Although Theodore was unhappy, he said nothing. He sat before Ivanka and gave her a friendly smile. “Iv, why did you divorce Michael? Why didn’t you discuss it with me first? If you were having a hard time with your marriage, I could have helped you.” “Help me?” The news of her divorce was so sensational that everyone in the country and even around the world was aware of it. Theodore was also present at the banquet, so was there still a need to pass the message to him? Did he really need her to inform him about it? Theodore obviously did not want their relationship to turn completely sour. Otherwise, he would not have said such nice things and even invited her home. Ivanka guessed that there were two reasons for his actions. One, Theodore was worried about Rosie supporting Ivanka and refusing to give Chiara a chance. After all, Rosie was a powerful woman in the Barkworth family. Two, Ivanka was Iris. If he angered her, she would likely work with his competitors and bring
Theodore was a little stunned. This was an indisputable fact, so there was no harm in admitting it. He smiled and nodded. “Indeed, that’s true.” Everyone in the company was aware of this. Besides, Theodore had no reason to deny it. The contract had been in black and white, and they had signed it from the beginning. There was no denying it anymore. The company belonged to Theodore, so no one could steal it from him! Lyla and Chiara subconsciously turned to Ivanka. They thought to themselves. “Is she planning to reclaim the company? What a joke! Does she think she can take back the company whenever she wants? Does she think she’s God?” On second thought, she mentioned the contract. Ivanka was Iris. Could she have found loopholes in the contract? Chiara immediately panicked. Ivanka nodded. “Okay, if that’s the case, please return the shares to me. I can forgo the dividends earned over the last few years. You can treat my dividends as a reward for your hard work in managing the
Ivanka laughed internally. She was aware that Theodore did not want her to work in her best department. Even though she had voiced her desire to reclaim Lane’s Group, she knew that she could not immediately do it. After all, they had signed a contract. It would be difficult to persuade the old coot to return the company to her. Moreover, before Ivanka’s father passed away, he did not make a will. As Ivanka’s father’s eldest brother, Theodore had the right to inherit his company. Since she did not have a lot of company shares back then, she signed the contract without hesitation. Now, Ivanka wanted to reclaim not only her own shares but also the shares that belonged to Theodore and his family. She wanted to unmask them and kick them out of Lane’s Group! “Uncle Theodore, do continue.” Chiara and Lyla did not say a thing. At that moment, they naturally trusted Theodore. He must have his reasons for his actions. Theodore sighed before he said, “Iv, you’re aware that we ofte
The next moment, Theodore acted surprised and laughed. “That’s great! It’s good that you can stay!” Chiara looked extremely happy. “Iv, you’re finally willing to come back and stay with us!” She repeated the word, “finally” again. Ivanka was absolutely sure that they were recording their conversation. She was recording their conversation too, so she was not concerned even if they garbled and twisted her words. Ivanka nodded. “I didn’t come home previously because my father died here. I didn’t have the courage to face the place he used to live in. It’s been so long, and I can’t hide from it forever. I’ll stay in my dad’s room tonight. Uncle Theodore, did anyone move anything in my dad’s room?” “N-No. Everything is still the same!” Theodore had always been annoyed with her father’s room because that place was the master bedroom. Although Theodore and his family were the owners of the mansion, they could not sleep in that room due to the demands of morals. They had to sleep in
Theodore and his family grew increasingly excited as they chatted. They agreed with Theodore’s decision, and the corners of Chiara’s lips curled up slightly. “Ivanka thinks that she’s invincible simply because she’s an elite lawyer. Dad, I understand why you made such a decision. If you had refused to let her return to our home, she might end up working together with our competitors to stand against us. If she finds any loopholes in the contracts and helps them with their lawsuit, we’ll have to pay a huge sum as compensation. We might as well allow her to join the company so that we can keep an eye on her.” Theodore looked at Chiara in satisfaction. “Chiara, you’re as clever and capable as a man. I’ll be relieved to let you take over our family affairs in the future.” Lyla could not help but nod with amazement. “That’s right. Chiara, you’re really intelligent. We can rest assured when the time comes for you to take over Lane’s Group.” Chiara smiled. “The three of us should work t
“Got it.” Michael did not give Evan any further instructions, so Evan acknowledged his answer and left. ...... Thanks to her tireless efforts, Ivanka finally found a bottle of medicine inside the room. The bottle had no label. In fact, it had nothing on it. She opened it and saw a few white lozenge-shaped pills. She wondered, “What kind of medicine is this? Was Dad diagnosed with some kind of disease before? Did he keep it from me because he didn’t want me to worry about him?” Ivanka pursed her lips. She did not want to alert Theodore and his family, so she took two pills out of the medicine bottle before putting it back in its place. She could not find any more clues inside the room, so she eventually gave up searching for them. She then took a shower and slept in her father’s room. She did not sleep well that night. Just as she was about to drift off, she thought she saw her father inside the room. Ivanka woke up with a start and tried to call out to her father, b
Ivanka nodded and said nothing. She appeared to be at ease. Lyla placed the food on the table, and they ate together. Chiara cast a glance at Ivanka before she hesitantly said, “Iv, are you still angry with me because of that incident during Rosie’s birthday? Ivanka looked at her. “Why would I be? If I was angry with you, why would I come back and eat with you?” Chiara was speechless. Ivanka’s words were unyielding, and they left no room for discussion. As such, Chiara did not know what to say next! She drew a deep breath and said in resignation, “The incident isn’t what you think it is. I had no intentions of outdoing you with that gift. After all, we’re cousins. We don’t compete with each other, but those people deliberately drove a wedge between us. That’s why it turned into a misunderstanding. Iv, I didn’t buy the rosary as a gift. Someone else swapped it with my gift.” Ivanka was indifferent. They had already turned against each other, yet Chiara was still saying the
Chiara’s calm exterior cracked slightly. Theodore and Lyla both raised their heads one after the other. They had wanted to interrupt several times, but the opportunity never came.“What did she say?” Lyla wondered aloud.Ivanka smiled slightly as she looked at Chiara. “Grandma told me she still likes you very much, but you’re too much of a schemer. It’s not uncommon for you to plot against people in various situations. If at all possible, she would like to address you as her granddaughter-in-law. In spite of all the wrongs you have committed, you are still so adamant about maintaining your innocence and getting out of the situation scot-free. Even if you manage to prove that this had nothing to do with you, it doesn’t mean everyone is blind, right?Chiara’s demeanor shifted.She thought. “Ivanka is laying a trap!“She is aware that I am recording this conversation, so she purposefully used Grandma to scare me. I’m not going to be intimidated!”Just as she was about to release the
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