The fake Fiona wondered which part of her story had gone wrong. But all that was no longer important. Ivanka shouted, “Run! Run outside and take cover on your left and right!” Right after she finished shouting, the fake Fiona and her group charged toward the door to run for their lives. Mr. George and his group snapped out of their dazes and quickly shot in the direction of the door. Ivanka felt the bullets grazed past her. Fortunately, Ivanka timed it well. The person carrying her was also fast, so they did not get shot. It was only later that Ivanka found out these people were policemen. It was no wonder they were so physically fit. Outside of the factory was filled with policemen. Mr. George knew this, so he did not come close to them. He yelled angrily. No matter how angry he was, he dared not run after them. He had no choice but to let some of them leave the factory before asking the rest to close the factory entrance. The policemen had set up a trap outside
When Ivanka woke up, she looked in confusion at the unfamiliar pure white ceiling.When she got a grip of her bearings, she sat up. By then, the person keeping watch by her side had probably watched over her the whole night as well. The movement woke him up. So, he sat up in a hurry, looked at Ivanka with concern, and asked, “You’re awake. Do you feel discomfort anywhere?” Ivanka shook her head and quickly nodded again. Michael was amused. “Where does it hurt?” Ivanka pointed to her stomach, a little embarrassed. Michael smiled and said, “You’ve been sleeping until noon since you returned late yesterday. It’s only right that you’re hungry.” He touched Ivanka’s head, and she stiffened for a moment. Michael felt it but did not say anything. He was just trying to get Ivanka used to his touch. “Wait here for a moment.” Ivanka nodded. So, Michael turned around and went to the open kitchen to make porridge. Ivanka was in the room. She could see Michael get busy fro
Ivanka did not ask and Michael did not say anything. A weird silence fell between the two.It was clear that they had just narrowly escaped a life-and-death situation, and yet they had suddenly become calm again.Ivanka did not understand why, and proud as she was, she would not ask.The air around them froze a little.An awkward atmosphere spreads among them. Michael seemed like he wanted to start a conversation several times, but he was cut off by Ivanka’s hums of agreement. At that exact moment, Sandy knocked on the door and walked in.The atmosphere in the room improved with the addition of a third person.Sandy walked in cautiously with her hands behind her back, as she sensed that the atmosphere between the two was a bit off.It was tense like arrows on drawn bows. Michael saw Sandy arrive and also made way for her to sit down.Sandy looked at Michael, whose chin stubble had grown out. For a moment, her heart went soft for him. “You go take a shower and clean up first
Only that was the most convincing reason. “It would have to be a deep-seated affair, wouldn’t it? To make someone as sensible as you loathe a savior you’ve never met,” Sandy said sourly. Michael may save Ivanka without caring about his own safety, but he had played a part in getting into trouble with Mr. George. But it was just a matter of getting the credit where it was due. Nothing to brag about. So Sandy still disapproved of the two being together. She remembered that Ivanka had said she did not like him before. Sandy was a bit angry. She said sarcastically, “You’re not jealous, are you?” At the door, Coco, who was about to enter, halted in her footsteps. There was a curious expression on her face. Ivanka frowned. She did not seem like she was joking. “You’re overthinking it. It’s not because of that.” When she saw that Ivanka was so serious, Sandy also sat down and peeled her apple while asking, “So what’s the reason?” Ivanka said, “I always felt that the wa
Sandy also saw that Coco was a pick-me. Although she had no idea how she was able to attach herself to Michael, she was definitely a pick-me. What kind of decent, nice girl would come up to someone and ask if she could live in their house with their ex-husband because she could leave him?Coco’s face went green and pale, she even spoke through clenched teeth. Ivanka was still chiming in. “In that case, call Michael now and tell him to move out with Ms. Coco. He’s lived here with me long enough anyway.” When Ivanka spoke, Sandy dutifully pulled out her cell phone to make a call.Coco quickly said, “Or… it’s better not!”Ivanka slightly raised her eyebrows and looked at her with a smile. “Why not? I’m really sorry, Ms. Coco. My house is small and can’t accommodate outsiders. Since you can’t part with Michael, you can go out and live together. You can also go back to the old mansion. When she heard how much Ivanka cared, Coco chuckled mockingly and did not answer.Sandy held
After a long time, he spoke. “About me and Coco, I’ll slowly explain everything to you when we return. The story is a bit complicated here.” Ivanka did not say anything, either. She just stared at Michael with a “so what, what does it have to do with me” expression on her face.He took a deep breath and prepared his mind. “She’s been kind to both of us, so can you… not ostracize her?”Ivanka was exasperated and laughed as she asked without answering, “Do you think I’ve ostracized her? What did she just say?”The air around them froze a bit as the two argued.Ivanka’s mood was not good, to say the least.“She said that she felt guilty about coming between our feelings. You also said that if she wanted to follow along and return with us, you would have to kick me out…” As he said this, Michael looked somewhat aggrieved and hurt as he asked back, “Is that so?”Ivanka met his gaze without backing down.“Do you think I’m someone like that?”Michael shook his head. “I know you’re n
After getting fully dressed, Ivanka came out of the bathroom.She had a bathrobe wrapped around her, covering her assets.Michael could not help but imagine what was under the bathrobe. He subconsciously gulped.“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. The door to your room was unlocked, so I pushed it and came in.” Michael knew that they were still giving each other the cold shoulder. He did not want to make it worse, so he started to explain himself.Ivanka glanced at him sideways and did not say anything, so Michael could not sense her current emotions.But one thing was for sure, Ivanka was not that angry.Otherwise, he probably would not have gotten through the door.However, the current stalemate, which left them feeling like strangers, was not a good sign. Michael decided to take the initiative to break the ice.“Are you free now? Come with me for a walk outside. We can’t have you continue misunderstanding me the whole time, can we?”Although Michael was smiling, it was a bitter s
If someone was in his way while asking him for help, he might even end their misery himself. So that alone made Ivanka believe that the fact Michael would go meddling was most uncommon.“Of course,” Michael said while looking fixedly at Ivanka’s side profile. “I’m willing to take her away because she took the initiative to suggest that she could impersonate Fiona.”Ivanka understood.So it was all for her?Michael looked at Ivanka, wanting to say something.Finally, as if determined, he asked, “So, are you still unhappy now?”Ivanka shook her head and said, with a serious look on her face, “I was never upset about you taking her away. I just…” Ivanka did not mention that she felt Coco was odd. Since it was just her assumption, she did not want to accuse prematurely. The conversation turned, and Ivanka said, “I just don’t like to be questioned and doubted. So, if you trust me, don’t come and question me.”Michael knew that she was talking about what happened before she left
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