Ivanka had a nagging feeling that something bad was about to happen.She told Michael about it, but he just shrugged and said, “Don’t overthink it. There’s no point in worrying right now. Just think of it as a vacation.”Ivanka did not argue further. She lowered her head and continued chopping the vegetables.A heavy atmosphere settled between them.These vegetables were picked a few days ago with Mdm. Wright. The wild greens here are delicious when served cold.Michael was chopping firewood nearby.He was quick to learn and picked up new skills easily.In just a few days, he was already doing it well.Each of them had their own tasks, and life was going well.To Ivanka, the only silver lining in this unfortunate situation was that Anais had not come to cause trouble again.In a way, it was nice to have some peace and quiet.Ivanka and Michael were even planning when they might steal the compass and make a run for it.However, someone oblivious had to show up.That morning
There was a commotion outside. Doska shouted into the yard with a thick accent, “Ivanka, I’ll definitely come back to marry you during the Heroes Meeting!”Then he screamed in pain.It seemed that Madam Wright had chased him off.When Madam Wright returned, she was muttering to herself. She was probably cursing Doska.Ivanka asked curiously, “Madam Wright, what is the Heroes Meeting?”Madam Wright hesitated. She looked uneasy and glanced at them before sighing. “Did you both hear that?”They did not answer, but their silence spoke for itself.Madam Wright muttered, “I told you Doska was a troublemaker. I told him not to come. Now look at what happened.”Her usually rosy face turned pale. It left Ivanka more confused.Michael was just as confused.Madam Wright sighed again. She looked at them seriously and asked, “Do you really want to know?”Michael looked at Ivanka, and she nodded.Madam Wright locked the yard gate and then walked toward the house.As she walked, she said
Mdm. Wright was so furious that she had a strong urge to drag Doska back and continue to give him a beating.“Outsiders can participate,” she explained. “There’s no rule against it.”Ivanka and Michael exchanged a glance. Without a word, they both knew what the other was thinking.If the Heroes Meeting was so important and meant so much to the village chief, they could use it to ask for the compass.Mdm. Wright hesitated momentarily before continuing, “This competition is meant to find brave warriors. Not only is it incredibly dangerous, but as outsiders, you’ll be targeted more aggressively, especially by Anais. She can’t compete by herself, but she has three older brothers.”Hearing this, they both understood how dangerous it would be for Michael to participate.The competition might allow outsiders, but it would not be fair and would put them at significant risk. It even seemed like a death trap, especially with Anais involved since she was the village chief’s daughter.It al
“We’ll both make it back, for sure,” Michael said as he looked at Ivanka. He was reassuring himself as well.Ivanka hesitated and wanted to say something but did not.Michael did not bring up the topic again.After that day, things settled into a routine. Anais and Doska seemed to disappear. Perhaps Mdm. Wright had kept them away.Either way, neither of them caused any more trouble.The two of them were content with the peace.They lived a simple life. During the day, they helped Mdm. Wright with the farm work. In the evenings, they went fishing. At night, they gathered around the campfire and told stories.The temperature difference between day and night was extreme. It was scorching hot during the day and freezing cold at night.The campfire was the only thing that kept the darkness and cold at bay.Sometimes Mdm. Wright told stories. Other times, Ivanka would share.They shared their experiences, things neither of them had ever experienced.Michael smiled warmly at Ivanka
They supposed they would not be able to see such a scenic starry sky again. The next day, Michael woke up early in the morning. He dressed up to attend the Heroes Meeting. But he could not open the door. Then, Mdm. Wright showed up in the compound. Her face was devoid of any expression. She looked very calm, and her tone was flat as she said, “Stop wasting your energy. I’ve locked the door. The key is with me.” With a frown, Ivanka turned to her. Her gaze was questioning. Mdm. Wright sighed. “I know you haven’t given up on it. You insist on attending the Heroes Meeting, but it’s too dangerous. Besides, our village’s fate depends on the Sonder fish. I can’t just sit there and watch you guys take it away from us. “The registration for the Heroes Meeting will end after noon. Until then, you’ll stay around with me.” Before this, Ivanka had thought of Mdm. Wright stopping them. But she did not expect Mdm. Wright to use such a forceful and extreme method to stop them. Ivanka’
