“Hello, are you a family member of Theodore Lane? This is Silverstone Hospital. We have a situation…”“I’m not.”Ivanka did not have the patience to listen any longer. She found it a little amusing. Of all people, why would they be calling her when something had happened to Theodore?However, the voice on the other end continued before she could hang up. “But he has listed you as his emergency contact. Aren’t you Ivanka Lane? He’s currently in the hospital, unconscious. We need you to come over to handle the paperwork and settle the outstanding medical fees.”Ivanka was speechless.She could not blame the hospital staff for not knowing the situation, but asking her to settle Theodore’s medical bills? Was that a joke?She would be more than happy if Theodore were dead!Before she could say anything, the person on the other end had already hung up.Ivanka simply thought it was absurd.Sandy noticed the change in Ivanka’s expression. She asked, “Iv, who called you? What’s with th
“Iv, when did you get back?”As expected, when Chiara asked that question, Ivanka knew everything was going exactly as she had anticipated.Ivanka smiled and replied, “I’ve been back for a little while now. Don’t worry, it’s just a simple errand. It won’t take long. I’ll send you the address, so hurry up and come.”With that, Ivanka immediately sent Chiara her location.If she wanted a reason to go to the hospital, she would need them to call her again. Otherwise, if she simply took Chiara there, it would definitely make her suspicious.Ivanka gave Sandy a look. Sandy patted her chest and grinned. “You don’t need the hospital to call you again. I’m right here, ready to help! Finding an excuse will be a piece of cake.”“Piece of cake?”Hearing those words, Ivanka froze for a moment.She made it clear. “A minor illness won’t work.”Sandy chuckled and responded in a teasing tone. “Don’t worry, I’ve got a brilliant plan.” After Chiara arrived, she and Sandy greeted her and invit
Ivanka and Sandy were right in front of her. She could not just devise an excuse to get rid of them.Chiara could only restrain her emotions.Meanwhile, the conversation between Sandy and Ivanka caught the nurse’s attention.The nurse frowned and looked at Sandy and Ivanka. “What are you two here for?”Sandy quickly replied, “I’m here for a check-up.”“A check-up for what?” The nurse asked out of habit. Sandy promptly answered, “To see if I’m pregnant.”The nurse could hardly believe what she was hearing. She was amused. “Miss, if you want to check if you’re pregnant, you should go to a pharmacy and buy a pregnancy test kit. Also, pregnancy tests aren’t part of the emergency services. You should turn left out the door, walk a hundred meters, and go to the outpatient department.”Chiara could start getting suspicious. Sandy reacted quickly. “I’m worried the test kits at the pharmacy aren’t accurate. This pregnancy may affect my future, of course I was anxious. I didn’t know pre
“Okay.”Chiara nodded and walked away.Watching Chiara walk away, Sandy crossed her arms and started mocking Ivanka.“Honestly, acting is so exhausting. I really don’t know how those actors do it on a daily basis!”She was only doing this briefly, and those actors had to do it for long stretches while constantly under the spotlight!“So, you…”Ivanka turned to look at Sandy.Sandy shook her head. “Since she’s already left, what’s the point of me getting checked now? I knew Chiara wouldn’t be able to help herself. Look, we’ve got solid proof now. Should we take advantage of this and get someone to take photos?”Sandy was thinking ahead for Ivanka. She imagined that if things came to a confrontation with Chiara, those photos and evidence would corner Chiara with no room for denial.However, Ivanka shook her head. “No need. The hospital’s got cameras, and besides, exposing this too early wouldn’t be a good move. Like you said, the game’s just begun. I haven’t had my fun yet. How
After hearing the full story from Chiara, Theodore’s face flushed with anger.He had hoped that Chiara’s new identity would ensure that everything would go according to plan without anyone suspecting a thing. However, it felt like they were nothing more than pawns in Ivanka’s game.Ivanka had positioned herself high above. She was looking down on their misery with a detached, almost god-like amusement.Chiara, on the other hand, was in complete panic. “What? My face is completely different, and my voice is different too. Sandy only came to the hospital to get checked out because she’s pregnant with Ivan’s child. Ivanka’s not some kind of psychic! There’s no way she could have figured out I’m Chiara after just a few encounters. No, I don’t believe it!”Her voice was frantic. She seemed to be losing control.Seeing his daughter in distress made Theodore feel uneasy, as if invisible hands were squeezing his heart tight.“Sweetheart, you have to accept the reality of the situation. I
When Chiara returned to where Ivanka and Sandy were waiting, Sandy, committed to making the act as convincing as possible, actually went through with getting an ultrasound.Holding the report in her hand, Sandy continued to act and fool Chiara.Sure enough, Chiara noticed the ultrasound report in Sandy’s hand and asked with a concerned tone, “Sandy, what did the results say? Are you pregnant?”“Yes, I’m pregnant.”“Congratulations! Go ahead and show the report to the doctor. Iv and I will wait for you outside,” Chiara said with a forced smile. Her tone dripped with polite pretense.Sandy had no choice but to step into Xander’s office.“Pregnant, huh?” Xander raised an eyebrow at Sandy the moment she walked in.Since it was just the two of them, Sandy dropped the act. “I’m not pregnant. Everything earlier was just a performance between Ivanka and me. Now, can you do me a favor and just prescribe some calcium supplements?”Xander was speechless. Sandy had been the one claiming
When their eyes met, Ivan fixed his sharp, somber gaze on Sandy.She blinked. She had a bad feeling about this.“D*mn it!” she thought. What was this guy doing here? Sandy suspected that Xander might have told Ivan something.But she immediately calmed herself down.As she was about to dawdle toward Ivan, he already strode up to her.His sturdy, towering shadow enveloped her instantly.Ivan narrowed his eyes and said with a cold, accusing tone, “Are you pregnant?”Sandy was flabbergasted.The moment she saw Ivan, she knew why he was here. She knew that she was about to face his wrath and barrage of questions.But who gave him the right to be mad with her?Sandy lowered her voice. “Why do you care if I’m pregnant? It has nothing to do with you. Besides, I have something else to attend to, so I don’t have time for you right now.”She had only intended to trick Chiara into coming to the hospital. She had not thought about the consequences.However, when Ivan showed up, the f
Sandy stared at Ivan with a cold look in her eyes. Ivan understood what she meant.Her eyes were saying, “We have nothing to do with each other. What makes you think you can interfere with my life?”Ivan realized that he cared about her, and this realization made his heart sink.At that moment, he threw away his pride and immediately confessed his feelings. “I don’t want to see you end up with someone else, Sandy. I don’t want to see you pregnant with another man’s child.”Ivan had seen the ultrasound image.The report did not mention that Sandy was pregnant. Ivan had been ecstatic and dejected at the same time.It was because…Sandy asked, “Why?”She stared at him fixedly with confusion and indifference in her dark eyes. “Why don’t you want to see me end up with someone else?”Ivan knew at that moment, he could not run away from this conversation.He must tell the truth, even if she would avoid him after his confession.Ivan pressed his lips together. After a moment of he
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