Candice fought back with all her strength. She punched, hit, and even bit down on Leonardo’s hand so hard that it tore off a chunk of flesh. She did everything she could to push him away.Leonardo must have been in extreme pain. He slapped her across the face so hard that her ears rang.He bound her hands together with a tie.Once she stopped struggling, he resumed trying to strip off her clothes.She pushed him away, but it was useless. He was too strong. It was a losing battle.Tears rolled down her cheeks as she closed her eyes.She tried to comfort herself by thinking that the pain would be like a dog bite.Just as Leonardo was about to pull off her pants, the door suddenly burst open.Candice heard a familiar voice. It sounded strong and commanding. “Only female officers go in! The rest of you stay outside!”Candice instantly recognized Ivanka’s voice. Relief surged through her.That sense of safety made her entire body relax. She knew Ivanka had come to save her. She
Everything was over. The one who took it the hardest was Mandy.She later discovered that the person who had reached out to her was Leonardo. She also learned about Candice’s kidnapping from Ferris.It appeared that Leonardo had initially planned to collaborate with Mandy. The real target, however, was likely Ivanka.Candice had only been a step in the process. Ivanka had always been the ultimate goal.Yet, before the plan could even begin, it was abruptly abandoned.Whenever Mandy thought about this, frustration consumed her.Suddenly, a bold idea came to her.Perhaps she could use this situation to her advantage.The next time Ferris visited her, Mandy prepared a lavish meal to entertain him.During the meal, she casually brought up the topic.“Ivanka might’ve kicked me out, but it’s obvious she wanted to use me to embarrass you. Looks like she’s trying to assert her dominance. Doesn’t this feel like another factional struggle to you?” Mandy said.She carefully studied Fer
Candice held out her hand and blocked them.“If you’re brave enough to talk behind someone’s back, at least have the guts to face them. Cowards.”The two employees trembled. They realized they were at fault and did not dare to argue. They could only apologize repeatedly. One of them even slapped her own face and said, “Sorry, Ms. Candice. I just ran my mouth. I won’t do it again.”Candice did not budge. She stared at them sharply and said coldly, “The company doesn’t need employees who gossip, especially those who spread rumors about middle management. Go to the finance department and settle your wages.”The two pleaded for mercy. The ones who had been so animated while gossiping were now dumbfounded.Who would have thought she would get caught gossiping just to fit in and lose her job?Candice did not linger. She walked away and left them to stare at each other in regretful silence.Less than an hour later, the whole company was buzzing about what had happened.Everyone was
But Ivanka was untouchable.There was no way to blame Candice either.Ferris had no choice but to storm off in anger.Although he was fuming, he still made sure to slam the door behind him when he left.Ivanka found it amusing.She did not ask Candice about the incident afterward and had no intention of doing so. Whether it was intentional or accidental, Candice had done nothing wrong.Ivanka still had that much control.In the end, the office gossip, which lasted only a few hours, was completely shut down.Mandy, on the other hand, was so furious when she found out that she nearly lost control. But it did not matter.All she could do was grit her teeth and swear, “One day, I’ll make Ivanka and Candice infamous. They won’t be able to hold their heads up again!”Ivanka had no idea about Mandy’s plan, nor did she care. It had no impact on her.If Ferris had been pulling the strings behind Mandy, Ivanka might have taken it more seriously. But that was in the past.In the futur
A salesperson saw Michael standing motionlessly in place. The salesperson took note of his outstanding appearance and knew he was a rich man at a single glance. Hence, the salesperson went over and promoted his products in a friendly manner. “Sir, are you looking for something for your girlfriend?” Michael originally wanted to clarify himself. On second thought, he shook his head and said, “I would like to buy something for my wife.” Upon hearing his sentence, the salesperson smiled. His eyes narrowed to crescents. “Your wife is truly a very lucky woman.” Michael said nothing. For a moment, the atmosphere became awkward. The salesperson had experienced plenty of things in life, so he was unbothered. He then began to promote his products. “Look at the daily products over here. I believe a couple needs these to improve their happiness and sense of belonging. Imagine seeing your wife lying on the bed when you wake up early in the morning, and the sun shines warmly on her face.