After some time, Mdm. Wright turned around and entered the house. A hint of disappointment flashed across Ivanka’s eyes. Michael sensed her depression. He tightened his grasp to cheer her up wordlessly. Ivanka’s glum mood quickly faded. She had always been like that. She had experienced falls, suffered heartbreaks, and encountered hurdles when facing setbacks in life. But she always recovered from them. She carried so much burden on herself to the extent that she could hardly take a break. Michael admired her for that. At the same time, his heart ached for her. “Never mind. I’ll find other ways out. But our relationship with Mdm. Wright may end here,” Michael looked at Ivanka while comforting her in a whisper. Ivanka nodded and looked up at him. Her eyes sparkled, and she looked calm as if she was unaffected even the slightest bit. “It’s okay. We aren’t on the same path from the beginning, after all.” Michael knew that she was a little sad in spite of her sentence
Anais’s gaze was filled with obsession while staring at Michael. After not seeing him for a few days, he was still as good-looking as ever. No matter how calm and composed Anais was, her heart always skipped a beat whenever she saw him. Michael had gotten a bit tanned. This suited Anais’s preference even more. Anais stood next to the crowd and said indifferently, “I can help you with the registration.” The crowd turned in the direction of her voice and saw Anais staring at Michael and Ivanka calmly. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of teasing. Michael frowned. He subconsciously wanted to reject her. Anais’s gaze was unfriendly, especially when she rested her gaze on Ivanka. She looked as though she wanted to ask for some request in return. As Michael expected, Anais pointed at Ivanka and sneered, “But I have a request. I need her to stay by my side throughout the Heroes Meeting. She’ll be my follower.” Meanwhile, Rosie bailed Candice out of the police station. The mome
With that belief, Candice returned to Lane’s Group. Rosie suggested going with her, but Candice shook her head and rejected Rosie. Candice said, “Grandma, don’t worry. Just leave them to me. I can handle them. You can stay at home in peace.” After Candice finished her sentence, she smiled at Rosie and left. Rosie was worried, and she watched Candice until she disappeared at the end of the building. The driver turned around and comforted Rosie, “Mdm. Barkworth, don’t worry. Although Ms. Lane isn’t around the company, her prestige stays within. Candice won’t need to suffer much.” In spite of the driver’s comforting words, Rosie still frowned deeply. “I’m worried that the people’s hearts have changed,” Rosie murmured, as if both talking to herself and replying to the driver. As Rosie had expected, the moment Candice reached downstairs, she faced an issue. Candice was about to enter the inside of the building after passing the biometric facial recognition system, but the
“Alright, you may take the assassins away. I’ll wait for you outside your place,” Jonah said.“Alright.”With that, Ivanka took Njord and Stella away.On their way back to the hotel, they admitted their mistake. “Sorry, Ms. Lane, we’ve caused you trouble.”Not only did they fail to kill Jonah, but they got Ivanka into more trouble. It was all due to their incompetence. They had no one else to blame.However, Ivanka was not the only one who was affected. Jonah had ended up finding out about Vincent as well. For that reason, Njord and Stella deserved the worst punishment!Seeing how guilty they were, Ivanka felt bad too.They were only trying to help her.However, if they had targeted Jonah, did it mean that Michael was their target as well?As soon as Ivanka thought of that, she immediately asked them, “Were you planning to go after Michael, too?”Njord and Stella did not say a word. They basically admitted it in silence.Ivanka felt rather troubled. “Have you imagined what s
In response to Vincent, Ivanka replied honestly, “He’s my friend. Besides, he still hasn’t recovered.”Jonah ended up in a wheelchair because of her. She owed him her life, so she would never cut ties with him.“I’ll go pick them up.”Ivanka’s attitude annoyed Vincent, but he would never get angry at her and chastise her.But he also would not let her deal with Jonah on her own.However, Ivanka stepped up and stopped him. “I’ll pick them up, uncle. Jonah is more willing to speak to me.”“Do you think he’ll make things difficult for me?”Vincent raised his brows at the thought of her intention.Meanwhile, a mocking smile flashed across his face.Ivanka immediately shook her head. “No, I just don’t want anyone to judge you for your past and background. I’ll go alone.”With that, she turned and left.Ivanka quickly arrived at the Sadler family’s residence. When Jonah spotted her, he did not seem surprised. He knew that she would come over to pick the assassins up in person.
