Mandy’s eyes gradually cleared. She looked at Ivanka incredulously and asked hesitantly. “What… What did you say? What does that mean?”Ivanka moved closer toward the glass and brought the distance between them closer. “You still don’t know, do you? Ferris will be released soon. Because of his wife.”Mandy was completely disheveled. She kept mumbling about how this was impossible.Ivanka’s voice was like a devil’s call that echoed in her ears. “I really feel sorry for you. You have clearly done the bad things together, yet you’re the only one who’s going to bear responsibility in the end.” There was not a single hint of mockery on Ivanka’s face. It seemed genuine. “It’s a pity… This would be about 8 to10 years of sentence. I don’t know if Mrs. Clark will use her connections. If she really utilized her contacts, you would be in there for 20 to 30 years, then she can get rid of you silently when you are almost out of prison. It can be done without anyone knowing.” Ivanka’s voice see
Ivanka raised her eyebrows in disbelief.“We’ll each take what we need. You fight for leniency, and I’ll help you with Mrs. Clark. As for your final outcome, it’s up to you.”Ivanka stood up and patted the dust off her body. “Think about it.” After saying that, she left with Michael.Leaving Mandy to fret over those photos alone.After leaving the visiting room, Ivanka ran right into Jolie.It could be a case of the world not being big enough.When Jolie saw Ivanka, her eyes flashed with scorn and resentment.No matter what, Ferris was still her husband. Not only did Ivanka send Ferris behind bars, but she also clearly wanted to intervene.Naturally, Jolie would not give her any grace.Ivanka was not afraid of her either and politely nodded toward her as a greeting.Then she took Michael with her and got ready to leave. Just then, Jolie’s line of sight also landed on Michael. She smiled coldly.No wonder. No wonder such a little girl managed to force Ferris into this situa
Ivanka nodded her head, it was not easy to send away that troublemaker Michael.Michael did not forget to “catch up” with Jolie when she left.“I wonder how Mdm. Clark has been doing recently. Grandma misses her. We will definitely pay a visit some other time.”Jolie understood the threat in Michael’s words. Her smile froze momentarily, then quickly returned to its natural state.“Then I’ll be waiting for you.”Michael did not say anything and left the police station.After watching Michael’s silhouette leave, Jolie said ignorantly. “Your relationship with Mr. Barkworth is pretty good.”To others, the two were divorced.Ivanka felt that her words were prickly. She felt uncomfortable when she heard this; it pierced her ears.She was not a pushover either and sneered back. “Not as good as your relationship with Mr. Clark.”Jolie’s smile froze all of a sudden.Why did she appear here today? All because Ferris kicked his mistress’s child.Ferris and his mistress were even locke
“As for husband and wife, if they have been separated for a long time, why do they have to suffer just to keep it up? Marriage is not something you do alone.”“Your words are very touching, but I do not agree.”Ivanka’s words had some truth in them.She wanted to persuade Jolie as well.Unfortunately, Jolie did not appreciate it and only felt that Ivanka was humiliating her. She was making her deepest heartfelt wounds public and then constantly rubbing salt into them.When she saw nothing worked on Ivanka, Jolie could no longer keep her composure.So Jolie put everything on the table too. She pushed the mocha away. “Ms. Ivanka, this is my family’s family issue. Did you have to come and get involved?”When she saw that Jolie was no longer acting anymore. Ivanka did not feel pressured to hold back anymore. She put down her cup and her eyes were filled with viciousness.“Mrs. Clark, getting to this position was not easy for me. I’ve always held a single belief all along the wa
Michael did not take long to send over the location.Ivanka glanced at it, confirmed the general location, and drove there.She arrived at the place. It was a shopping mall.Michael stood outside the mall waiting for her. He grinned once he saw Ivanka arrive.He attracted frequent glances from the surrounding people.Michael’s appearance was exceptional. While he waited outside for Ivanka, people kept staring at him. However, Michael looked cold and icy when he did not smile, which helped him prevent a lot of flirting.Of course, some girls were still brave enough to chase after their love and rushed up to ask for Michael’s contact information. They were sent back when Michael replied, “I already have a wife.” Others wanted to see what kind of beauty this handsome man’s partner was.After meeting Ivanka, only did they realize what a match made in heaven meant.The two of them were such a good match in both appearance and temperament. When she saw Michael Ivanka’s gloom fr
An unusual feeling lingered.Accepting this bouquet of roses felt like agreeing to Michael’s request. It was as if she had agreed to a date.Ivanka felt pressure on that thought.She said, “If these roses are given purely as a gesture of friendship, I’ll accept them. But Mr. Barkworth, if these mean something else, I’m afraid I must decline.”Ivanka was straightforward and honest.Until she had sorted out her feelings for him and whether or not to take their relationship further, she did not want to do anything that might cross boundaries or lead Michael on.A relationship that began in ambiguity would inevitably end the same way.She did not want that.Michael’s disappointment was evident, though fleeting. He chose not to dwell on it.Despite his slight sadness, he smiled calmly and said, “It’s a gift between friends. Please accept it without any worries.”Michael chose to change the subject.He said casually, “I bought movie tickets. Want to go together?”Ivanka, still ho