Ivanka nodded and returned to the dining hall.It did not take long before Michael carried a tray of food to the table. Ivanka was surprised to see a table of food. She looked up at Michael and asked skeptically, “Did you prepare all these? Are you sure they aren’t takeaway food?” Ivanka questioned Michael’s cooking skills, but he did not feel irritated. Instead, he answered her solemnly, “It looks like I’m receiving high praise from you, Ms. Lane.” They exchanged glances and smiled. “Eat the food now. I’m worried they don’t taste good anymore after all the repeated reheats.” Ivanka nodded and tasted the steak placed in front of her. She had to admit that Michael was quite skillful in cooking. The steak was cooked to the exact doneness. Ivanka was a picky eater. She rarely found something that tasted good to her. But the steak tasted very good indeed. The meat was not too hard. When she took a bite, the blood did not leak out from the meat. The meat was very fresh
In the darkness, Michael grabbed Ivanka’s hand and threw her into his arms. The next moment, he cradled her head and kissed her. Ivanka’s mind instantly went blank. Michael’s breath filled her nostrils. She opened her eyes. When she saw the familiar face, she fell into a trance. They were so close that the tips of their noses touched each other. The stubble on his chin stung Ivanka. It hurt slightly. It took a while for her to recover her senses and attempt to push Michael away. His chest was very warm. To be precise, it was hot. His chest was so hot that it could melt her. At the same time, she felt his muscular chest. Michael tightened his grasp with one hand on top of the other. He protected Ivanka’s head with his right hand and wrapped around her waist with his left hand. No matter how hard she tried to push him away, he never budged. None of them knew how long this had lasted. Michael gradually relaxed. Ivanka instantly pushed him away. She wiped her lips and
Ivanka lifted up her skirt in embarrassment and revealed her knees. Under the moonlight and partly because of her fair skin, her cheeks turned red. Michael grabbed Ivanka’s ankle with one hand. His hand was very warm. His entire body was very warm. Ivanka could not help but recall their kiss. She then pulled back her legs uncontrollably. Michael thought she was afraid of feeling pain. He looked amused and gave her a look. “Are you afraid of pain?” Ivanka shook her head. She had been through an even more painful experience than this. She was just not used to such intimate contact… Michael spoke to himself. “Right. How could you be afraid of feeling pain when you’re so heartless?” His sentence was a double entendre. Ivanka was merciless to others, but even more so to herself. Ivanka figured out what he meant. Her gaze turned still. “Let me help myself.” After she finished the sentence, she wanted to take the antiseptic. Michael avoided her hand. Ivanka sat on th
This must surely be what it meant by family ties were the strongest. Ivanka nodded. Her eyes stung. “It has indeed been a long time since I’ve seen you, Uncle. Why did you ask me here?” Nothing had changed in the casino. There were plenty of people by her uncle’s side. He seemed well and was in high spirits. Even that big Tibetan Mastiff wagged its tail and came up when it saw her. Throughout the whole trip here, Ivanka had thought about it and kept this matter at the forefront of her mind, yet she could not understand and was also anxious. “I can take you back this time because of your mom’s matter. I think there are some things you should know. Knowing will be better than your current situation. I can’t just watch you continue to be influenced by Michael,” Vincent said seriously. At first, Ivanka had said that she wanted to look into it. Also, she meant that there were still some things in Bostone that had not been dealt with. So, he had let her go back. Yet what happe
Regarding Michael’s previous scheme against Njord, he knew Njord was still angry with him. Therefore, when Njord cussed at Michael in front of the crowd, Michael decided to compromise the situation. But since Njord proposed to have a duel with him, he would not allow somebody else’s subordinate to flaunt by overwhelming him. On top of that, he would not allow anyone to look down on him like this. Njord refused to give up. He rose, then charged at Michael and attacked him. Since Michael was able to take him down in the first round, he was able to prevail against Njord again in the second round. As a result, Njord was knocked to the ground. He lost the energy to get up again. Meanwhile, Michael bent slightly in front of Njord. Michael looked down at him and smirked. “I know you’re very angry with me. But you’ve been working under Vincent for so many years, don’t you still get it?” That was, one had to create an opportunity. If one lacked the capital, no matter how great t
By the time Ivanka and Michael got off the plane at Mirvania, it was already 9 p.m. Before boarding the plane, Ivanka had WhatsApped Vincent. Therefore, the moment they got off the plane, Vincent had Njord to pick them up. They saw Njord immediately after getting off the plane. The moment Njord spotted Michael behind Ivanka, his expression instantly turned black. Njord recalled how Michael had schemed him before this. “Why are you coming with Ms. Lane? Ms. Lane, have you hired him as your bodyguard?” Njord cussed at Michael before asking Ivanka. Ivanka was aware of the grudges between Njord and Michael. But since Njord came with a group of people, Ivanka looked solemn and rebuked him, “He’s my friend. Njord, you can’t say that to him.” “Ms. Lane, if he’s truly your friend, I’ll naturally show him my respect. But the truth is, after being with you for such a long time at the casino, how can a person like him be considered your friend?” Njord said without hesitation when ment
