If the artery near his heart ruptures, it would lead to massive bleeding. Michael could die instantly without a chance for resuscitation!Therefore, Michael needed complete bed rest right now. No stress, no overexertion, not even casual walking around. He could not do anything that required strenuous movement!The first priority was clear, which was to completely eliminate the residual drugs in Michael’s system. However, given his current condition, even something as drastic as a full blood transfusion was not an option.Michael’s case was proving to be increasingly complicated.Ivanka, remembering how Michael had yanked out his IV and gotten out of bed just moments ago, felt a surge of anger rise within her. She was so furious she wanted to kill him!She threw the test results onto the table. “You’ll have to be the one to tell Michael. He doesn’t listen to a word I say. Tell him this, if he wants to live, he’d better follow the doctor’s orders. If he wants to die, then he can lea
Seeing Ivan catch up to her, Ivanka frowned. “What do you want?”Ivan wasted no time. “I need your help. I need you to set me up with Sandy.”He did not beat around the bush. This was, after all, the main reason he had come to the hospital today.Back in Mirvania, he had already asked her once. At the time, she had said they could talk about it once she returned home. However, Sandy just called her yesterday to talk about Ivan.Her tone was dripping with disdain and frustration when she talked about him.Ivanka shook her head. “I can’t help you with that. If Sandy likes you, and you like her, then I…”“If we both liked each other, do you think someone like Sandy would need anyone to play matchmaker?” Ivan interrupted before she could finish.Ivanka was momentarily at a loss for words. She could not deny that Ivan was right. With Sandy’s personality, if she really liked someone, there would be no need for anyone to step in.Still, the dynamic that these two shared was rather c
Of course, there had also been Samuel, Michael’s grandfather, orchestrating their marriage.Before Ivanka could say more, Ivan realized he had misspoken and hurried to explain. “Wait, that’s not what I meant! I was talking about before. Now Michael’s different. He really wants to fix things and make it up to you. Just forget what I said earlier!”His flustered response amused Ivanka. She teased him, “Spilled words are like spilled water. I already heard them. Do you really think I can just ignore them?”She was not deaf, after all. There was no taking back what he had just said.Ivan looked visibly annoyed with himself. He thought. “Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut? If Michael finds out what I’d just blurted, he’d probably kill me. Seriously, I have a knack for saying the wrong thing.”“All right, enough of this. I’m busy, so I have to go. As for Sandy, if she’s open to considering you and you manage to prove that you’re reliable, I’ll help where I can. But if she has no intere
Ivanka was at a loss for words for a second.She had not expected Ivan to say something like that.Did he just assume she was going to see Sandy?Ivanka felt resigned. “Fine, I’ll call you a cab and have it take you straight to Sandy. Also, why not just ask Michael for money?”Her last point hit the nail on the head.Ivan was momentarily speechless. She was not wrong. It did not make sense for him to go to her instead of Michael. However, with the agreement he and Michael had made, there was no way he could let Ivanka leave alone, especially not when he needed to stop her from potentially meeting Jonah.With a long sigh and a look of exaggerated helplessness, Ivan said, “I thought about it, but you know how it is. Men have their pride, or what little of it we have left. Look, I get what you’re thinking. But if you just take me to Sandy, then fine, let me be pitied. I’ll take it. If I didn’t mean it, do you think I’d still be standing here asking you like this?”His words were
Therefore, Ivan came clean and said, “I do intend to help you and Michael, but I’m also truly broke. Many people refuse to believe that. You’re the only one who was willing to lend me money right away. As for Michael, I haven’t told him about my predicament.”With that, he had explained why Michael did not help him out.He also wanted to convince Ivanka that he was telling the truth.Ivanka was not interested in whether Ivan had told Michael about his financial problem. She was bothered by what he said in the beginning. He wanted to help her and Michael out.Did he know the current state of their relationship?For some reason, everyone around them failed to see that.Ivanka pursed her lips with resignation. “We’re already divorced. We have been separated for quite some time. I don’t know what’s with you all. Do you seriously think that we can get back together again? If we could just make up, why did we get a divorce in the first place?”People indeed could remarry, but if they
When Ivanka mentioned Michael, Sandy was enraged.Michael was shameless!He insisted on getting Ivanka involved in everything he did. If they were a couple in a close-knit relationship, they had every right to do anything together.But they had already gotten a divorce. They were strangers. He should not cross the line again!Sandy was so furious that she wanted to run over to Michael and end him.“I know, but he’s very ill. When we were in Mirvania, he took two bullets for me when I was in danger.” Hearing what Sandy said to her, Ivanka felt rather dejected as well.She kept trying to cut ties with Michael, but he always had a reason to call her over.Recalling Xander’s words on his condition, Ivanka was rather troubled.Sandy disagreed with her. “He took the bullets for you willingly. You didn’t ask him to do it. Besides, didn’t you travel to Mirvania just to get medicine for his grandma?“Something bad happened because he brought you there. If you had stayed here, it wouldn
