Michael pressed his lips together and shot Ivan a glare. “Do you think Ivanka would leave with Sandy if I already won her back?”“So you haven’t? Seriously, what have you been doing all this time? You and Ivanka disappeared for such a long time and returned together, yet you still haven’t gotten her back?”Ivan stared at Michael in disbelief while Michael’s expression turned chillingly grim. There was a gloomy, foreboding air about him.Ivan immediately realized what he had done.He had touched a sore spot!Michael snapped back immediately. “Well, I hadn’t seen you for a while. Have you gotten together with Sandy yet?”Ivan was speechless.Michael rolled his eyes at him. Since Ivan had not gotten his girl, who gave him the right to mock Michael?Without saying another word, Michael started walking and left Ivan behind. Ivan caught up to him. “The ladies have left, but we can go grab a bite. I haven’t eaten, and we haven’t been hanging out lately. You should treat me to a meal,
Sandy did not oppose Ivanka dating anyone after establishing her career. If Jonah was not injured, Sandy would approve of their relationship given how much he cared about Ivanka.However, Jonah was currently in a wheelchair, and Margaret loathed Ivanka. As for Michael, it did not matter that his family all wanted him to remarry Ivanka.After all, Michael had been a jerk to her in the past.Ivanka shook her head. Meanwhile, the waiter came over to serve them coffee.He placed each cup in front of each customer.Ivanka lifted hers and took a small sip. Then she said, “When I came back, Grandma and Candice helped me stabilize the situation at the company. I’m grateful to them. I cleaned up Lane’s Group by taking care of Ferris and making an example of him so the other shareholders wouldn’t dare try anything funny. There’s also our collaboration with Sadler’s Group. It’s time to kickstart it.”If she had not fallen into the sea and ended up on the island, their companies would have s
Sandy was a little frustrated and helpless. “It’s impossible for us to get together. What sort of relationship do you think we have? Don’t assume that we will end up dating just because Ivan spewed some nonsense in front of you, Iv.”As she spoke, she felt amused and baffled at the same.Not only was Ivan shameless, but he also liked to say nonsensical things. Perhaps he had even told his close friends about Sandy when she still had not agreed to date him.He might have helped her before, but it would not develop into a relationship.With that in mind, Sandy cussed Ivan out internally.Meanwhile, Ivan and Michael found a restaurant. As they walked up to the door, Ivan suddenly sneezed a few times. He rubbed his nose and grumbled quietly, “How strange. I don’t have a cold. Why did I sneeze so much?”“Isn’t it obvious? You must have done something bad and offended some people. That’s why they cuss you out behind your back!” Michael said coldly beside him.His words alerted Ivan. I
Ivanka tugged at Sandy and stopped her from arguing with the man.Pulling Sandy over and putting herself between the two of them, Ivanka gave a courteous but mirthless smile.“It has been a while indeed, Mr. George.”The man who just touched Ivanka’s shoulder was none other than Mr. George.After Michael and Ivanka drove him away outside the supermarket, Mr. George had not shown up for a long time.Later on, things happened at Lane’s Group, and they ended up stranded on the island, so they did not run into Mr. George.Yet, Ivanka suddenly bumped into him at the cafe. Although she felt rather surprised, she was mostly vigilant. Mr. George responded with a smile. There was a chilling glint in his eyes.“This time, there aren’t any cops around, right? Ms. Lane?”Ivanka knew that he was referring to their previous encounter outside the supermarket.Who would have thought that this man would hold a grudge for something like that?Ivanka smiled and snapped back undauntedly. “You’
Ivanka had expected this. Her heart sank.She looked up at Mr. George and tried to negotiate with him.“I’ll go with you alone. My friend has nothing to do with what happened between us, and she doesn’t know you personally.”Behind Ivanka, Sandy squeezed her hand. Ivanka’s expression remained unchanged as if she had not felt the squeeze.Mr. George laughed heartily and pointed at Ivanka. “Well, you’re such a good friend. But unfortunately—” His tone suddenly switched. “Neither of you are allowed to leave!”He raised his voice and attracted the gazes of everyone around them. They all gave him weird looks like they were watching a freak show. However, when Mr. George met their eyes, they all looked away.Allegedly, people who had killed before would reek of death. There was a murderous air about them.Even though Ivanka was not intimidated, she still felt uneasy standing beside Mr. George.“So, there’s no room for negotiation?”Ivanka’s tone did not sound as courteous as befor
“Boss, is this the woman you told us about? Do you need me to teach her a lesson first?”A man with a scar on his face walked over and bumped his fist against his palm. He seemed ready to beat Ivanka up as soon as Mr. George gave his order.Ivanka did not doubt that the man would do this. There was a murderous look in her eyes.Mr. George immediately stopped the man and patted him on the chest.“Hey, don’t be so violent. These two ladies are my guests. Didn’t I teach you how to treat a guest?”With that, Mr. George gave Sandy what he thought was an amiable smile.Little did he know, it was horrifying.He gestured to the van. “Please get into the vehicle, madam.”His burly subordinates also returned to the vans and left just two men outside the vehicles with Ivanka and Sandy. The men urged them to get in.Ivanka started walking but halted in her tracks.The men behind her immediately looked at her vigilantly.Ivanka blinked innocently. “You two can get in first. I want to sit
But it did not matter much to Mr. George.Ivanka managed to fool the man, but before she sighed in relief, he took out two black gunny sacks and said with a ferocious smile, “Please put these on, ladies.”Ivanka glanced at the gunny sack and sighed internally.She could not avoid being treated like that.Therefore, she did not hesitate to accept her fate because it was pointless to hum and haw.Ivanka took one of the gunny sacks and put it on Sandy. She adjusted it to make sure that her friend could breathe properly.Then Ivanka took the other one and put it on herself.The man flashed her an odd smile and said nothing.Ivanka shut her eyes with unease.…Meanwhile, Michael and Ivan went to a French restaurant, and Ivan was ordering.As he flipped through the menu, he said he would order the most expensive items and bankrupt Michael.Michael did not even react or look up from his phone as he tapped on the screen. He was waiting for Ivanka to contact him.Soon enough, he re
On Ivanka’s side, the car drove for a while before stopping at an unknown location.Ivanka guessed they were in the countryside, likely near a factory. The sounds of honking cars from the city had been replaced by roosters crowing, dogs barking, and the hum of heavy machinery.Her hood was yanked off. The sudden light made her squint, and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. She narrowed her eyes and looked around. After a brief glance, she confirmed she was right. It was an abandoned factory.“Let’s go, Ms. Ivanka,” Mr. George called out from ahead. He signaled the people behind him to escort her and Sandy into the factory.Ivanka pulled her arm free from the hand trying to grab her. With a cold gaze, she said, “I can walk on my own.”“Well, will you look at that?” the man sneered. He pointed at her and smirked at the others around him. “She’s a feisty one. I wonder if she’ll be this feisty when pinned under me.”Ivanka frowned when she heard the crude joke and lewd laughter
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