In the second round of the competition, Michael was matched against Doska.When Doska heard the news, he was so thrilled he nearly jumped for joy.He stared at Michael with eyes filled with hostility. He was eager to begin.Michael, however, paid no mind.It was not just a match Doska had been waiting for. Michael had been anticipating it as well. It was time to settle some matters.As the referee announced the start of the match, both men prepared to enter the arena.Before Michael stepped onto the stage, Ivanka called out to him.“Be careful later.”Michael looked at her with puzzlement. “Don’t you trust me?”Ivanka rolled her eyes. “I’m telling you to be careful not to kill the guy. Mdm. Wright is still here, after all.”Hearing this, Michael glanced at the worried-looking Mdm. Wright sitting on the sidelines. He nodded to show he understood.When they went on stage, Doska’s voice dripped with jealousy as he said, “Ivanka is being so nice to you now. You’d better enjo
Although everyone was puzzled by the sudden change, they chose to comply.It also gave Michael a day to relax and recover.Hand in hand with Ivanka, they walked back home. They looked like a perfect pair, as if they were made for each other.Behind them, Anais’s eyes fixed on their backs. She silently made up her mind about something.Later that evening, Anais sought out Ivanka and Michael. Whatever she said to them remained unknown, but she stayed for quite some time before leaving late into the night.When she finally walked away, her steps were light. The gloom she had carried earlier seemed to have lifted entirely.The next day, all the finalists gathered as instructed in the village chief’s courtyard.The referee arrived late, only to tell everyone to stay put and wait. He promised to return shortly.However, as the hours passed, the referee never came back.Morning turned into evening, yet they were left waiting with no further instructions.During this time, three in
Could it really be a contest of who ate the most?The idea was absurd.As the crowd exchanged shocked and incredulous looks, Matthias snorted before explaining.“You all know that the Heroes Meeting changes every year, and this year is especially unique. This time, the champion of the Heroes Meeting will not only be granted a request of their choosing, but they will also marry my precious daughter and become the next village chief.”Michael’s heart skipped a beat. Even though he had been forewarned, the sheer bluntness of the arrangement still managed to shock him.“You all performed well, at least in the first two rounds. But in this final test, only one person stood out.” He pointed at Michael.Michael sat there with his back straight and unwavering under the scrutiny of the crowd. He seemed unfazed by being in the spotlight as if he were entirely accustomed to it.His calm demeanor, devoid of any noticeable reaction, only made Matthias feel more conflicted.“Why, Chief? What
Matthias snorted. “She’s nothing more than a dumb pretty girl.”“She’s not,” Michael retorted without hesitation. The quick rebuttal only deepened Matthias’s displeasure.After finally finding a promising candidate, discovering he was a lovestruck guy was hard to accept.Matthias tried both persuasion and coercion, reasoning and admonishment, but Michael refused to budge.Every time, Michael gave the same response.“I’m not good enough. I’m not worthy of Anais.”Matthias was so exasperated that his face turned red.Before Matthias could explode in anger, Michael fixed his gaze on him and spoke earnestly.“Before the finals, I knew this test would be different. Anais was the one who told me.”Hearing Anais’s name, Matthias’s demeanor softened immediately. His agitation faded.Had Anais tipped Michael off about today’s test?No, it could not be.For the sake of fairness, Matthias had not told anyone about the test. Even the referee had only learned about the true nature of
“Fine, fine.” He glanced at the couple standing before him, then at his daughter sobbing in his arms.Everyone in the village knew that Matthias doted on Anais more than anything else.In the end, he relented.“My health can hold out until the next Heroes Meeting. My precious daughter will wait for a true hero to marry,” Matthias said and patted Anais’s hand gently in reassurance.Anais nodded and signaled that she was okay.She had finally come to terms with everything.In the past, she had been highly pampered. She had been too willful while blinded by her own privilege and was unable to see herself clearly.Ivanka, on the other hand, was admirable. She was brave, intelligent, and kind-hearted.Anais had once witnessed Ivanka tending to an injured wild rabbit. It was at that moment she completely changed her view of her.Would someone who cared enough to save a wounded rabbit be a bad person?If Ivanka was not a bad person, then why had Anais felt the need to oppose her s
Ivanka and Michael ultimately failed to reach an agreement with Matthias.Anais tried to intercede, but she was taken away by Matthias before she could say anything further.Ivanka and Michael returned home together.Mdm. Wright had prepared a full table of food. Seeing them enter, she warmly greeted them, “Come, sit down and eat.”Noticing the expressions on their faces, she assumed they had not won the championship and chose not to bring up the subject.They could not enjoy the dinner, as each of them was lost in their own thoughts. After finishing, Mdm. Wright set down her spoon and offered some heartfelt advice. “Sometimes, letting things take their natural course is the best option. As long as you’ve tried your best, regardless of the outcome, you should have no regrets.”Michael and Ivanka understood her message. It was a reminder that some things simply could not be forced.However, how could they easily let it go when they were so close to their goal?Ivanka managed a