Ivanka sounded serious, and she said nothing else.She was no longer an eighteen-year-old girl who would risk everything in the name of love. She knew what she should do in her current situation.Moreover, she no longer craved love and romance.If Ivanka were talking about something else, Sandy would believe that she knew what to do.But when it came to Michael, Sandy did not trust her.She snorted. “If you really know what to do, how did you end up getting hurt by Michael? You had to put your career aside while you were married to him for three years!“I don’t want to point this out, Iv, but I’ve got to talk some sense into you. Stop being a lovesick fool! Back when Michael handed you the divorce paper, you were reluctant to sign it, right?”Michael was decisive when he gave her the document, and Ivanka had finally realized what kind of man he was. Hence, they got divorced and separated for good.For a moment, what Sandy said tugged at Ivanka’s heartstrings.The second she ha
Ivanka said, “Ivan didn’t say anything. He wanted me to help him set you up, but don’t you worry. I didn’t agree to do it. I know what kind of person you’re like. If you’re willing to date him, you wouldn’t need any help. Besides, I don’t think I should get involved in things like this.”Hearing that Ivan had asked for Ivanka’s help, Sandy was furious. “He dared to come to you for help? Gosh, all men are jerks, and that’s a fact!“He should have looked at himself in the mirror! How dare he ask for your help?!”As it seemed, Sandy really abhorred Ivan.Ivanka frowned and got to the point. “Why do you dislike him so much? Didn’t you travel to Mirvania with him a while ago? I’ve seen the way you acted around each other.”“Don’t be fooled by the appearance. Do you think we get along? I went to Mirvania with him because he knew where Michael was, and you didn’t tell me where you stayed to keep me away.” Sandy cut her off and explained the situation.Then, she added, “Ivan did not want
Instead, she remained standing in front of Jimothy and studied the group of men with a smile.“He works at our company. Since I’ve run into him, I’m obligated to come over and check on him. Pray tell, what has happened between you and why do you feel the need to resolve it with violence?”Jimothy stared at Candice while she stood with her back facing him. The look in his eyes was conflicted.The men exchanged glances with each other and saw a hint of astonishment in one another’s eyes.The man at the front of the group, who was likely their leader, said, “We just get paid to do this, lady. You should stay out of it.”When Candice heard his advice which also sounded like a threat, she did not intend to back down at all. Instead, she asked him, “Oh? How much did you get for this? I’ll pay you double. I just told you that this guy works for us, so I have to intervene.”The leader started laughing, and so did the men behind him. They did not even bother to hide the mockery in their t
Candice ordered some food she liked, and the dishes arrived soon after.Sandy suggested that they all took a picture together.The others did not object.Sandy gave her phone to the waiter.Then the five of them moved their chairs to sit in a row.Michael and Ivan each took the outermost seats.Naturally, Ivanka was seated next to Michael while Sandy, who paid for the dinner, was right beside her.Next to Sandy was Candice, who sat awkwardly in her chair. Ivan was beside Candice.The second the waiter took the picture, Ivanka and Michael exchanged glances inadvertently. Meanwhile, Ivan stared past Candice, and his eyes fell on Sandy.Sandy and Candice were the only people who looked into the camera.But each and every one of them had a genuine smile on their face.Once they had taken a picture, they started eating together.It was a nice, relaxing dinner. They did not talk about work or how annoying Coco had been.They mostly chatted about the fun anecdotes they had he
The call was soon answered, but the person who picked up was not Rosie. It was Mrs. Ruth.“Ms. Lane, you finally called! Mdm. Barkworth will be over the moon when she wakes up!” Mrs. Ruth sounded quite excited as she spoke.Ivanka smiled and asked, “Is Grandma resting now?”“Yeah, she hasn’t had a good rest after learning that you’d be kidnapped. Once you were safe, she finally allowed herself to rest.”Ivanka nodded and told Mrs. Ruth to take good care of Rosie. She later said that she and Micheal would visit Rosie soon.With that, she hung up the phone.Meanwhile, she also reflected upon herself.Rosie had gotten old, yet Ivanka always made her worry. From that moment on, Ivanka would consider the consequences before making any decision. It was not only for the sake of herself, but the important people in her life, who also cared about her.As she contemplated this, Ivanka inevitably thought of the gathering. It would be quite fun.Before they were about to get off work, San
Coco practically ran out crying.Candice glanced at Ivanka worriedly and asked, “Will something bad happen to her?”Ivanka was not concerned at all. “What could possibly happen? She is an adult. Even if something bad happens, she has to bear the consequences of her own action.”Hearing that, Candice no longer fretted over the matter.She was not really worried about Coco. She was just afraid that something would happen to Coco, and Ivanka would be blamed for it.But Ivanka had made a good point. Candice did not want to trouble herself with Coco’s matters. It would only be an unnecessary emotional burden to her.Everyone in the office began discussing the progress of their project.Perhaps it was because Ivanka had made an example of Coco, the other employees became especially energized and diligent during their discussion.They were even more focused than before, since they were all afraid that Ivanka would treat them harshly as well.Hence, they were particularly efficient.