Vincent immediately frowned with confusion. But soon enough, a realization dawned on him.The man on the phone was Jonah!Njord and Stella would not assassinate just about anyone. Moreover, they were in Bostone to take care of Ivanka’s business.The only person who kept troubling her was Jonah!“You’d better let them go, Jonah Sadler.”Vincent pressed his lips together. There was a grim look on his face as he frowned.Sitting beside him, Ivanka heard him saying Jonah’s name and was instantly startled. Did Njord and Stella go after Jonah?Did they try to kill him? What was going on?“Why would I let them go? You sent them to kill me. But they failed and ended up getting caught. Since you want me dead, why would I let your subordinates live?” Jonah snorted coldly. There was a look of disdain and ferocity in his eyes.After all, he was a man whose influence and wealth rivaled Michael’s. If someone was after him, he would never back down without retaliating.Vincent said nothing
Njord had no choice but to keep explaining themselves to Jonah so that Jonah would not be suspicious of them.Meanwhile, Njord and Stella observed him secretly and hoped to find a chance to strike.But Jonah was not a fool.As Njord spoke, Jonah kept his eyes on him and Stella. These two looked even less like maintenance staff the longer he observed them, so Jonah remained doubtful.He signaled his men with a nod and a look. The bodyguards around him immediately tried to subdue Njord and Stella.Njord and Stella exchanged glances before striking at lightning speed. They wanted to take down Jonah in order to control his subordinates. However, the bodyguard who stood closest to him gave a kick and instantly parried both of their attacks.Other bodyguards quickly distracted them and drew them away from Jonah.Meanwhile, Jonah noticed that the two of them were skilled fighters. They had obviously gone through professional training!If the fight went on, his bodyguards would certain
Still, Ivanka made a show of reaching out to help Chiara up.Her tone, however, remained clear and unmoved. “Begging me won’t change anything. I’m not Jonah. If you’re going to plead with someone, it might as well be him.”“But he listens to you.” That was why she had to ask her to do it.Ivanka frowned. “Jonah isn’t some little pet I raised. He’s not going to do whatever I say. Melanie, you’re oversimplifying everything. You should really be focusing on how to lock down your next deal and solidify your footing in the Levine family. That’s what matters now. We should order something before a server walks in and sees you like this. That wouldn’t look good, don’t you think?”With that, Ivanka let go of her hand.Chiara had never intended to actually stay kneeling anyway, especially not after Ivanka reached out to help her up. The moment had played its part.She was not going to give up just yet.“Iv, could you at least bring it up to Jonah for me? I… There’s a show at Springvale
Seeing Ivanka about to leave, Chiara quickly got up to block her path.Ivanka smiled and said, “I don’t need anything from you. I really do have something to take care of, so let’s have the meal another time.”“But your schedule is always packed. If I want to see you again, it’ll be nearly impossible. Iv, didn’t you say we’re good friends? Are we not even close enough to share a simple meal?” Chiara drew in a breath. Her voice was laced with disappointmentHer eyes were already turning red.“Hmm, I noticed this cafe serves light meals too. Let’s just eat here.” Since she had not openly fallen out with Chiara yet, and Chiara was so insistent on putting on another act, walking out at that moment would only make her seem like a bad friend.“Iv, they only serve light meals here. I was hoping to treat you to a proper dinner. I... Actually, I was wondering if you could do me another favor?” Chiara asked tentatively.The fox finally showed her tail.No wonder she had laid it on so thic
Chiara lowered her head. “Iv, things have been really difficult for me in my family. Because of your introduction, I got the chance to meet Jonah. You talked about bringing a friend along last time, but neither of them ended up working with me. If I can’t land a deal soon, I’m afraid…”Her voice filled with hesitation, grievance, and sorrow. She sighed.“Aren’t you presenting yourself as Jonah’s fiancee these days?” Ivanka replied coldly. Seeing her act so meek and pitiful, Ivanka sneered.Since she was publicly claiming to be Jonah’s fiancee, surely the Levine family would not be treating her so poorly.“I am, but it’s all fake. And now that you’re back, do you really think Jonah would still let me keep playing as his fiancee?”The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she sounded. Tears even rolled down her cheeks.Ivanka only found the sight nauseating.Chiara’s acting had really reached a masterful level. Honestly, it was such a waste of talent that she was not in showbiz.“Ev
Jonah was the Sadler family’s primary heir.If he was incapable, how could he and Michael have made it onto the list of Bostone’s most sought-after elite bachelors?Hearing him say such things, Ivanka felt horrible.“Jonah, I’m really not as great as you think I am. With everything you have going for you, it’d be very easy for you to find a beauty who loves you. I’ve got things to take care of today. I have to go.” As she said that, she pushed Jonah away.If she kept talking to him like so, it would only make things worse. His emotions were already unstable. If he really did something reckless, it would become a scar neither of them could ever erase.She was set on leaving. Jonah had no way to stop her.He could only ask about her plans for the next day. “Will you be coming by around the same time?”“I’ll come in the afternoon.”Since she was back in Bostone, some matters at Lane’s Group needed her attention.At that point, there was no way she could ask Jonah to move in wit
Realizing Jonah was losing control, Ivanka quickly removed the medication from his body.Her voice was calm. “Jonah, your emotions are very unstable right now. You need to rest. I’ll carefully consider the next step of your treatment.”She turned to leave, but how could Jonah possibly let her go?The moment he reached out to grab her, Ivanka swiftly stepped aside.However, Jonah did not give up.In a moment of desperation, he pushed himself off the bed, only to crash to the floor with a heavy thud.The sound froze Ivanka in her tracks.When she turned around and saw Jonah on the floor, she rushed to his side. “Why would you do this to yourself, Jonah? Please calm down and think about it. Everything I’ve said to you is the truth. Even if we could get married without caring what they think, what about later? What about our future children? Would they have to grow up being treated differently too?”She had seen the end of her marriage to Michael long before it arrived. That was wh