On the boat, there were also two young girls and a burly man.Ivanka recognized him as the village’s best swimmer and most skilled sailor.She guessed this arrangement must have been Michael’s doing.If Matthias had wanted to monitor her closely, he could have sent anyone along. There was no need to assign the village’s top sailor.The two young girls were the sailor’s children.When Ivanka woke up, they rushed over. They spoke in slightly broken English, “You’re awake! Are you okay?”The girls were clearly fond of Ivanka for no other reason than that she was beautiful.People were naturally drawn to beauty.Ivanka, unused to their concern, simply shook her head.“I’m fine. I just need a moment alone.”Though a little disappointed, the girls did not press her. They nodded. They respected her need for space and left the room.Ivanka’s hands trembled as she picked up the envelope. Inside was Michael’s handwriting, one she knew all too well.[I’m sorry for lying to you. By the
Who would have thought that Candice would actually agree to the arrangement?No matter how often Mandy made things difficult for her, Candice had pulled through and stayed in the company all this time.She had even barged into the meeting room.They could have kicked Candice out, but doing so would have made them look suspicious, as if they had something to hide.In truth, they did have something to hide.Ferris shot Candice an impatient glance. “Board meetings are scheduled according to our schedules, so what if we decide to hold the meeting sooner or later? Ms. Ivanka has already passed away. Naturally, it’s up to the living to run the company properly. Why are you against that? Do you think she would want to see Lane’s Group close down shortly after her death?”Seeing how self-righteous he was, Candice wanted to cuss him out.“All I know is that Ms. Ivanka would never want to see her company end up in your clutch because you’re a sc*mbag!”At that point, Ferris was truly enr
Egbert stormed off in fury, but Sandy’s rage had not cooled in the slightest. She even lashed out at Ivan. “You shouldn’t have stopped me just now! If I’d given him a good scolding, or even a beating, maybe it would’ve finally knocked some sense into him. Otherwise, he’ll keep coming back. He’s always trying to use me for his own purposes!”She was so angry she was practically grinding her teeth. Ivan pressed his lips together and let out a long sigh. “With the way you looked like you were ready to kill someone, what did you expect me to do? Just stand there and watch you commit murder?”He was really worried when he saw how Sandy was losing control. “What’s the point of that old b*stard still being alive anyway?” Sandy said coldly. If she could really get rid of that old man, she would do it so she could avenge her mother and let go of that grudge she had been holding on.Ivan shook his head and said in a low voice, “Then think about it, how hard did you work to get to where yo
Sandy exploded. “Eighty million? Why don’t you go rob a bank? Or better yet, see if that wrinkled old face of yours is worth anything as collateral!”Sandy was fuming.Egbert had not expected Sandy to be so vulgar. He turned back, enraged.His black eyes shot daggers like he could rip her apart on the spot. Sandy did not flinch. Instead, she lifted her chin and gave him a cold, mocking smile. “What? Are you so mad that you’re thinking about hitting me? Do you want me to remind you of the law? We have no legal ties anymore. If you so much as touch me, that’s assault. And let’s not forget, you barged into my workplace to cause a scene.”“Sandy, I don’t know what kind of twisted morals your birth mother and adoptive mother taught you, but just look at yourself now! Do you even resemble a proper human being?”Egbert was extremely disappointed in Sandy. The one thing Sandy hated most was when people brought up her birth mother and adoptive mother. Those two women were the most import
Egbert snapped at Sandy coldly. His gaze was pressing.However, that had no effect on Sandy. Her lips even curled into a mocking smile as she said, “I’m not one of your McNeil pets. That look, your words, they cannot intimidate me at all.”At the mention of “pets,” Egbert was so furious that he slammed his cane against the floor with a loud crack. “Listen to yourself! Is that any way for a lawyer to speak? Do you even understand the meaning of respect, decency, and manners? Is that how your mother raised you?”Sandy had been mean and harsh on purpose to kill whatever sliver of hope he held onto.Just as she wished, he was angered.Watching him lose his composure, Sandy even felt a flicker of satisfaction rise within her. Her mother and herself were thrown out and lived a tough life while her father stood by uselessly. Who else was to blame, if not this old man standing before her?“My mother raised me to be a decent person. She taught me never to push away what’s rightfully mine,
