it.When she arrived at her office, she was not surprised to see all her belongings stuffed into a tattered, broken box.The box had been placed right outside her office door. It was a
“Mr. Clarke, if you don’t like my decision and want to change it, you’ll have to take my position first to do so. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”With those words, Ivanka coolly left the meeting room.Candice, though initially taken aback by the sudden turn of events, quickly adjusted to her new role. Turning to Mandy, she said, “Ms. Cruella, please ensure your office is cleared in three days, as I will be moving in.”With that, she too left the room.After they left, the meeting room erupted into chaos, with arguments flying back and forth. However, the outcome was already sealed. Ferris was powerless to change it.Though he still had cards to play, he was not about to waste them on Mandy.Sure enough, by the afternoon, employees spotted Mandy packing her belongings and leaving in disgrace.Candice, though initially satisfied, could not help but feel uneasy. After thinking it over, she decided to speak with Ivanka. And so, at that moment, she was standing in front of the door to t
Ferris was panicking at the moment. He shot Mandy a disappointing and furious glare.It was one thing for her to embezzle funds, it was another for her to get caught.How foolish!Feeling the weight of Ferris’s gaze, Mandy instinctively lowered her head.That only made Ferris more enraged.She had caused all this trouble, and he had to clean up the mess.Ivanka ignored them and turned to the other shareholders. She sharply said, “Tell me, how can someone like her hold the position of project director in our company, yet Candice can’t even be promoted to team leader?”Mandy had been personally hired by Ferris, so Ivanka criticizing her in front of everyone was effectively a direct slap to his face.That naturally made Ferris extremely uncomfortable.His expression turned even darker.“In my opinion, it’s true Mandy shouldn’t have done that, but she’s been in this position for so long. While she doesn’t have achievements, she’s at least put in the effort. How about this, let’s
However, her smile did not reach her eyes.Mandy stood frozen. She was too scared to drink the water or take a seat. Just like that, she was ignored. The atmosphere was awkward. She could only cast a pleading glance toward Ferris for support.Ferris, who was standing near her, cleared his throat and said, “That’s right. Ms. Ivanka, Ms. Cruella is right. This isn’t in line with proper procedures.”Ivanka maintained her enigmatic smile. Her index finger tapped lightly on the table. It was impossible to guess what was going through her mind.She glanced around the room. “What do the rest of you think?”She sounded like she was seeking opinions, but the weight of her presence was intimidating. No one dared to answer.Just as Ferris was about to say something, Ivanka picked up Mandy’s report and tossed it onto the floor.It happened too fast. Everyone was stunned by her action. Even Ferris was caught off guard.Mandy’s face turned pale.“Rules are made by people. Besides, Cand