“Why don’t we leave now so that you can deal with this matter, Ms. Ivanka?”The director of the project department, who was perceptive and shrewd, planned to leave right then. Ivanka shook her head and signaled everyone to sit down.They were all uneasy, and they kept giving Coco weird looks.Two people had dared speak to Ivanka like that in the past—Ferris and Mandy.But those two were no longer with the company.At the thought of those people, the project department staff began looking at Coco with pity.However, Coco could not care less. All she wanted was to make a fuss.She wanted to see how shameless Ivanka could be.Unruffled, Ivanka stared at her. She did not get angry and seemed rather affable as she asked, “Tell me what upset you. Have we falsely accused you of something you didn’t do?”Before Coco said anything, Ivanka added cruelly, “Oh, I forgot that you aren’t familiar with the protocol here, so you have no idea what you did wrong, right?”Coco paled. Undoubte
Candice was momentarily stunned by his answer. She was a little offended.“Then why did you come to my office for this conversation?” Jimothy’s grin was mischievous. “To prove your company’s HR is blind, and you just lost a great talent. That’s all.”With that, Jimothy stood up, dusted off his sleeves dramatically, and turned to leave.“Your resume!” Candice called after him.Jimothy waved dismissively without looking back. “Keep it. Enjoy reading it. And don’t let an incompetent HR handle your interviews again.”Candice stood there for a moment and processed the scene before an involuntary chuckle escaped her lips. This one had personality.Regardless, the incident served as a wake-up call for Candice.It became glaringly clear that Coco was not only incompetent but also prone to overestimating her abilities.Before the task was assigned, she had the chance to decline. Candice had given her the opportunity and explicitly asked if she could handle it. Yet, Coco confidentl
The college student finally believed her and walked toward Candice.On the other hand, Coco seemed guilty and was desperate to prevent it. “He has no respect for our company! Are you really going to hire someone like him who won’t follow orders?” Coco’s tone was sharp. Her finger trembled as she pointed at the young man.She scanned the room for backup in hopes that the people who had been flattering her earlier would speak up in her defense.Unfortunately, no one stepped forward.Those who flattered Coco only did so out of respect for Ivanka. Yet Candice had a close relationship with Ivanka and was the company’s vice president.The gap between a vice president versus an intern was as vast as night and day.Anyone with common sense knew where to align themselves.Coco felt a mix of despair and resentment.Candice ignored her entirely. Why Ivanka was so wary of someone as clueless as this was beyond her comprehension.Coco was simply dumb.Without wasting another thought o
However, reality proved she had worried for nothing.Candice had called her over merely to ask if she had the most basic professional knowledge and whether she could handle the afternoon’s interview.Coco let out a deep sigh of relief before patting her chest confidently and assuring Candice she was more than capable.Knowing Coco came from the mountains, Candice was naturally skeptical, so she asked again, “Are you sure?”Coco thought to herself that it was just an interview. All she needed to do was just ask the candidates some questions. They could just choose someone who wrote the resume well.Not wanting to embarrass herself in front of Michael’s cousin, Coco pretended to be confident and accepted the task.Candice was half-doubtful, yet she still gave her instructions and let her go.However, Coco’s firm assurance eventually led to trouble....“Your company must be a joke to hire someone like you for HR. You’re offended? You’re not even a real professional. What? You ca
Word quickly spread within the HR department. After learning about Coco’s connection to Ivanka, some colleagues were vying to curry favor with her.Although some observant individuals noticed that the relationship between Coco and Ivanka was not as harmonious as it seemed, it did not deter the opportunists. Relentless flattery and attention poured in.One moment, a male coworker would offer to grab her food while placing his own lunch order. Next, a female coworker would ask if she wanted to order some coffee too.At first, Coco was caught off guard and politely declined. However, as she realized their intentions were purely self-serving, she began to accept their gestures without hesitation.By midday, Coco had become the department’s little queen. Ironically, as an intern, she should have been the one fetching coffee, running errands and collecting mail. Instead, she had colleagues practically lining up to do those tasks for her.Coco quickly assembled her own little e