He looked genuinely content, so much so that Ivanka could not find the right words to say for a moment.“Actually, you don’t have to do this.”Michael was proud, accomplished, and always carried himself with an air of invincibility.Though he clearly did not know much about dating, not even his assistant Evan had any advice. So, in desperation, he had resorted to scouring the internet for date ideas.Ivanka saw through it, but she chose not to call him out.There was a certain warmth in being cared for and liked so earnestly, even if it was awkwardly executed.Still, she did not want the usually untouchable Michael to lose sight of himself in the process.Ivanka’s smile softened. Then the amusement in her expression slowly faded away.Ivanka took the plush toy from Michael’s hands and handed it to a nearby child who had been waiting impatiently for a turn at the claw machine. His eyes had been glued longingly to the toys inside.The child let out a joyful cheer upon receiving
The owner brought over a plate of freshly grilled barbecue.Everything looked delicious and tempting: cheese-stuffed mushrooms, grilled zucchini, roasted potatoes, lamb skewers, and bacon-wrapped shrimp.Ivanka handed the disposable cutleries to Michael.Michael hesitated for a moment before taking them. He glanced at Ivanka.She gestured toward the platter of barbecue. “Sandy and I found this little gem of a barbecue joint. Give it a try. It’s surprisingly clean for a place like this. There’s no greasy mess everywhere.”She had wiped the table earlier because she thought Michael might not be used to this kind of setting.Michael looked around and took in the surroundings. She was right.There were no drunk men shouting, clinking glasses, or overly loud, rowdy patrons.Nor was it coated in grease, with trash and leftovers strewn all over the floor.It was, surprisingly, quite tidy.Michael nodded. He picked up a piece of grilled lamb and placed it in his mouth.It was noth
Ivanka understood everything just by looking at Stella’s expression.The drinks and pastries had to be the problem. The weakness and fatigue people were experiencing must have come from consuming them. She tested them with a test strip right away.As expected, they had been poisoned.She had not eaten anything, so she was fine. But she was unsure about Vincenzo, so she checked on him immediately. Thankfully, he was unharmed.Stella let out a deep breath.Before she could say anything, Vincenzo scolded her. “You ran back here and left Njord alone? Hurry up and get back there!”“Yes, Boss!”Stella responded quickly and ran off.Ivanka was about to speak when Michael and Evan rushed in.Michael looked anxious and was breathing heavily.Just like Stella, he was panicking.“Come here. Let me check.” Ivanka nodded at him. She knew how stubborn he was.Michael pursed his lips together and hesitated.But Ivanka had already stepped forward and checked on him. His pulse was weakenin
Vincenzo immediately noticed Michael putting some distance between them.It was not out of fear but respect for Vincenzo’s status. After all, he was Ivanka’s only family.Ivanka walked straight to Vincenzo without sparing Michael a glance.Michael could only stand there and watch her leave.Back at their spot, Vincenzo remained silent. Ivanka, however, felt uneasy.She had only gone to the restroom and had not expected to run into Michael.After some thought, she decided to explain.“Uncle, I didn’t go looking for him.”“You don’t need to explain. Even if you did, that’s your choice. I’ve said what I needed to. The decision is yours.”His tone was calm, but to Ivanka, it sounded like he was upset.She wanted to say more, but Vincenzo spoke first. “Don’t blame yourself. I’m not angry. Once the banquet is over, take a few days to rest. Then we’ll head out.”“Alright.”Since he had already said that, there was nothing more to say.Caeser had hosted the banquet to trigger inte
Ivanka saw the grin on Michael’s face and immediately let go of his arm. Her expression darkened with displeasure.Michael looked like he was enjoying her frustration.“I’m not,” he denied at once, quickly adding, “I’m happy because you pulled me away. It shows you care.”Ivanka was speechless.She looked at his smiling face and shook her head. “I just didn’t want you getting into a fight with Mr. George right now. If something happened to you while I was there, I couldn’t just leave. And if I didn’t, that would make me responsible for you.”Michael frowned. “Do you really think I’m that useless?”He had fought Mr. George before and never even saw him as a threat. There was no way someone like that could take him down.“That’s not the point. Mr. George isn’t alone, but you are. This isn’t your territory, Michael. And don’t forget, the drug in your system hasn’t fully cleared, and your gunshot wound—”He cut her off before she could finish.“That injury was a long time ago. I’m