“Got it.” Chiara behaved submissively in front of Jonah. Jonah swept her a cool glance and did not reply to her. Their meeting with Margaret had ended up unhappily. Little did they know that right after Chiara left, Laura came. Compared to Chiara, Laura, at least, genuinely loved Jonah, and Margaret knew it. In the past, Margaret did not entertain her. This time, she allowed Laura to enter the house. This gave Laura false hope. She asked, “Aunt Margaret, are you willing to accept me?” “To be frank with you, if not for the fact of Jonah’s current condition, I wouldn’t have accepted you. I’ve only allowed you to enter the house because I’ve some questions for you.” Margaret spoke without hesitation. Her tone was cold. Laura looked at Margaret in puzzlement. “Aunt Margaret, what do you want to ask me?” Laura’s gaze was filled with expectancy. Margaret pursed her lips. Then she said coolly, “You’ve fallen head over heels for Jonah, haven’t you? Since you love him, could
Margaret had always wanted a daughter-in-law. Besides, the girl had to come from a wealthy family. Jonah had done so according to her will and took Chiara home, but Margaret refused to accept her. “I want a genuine couple relationship. What are you guys doing now?” Margaret’s expression was dark and cool. She took a step toward Jonah and did not even glance at Chiara. Chiara knew it was better to fall silent at that moment. Jonah said calmly, “We’re in a genuine relationship. She needs a husband. I need a wife. Would our union cast any doubt?” Melanie had just reunited with her family. Her family did not favor her, and she had to be hidden behind the scenes all the time. As for Jonah, he was a cripple who was bound to a wheelchair. He believed no one would object to the two of them getting together. On top of that, he was just using Chiara. “Indeed, no one will doubt your relationship. But I know what you’re thinking. I don’t mind the fact that you’re using her to stop
Sandy pushed Ivan away. But she still held his flowers in her arms. It was a bouquet of pink roses. Pink was her favorite color. The bag he gave to her contained her favorite food. Ivan had put in extra effort. “Think about it carefully. I’ll come again tomorrow.” Right after Ivan finished his sentence, he turned around. Looking at his gifts, Sandy felt a surge of indescribable bitterness in her heart. She did not throw his gifts away. After all, Ivan gave them to her out of his kind gesture. Sandy carried the gifts back to the office. Anna instantly spotted her. Anna raised one of her eyebrows and chuckled. “Did Young Master Ivan give them to you?” Sandy only had Ivan as her male friend. She did not deny it. Nonetheless, Anna noticed Sandy’s dull expression. Anna hesitated first before asking, “Is there any problem between you and Ivan? You don’t look happy. Is your family objecting to your relationship with him?” Sandy and Ivan had always been a quarrelsome but lo
Sandy fell silent. She looked resigned and replied to Ivan honestly, “I can’t possibly allow you to pester me for the rest of my life. My family is urging me to get married soon. With you pestering me, I think I should marry somebody else to end all this once and for all.” “Do you think I would allow that to happen?” While saying this, Ivan took a step forward. His expression darkened. He exuded an intense sense of hostility like the most horrifying creature emerging from hell. Ivan’s murderous look seemed to state that he would go to the extent of stealing the bride at Sandy’s wedding ceremony if he was not the bridegroom that day. On top of that, he gave an impression as though Sandy would either be his bride or a ghost bride. Seeing Ivan in his current demeanor, Sandy did not know if she should laugh or cry. Prior to that, she was worried that Ivan was just using her. At that moment, she finally realized the disparity of status between them. Ivanka had always believed that m
In the past, Ivan did not understand the conflicts between his parents. He thought his mother had been so cruel that she cheated on his father and abandoned him. Later, Ivan learned his mother had not been the one at fault. So, a heartless sc*m like his father was not in the position to rebuke him. If not for his parents, Ivan would not have let himself go wild and had so many girlfriends. Reuben York sounded indifferent. He made himself clear by saying, “You should, at least, marry someone with a clean background and whose parents are still around so that they could assist you—” “Does that mean I need to accept an arranged marriage by you? I’m not your only child, you can instill your way of thinking on your other children!” Right after Ivan finished his sentence, he hung up. His expression turned dark. The next moment, he accelerated the speed of his car. He carried a bouquet of flowers and Sandy’s favorite food when he showed up in front of her. For a moment, Sandy was
Ivan had not lived with his mother for a long time. Meanwhile, Sandy was her adopted daughter and the direct heir to her estate. Legally, the necklace could be considered part of that inheritance.Following that logic, Ivan had no right to speak on the matter.But to him, Sandy was just an adopted daughter. He was the biological son. Their separation had been caused by a misunderstanding. Since the truth was out, it was only natural for him to take back his mother’s belongings.If things went to court, it would be a battle between them. Both had an equal claim.By blood, Ivan had an undeniable advantage.From the way he spoke, Sandy could hear his confidence and condescension. She knew exactly what he was implying. He was prepared to fight her for the inheritance. But things had not escalated to that point yet.Even if they did, she had no fear of going to court with him. In fact, she was ready to fight.“Ivan, Mom left it to me. She never said it was for you. Whatever happened