Ivanka’s heart sank. She had expected such a question.She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, the confusion in her eyes was replaced by clarity.She turned to face Michael.Michael’s gaze was intense as he watched her. He held onto her hand tightly. He was afraid she would pull away if he loosened his grip.But she would not. Ivanka wanted to talk honestly with him too.He said, “Iv, you didn’t push me away. That means you don’t hate me, right? Maybe you still have feelings for me? Stop lying to yourself. Don’t hold back how you feel anymore. Okay?” His voice carried a mix of hope and nervousness. He worried she might say something that would shut him down.Ivanka lowered her gaze and said nothing.Michael saw this and continued, “I know I messed up before. But I’m asking for a chance to make it right. I want us to have a future together.”Ivanka turned to look at him. She did not look disgusted, which made Michael feel relieved.Their eyes locked.
Michael was happy to see the usually quick-witted Ivanka being speechless at that moment.He held her hand and walked toward the door. Ivanka tried to pull away a few times but failed. She sighed and let him take her.At the door, Evan’s jaw dropped when he saw Michael holding Ivanka’s hand. Michael looked pleased as they walked out of the room.If he remembered correctly, Ivanka had been cold toward Michael ever since their divorce and had even rejected him many times.Had Michael finally made Ivanka accept him?Evan could not help but admire him.Michael truly lived up to his reputation.Evan was still thinking about it as they walked downstairs when Michael shot him a sharp look.Evan was startled. Had he done something wrong?Just then, Ivanka spoke. “It’s getting late. Why don’t you all stay for dinner?”Evan finally understood why Michael had shot him that look.He was not going to let Ivanka cook for them. He certainly was not about to stay and interrupt their rom
Michael just smiled and did not argue. He thought that days like this were really nice.Although Ivanka still did not allow herself to become too close to him, she no longer pushed him away.It was a good sign.Michael was more confident that anything was possible with enough effort. He believed that if he kept trying, Ivanka would eventually accept him.Three days had passed since then.It was around 10 p.m., yet the office at Lane’s Group still had its lights on.Candice and her team were still there.Since Candice came to Boston for help, Ivanka had recognized her potential and offered her a position as a project team leader in her company.Candice proved herself capable. She secured a major client in no time and was busy preparing the report.Securing the client would significantly boost the company’s revenue for the year.Candice and her team had spent several late nights reviewing and revising proposals. She was often the last to leave the office.That night was no dif
Michael stayed around Ivanka like a pest. He fixed his gaze on her, but she ignored him. Meanwhile, on the other side of the line, Candice sneezed four or five times in a row. Ivanka asked if she had a cold. Candice rubbed her nose. “No. I have a feeling that someone is cursing me behind my back.” Ivanka chuckled before glancing at Michael. Both Ivanka and Candice had a hearty chat before Candice arrived at the rented house safely and soundly. She only felt relieved once she entered the house. After exchanging some pleasantries with Ivanka, Candice hung up. Inside the rented house, Candice’s heart was still beating fast. She somehow felt things were not as simple as they appeared to be. The next day, Ivanka went to work early in the morning. Michael insisted on sending her to work. Ivanka could not change his mind, so she gave in to him. Michael was reluctant to say goodbye when they arrived at the company entrance. The corners of Ivanka’s lips curved upward. She go
“Ms. Lane, I’m sorry to cause you trouble and involve a great deal of people for such a petty matter.” Michael gave a light smile. His voice was very charming. He bent down and looked at Ivanka from a subservient position. He sized her up before resting his gaze on her lips. He thought her lips were very beautiful. They looked rosy and delicate, even without lipstick. “Iv, I came from far away just to have lunch with you. You wouldn’t reject me, would you?” Although it was troublesome to send Ivanka lunch, it was a scheme to win her heart. Ivanka naturally could not turn him down. She took the lunchbox and saw it contained her favorite Bolognese pasta. It was still warm. Ivanka suddenly remembered something. She pushed Michael away and took her phone to call Candice. Michael read her mind. He raised one of his eyebrows and said, “I already had Evan give Candice her lunchbox. She’ll eat it inside the canteen so that she won’t disturb us. She already disturbed us last night
Right after Candice finished her sentence, she glanced at Michael. His expression was as dark as thunderclouds. She finally figured out why the temperature inside the office was so low. Candice felt a shiver down her spine. She put down the documents and left. Before she left, she flattered Michael to leave a good impression. She clung to the door and winked at Ivanka. “By the way, Michael brought me lunch. The food was delicious. Even though I only got to eat the food because of you, still, thank you very much.” Right after she spoke, she closed the door and left. Candice had always been calm and composed. It was rare to see her being so lively. Ivanka could not help but let out a bark of laughter. Michael’s mood improved upon hearing Candice’s words. He had not wasted his effort caring for her. The atmosphere inside the office became less tense. Meanwhile, right after Candice left the office with a smile, she bumped into the project director. Her smile instantly faded.
Ivanka heaved a sigh. “She’s in the same group as Ferris. I’m not very sure about their connections. She’s just a pretty woman with an empty head.” “A pretty woman with an empty head?” Michael sneered. “Why is your standard of beauty so low?” Ivanka laughed. Meanwhile, Candice returned to her workstation. Unbeknownst to her, a bouquet of flowers was on her desk. It was a bouquet of baby’s-breath flowers. It was her favorite flower. But she had just come to Bostone not long ago. Aside from Michael and Ivanka, not many people knew that baby’s-breath flowers were her favorite. She did not think it was them who gave her the bouquet. Candice took the bouquet of flowers skeptically. She searched around the flowers and found an anonymous greeting card. The words “I miss you” were stated on the card. Candice wondered who would miss her. It was simply an inexplicable statement. With a frown, Candice put the bouquet aside. She treated it as if it had been sent by mistake, but s
Rosie was over the moon, especially because Michael visited her with Ivanka after they went through so many hardships. But she was about to get an even more pleasant surprise. Rosie saw a silhouette show up behind Michael. She fixed her gaze on that person, and it was Candice. Rosie froze in place. Her eyes teared up. Candice walked over to Rosie and hugged her. “How many years have we not seen each other? When you were getting married, I was too weak and couldn’t board an airplane. That’s why I was absent from your wedding and had Iv to attend it on my behalf. Later, I learned that your fiance was a scoundrel.” Rosie sobbed. She had watched Candice grow up. Upon learning the news, Rosie’s heart ached for Candice. Candice patted Rosie’s shoulder to comfort her. “Grandma, it’s okay. The past is the past.” Rosie nodded. “What took you so long to visit me?” Rosie appeared angry on the surface, but her expression was filled with tenderness. She did not mean to blame Candice
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