Ivanka had never revealed her identity as Violet Cress. How did Mr. George figure it out just from her treating Caeser?“Mr. Ali, I only gave Mr. Hicks a few herbal prescriptions. It was nothing special.”“Caeser has plenty of skilled doctors, yet none of them could fix his condition. You did so effortlessly. That says a lot. Anyone who can earn his trust must be exceptionally capable. Ms. Ivanka, the Ganoderma Nebula is not something just anyone can use properly, nor does everyone have your level of confidence.”At first, Mr. George had not suspected anything. But after learning about the legendary medical expert, Violet Cress, he started making connections. She was well known by reputation, yet no one had ever seen her face. He had looked into her background and found that she was probably not elderly.There was also the Ganoderma Nebula.So, he made an educated guess.Looking at Ivanka’s calm reaction, he was even more convinced. When he first mentioned it, there had been a fl
A teasing voice broke the moment, interrupting Ivanka and Michael.They turned to look.Standing before them was none other than Mr. George. It had been a while since they last saw him.Michael narrowed his eyes. He had not expected him to show up at Caeser’s banquet.“What? Didn’t learn your lesson last time?” His tone was cold and sharp.As he spoke, he stepped forward. He simultaneously shielded Ivanka behind him.They knew they were in Mirvania, and Vincenzo was nearby. No matter what Mr. George was planning, he would not dare make a move under Vincenzo’s watch.Still, Michael’s reaction was instinctive.“No hard feelings, right? Isn’t this how friendships start?” Mr. George replied indifferently. He stepped to the side and looked at Ivanka.“Friends?” Ivanka let out a sharp laugh. “Be honest, Mr. George. Do you really think we could ever be friends?”She had taken the Ganoderma Nebula. He had tried to steal it by sending his men. She had turned five of them against him a
Ivanka tried to step aside, but Michael blocked her path.The acrid smell of smoke hit her.She instinctively covered her nose and mouth.Michael saw her reaction and put out his cigarette.“If I talk through a third party and they can’t get my point across to my subordinates, wouldn’t it be better to handle it myself?”Ivanka frowned. “Is this really the time to talk about this?”She thought about pushing him away, but she decided against it.“I know it’s not. I also know you did all that to make me give up. But I won’t. It will just hurt.”His voice was hoarse and tinged with sorrow.He looked heartbroken.If this had been before, she might have felt bad for him. But at that moment, she felt nothing. She said calmly, “That’s your problem, not mine. If you want to keep getting knocked out and run around like this, be my guest.”She stepped forward and pulled out her phone.Michael knew exactly what she meant. If he kept blocking her way, she would call Njord, Stella, and t
“Alright, go back to the casino and wait for my order.”The fight between Tanya and Blake had revealed how fragile their relationship was. If Tanya thought the stranger she met at the party was reliable, she would try to leave Blake.She would have thought that she had gotten her freedom. But in fact, it was just another circle of hell awaiting her.By then, Tanya would suffer a worse fate than death.That was what Ivanka wanted to see.After all, Tanya had disguised herself as Ivanka and put a stain on her reputation for a time. Moreover, Tanya was still planning to come after her and Michael.Ivanka would not intervene in the feud between Tanya and Michael, but since she had run into Tanya at the party, she would like to settle the score between her and Tanya.“That’s your plan?”As Ivanka hung up, Vincent could not help frowning.He knew what she was up to when she had asked Njord to assign the job to a man.But the progress was too slow!Ivanka nodded with a smile. “Yeah
Tanya was not a fool.Seeing Tanya’s reaction, the man smiled calmly and said, “Seriously? He’s just your boyfriend. He can’t possibly stop you from making friends, right?”Tanya ignored him and kept walking.She reached a junction and took out her phone to book a ride. But the Hicks family’s mansion was on the hillside. Moreover, Caeser had contacted the Ministry of Transport to impose traffic control in the area. Apart from those who attended the party, no one else’s vehicle was allowed to enter.Seeing that there was not a single car around, Tanya had no choice but to walk down the hill.Blake had told her to get lost, so she would not go back to the mansion to ask for his help.She walked for about five minutes. High heels were not made for long-distance walks, and she was in a long evening gown. She held a little purse that contained her phone, lipstick, a small packet of tissues, and nothing else. Worse still, she could not tear off the long hem of her gown.Tanya had no c
What Blake said struck a chord with Tanya.Her expression was cold, and the look in her eyes was vicious.She did not even love Blake, so everything he did had nothing to do with her. She did not care if he was involved with other women.“Do you have anything else to say? I don’t think I need to be at this party for long.” Tanya averted her gaze so that she did not have to look Blake in the eye.She had made her point clear. If he did not need her around, she would take her leave for the night.Naturally, Blake knew what she meant to say.“Get lost then!”He yelled at Tanya right away. She did not even spare him a look before lifting the hem of her dress, turning around, and walking away.Blake’s voice was filled with disgust, hatred, and rage. But Tanya could not care less about how he felt.She had come to the party with Blake, who arranged their ride. The Hicks, who organized this party, had prepared a parking lot for the guests. There were cars arranged neatly across the p