Thomas stated his purpose.Sandy’s reaction, however, was full of repulsion. She frowned. Even her tone was curt. “Uncle, I made it very clear about seeing him the last time we spoke. He never once considered me part of the McNeil family. If it weren’t for my mother taking me in, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now that I’ve grown up and suddenly seem useful, he wants to claim me back? I was abandoned by the McNeil family the moment I was born. I’m not stupid enough to become a pawn for your family!”Sandy was furious.She had always treated Thomas with a certain courtesy, but at the moment, that line had clearly been crossed.Thomas, though only the messenger, could feel the weight of her resentment. “It may not be as bad as you think. If you won’t go, Dad will come find you himself.”That was the truth. Yet Sandy did not spare the old man a shred of respect. She scoffed. “He might be your dad, your head of the family, but he’s nothing to me. From the moment I was abandoned, th
Sandy was really surprised to see Ivanka. “When did you get back?”“Today,” Ivanka answered honestly.“You have quite a packed schedule for just one day.” Sandy teased her.When they had planned to take down Coco last time, Ivanka was not around. Then Michael returned. From what Sandy could tell, they were always either together or closely following each other.Ivanka did not respond to her teasing. “I’ll only be here for a day or two, then I would have to leave again.”Sandy was speechless. She rolled her eyes at Ivanka. “Are you going to become a full-time jet setter?”“She can’t help it,” Anna answered for Ivanka. Just as she finished saying that, Anna’s phone rang. It was another case to follow up on. She had to step away to take the call.Only Ivanka and Sandy remained in the office. “You look exhausted. If you keep going like this, I’m worried you’ll wear yourself out!” Sandy shook her head and expressed her concern for Ivanka. Ivanka chuckled. “I wouldn’t go that fa
When she heard what Anna said, Ivanka immediately teased. “Why, can’t I even come to the firm?”“Well, of course, you can come. You are an important partner; why can’t you come?” Anna laughed and looked at Ivanka, annoyed. Immediately after, she made a cup of tea for Ivanka.The tea was also of fine quality. She had bought it.Ivanka also remembered how she, Anna, and Sandy, the three of them, used to work hard together in the firm after she divorced Michael. Originally, she wanted to live on her own. However, one thing happened after another, and her plans got delayed. “I don’t see Sandy. Has she gone to handle cases?” Ivanka sipped a mouthful of tea, and immediately after, she asked Anna about Sandy’s whereabouts.Anna told Ivanka truthfully. “Sandy recently took over a very tricky case. She wants to make a not-guilty defense for that person. But the father of the deceased is the Groethe family, a rather prestigious family in Bostone. How could a commoner fight with a rich ki
But as time went on, things happened one after another. While they were in contact with each other, she also slowly understood Jonah’s personality.The most important thing was that Jonah was also honest with her later on.When Jonah mentioned this again, Ivanka could not help but scrutinize Jonah again.He was starting to become unhinged!“Jonah, you need to stabilize your emotions. Sometimes, when you feel impatient, you should just close your eyes and take a good rest. You should not have such emotions.”Ivanka spoke solemnly toward Jonah and advised him. When he saw Ivanka’s serious expression, Jonah instantly also realized that he had lost himself.Ivanka was not like Chiara, who could accept him losing control. If he lost control in front of Ivanka, it would affect Ivanka’s mood. That would make him courting death too! This would put a halt to all his opportunities!Jonah also realized this problem. He was very distressed. He could not even explain why his emotions had
When Ivanka said this, she pressed her hand on Jonah’s shoulder. There was no other meaning, she wanted Jonah to calm down.But this instead gave Jonah an opportunity. He grabbed Ivanka’s wrist. Then he tugged forward forcefully… Ivanka was caught off guard, and her whole body fell on top of him.He then took advantage of the situation and held Ivanka in his arms.The faint scent entered his nose, Jonah was intoxicated for a moment.But at that moment, he felt like he was waking up from a dream.Ivanka could not be so intimate with him. The sensations of touch and warmth in front of him were so real again. It was not an illusion, it was his compulsion!After realizing this, Jonah hurriedly pushed Ivanka away. He even more quickly apologized to Ivanka. “Iv, I’m sorry. I lost control. I didn’t mean to…”“I know.”Ivanka uttered softly, but her tone was cold.She knew. Neither did she blame him. But why was she using that tone, with that look on her face?“No, Iv. you’re blami
“Jonah, I don’t like you. I told you, I only see you as a friend. When I’m unwilling to do something, no amount of moral coercion would work on me.”Ivanka spoke up bluntly. She did not want Jonah to cling to something impossible.Jonah was silent.This was where Jonah and Michael were different.“Look, you still have so many things to do. By the time you remember me, we have already missed the best time. This time when you leave, did Michael go with you?” Jonah raised his eyes to meet Ivanka’s. He wanted to hear Ivanka’s answer from her mouth.Ivanka did not reply. But the look in her eyes already said it all.Her silence confirmed it all.Jonah felt that his heart grow incredibly heavy at the moment. He had a crazy thought: Was it true that if Michael died, Ivanka would be able to focus all her attention on him?However, he was an invalid and did not even have a chance to get close!“The way you treat Michael and the way you treat me has always been so different. I know. A