Just as Coco was feeling lost, her phone rang.The call was from an unfamiliar number. It was protected by international safeguards.She answered without hesitation.There was a faint static buzzing on the other end, but she could make out a woman’s voice.“Congratulations, Coco! You’ve managed to stay in the Barkworth family’s mansion. But surely you know it won’t last long, right? The Barkworth family has Rosie. She’s sharp enough to see through anything. Don’t you want to stay for good?” The woman’s tone was almost hypnotic.The caller seemed to know Coco’s situation in astonishing detail. It was as if she had conducted thorough research.Or perhaps there was an insider feeding her information.But none of that mattered to Coco at that moment.What mattered was figuring out how to stay.Coco did not respond immediately.She had no idea who this person was or what their intentions were. The amount of information she had on her made her wary. She needed to remain calm and av
After hanging up, Coco fiddled with her necklace. She hid the poisonous worm inside her necklace. Originally, she wanted to look for an opportunity to insert it into Michael’s body. That was why she was so concerned about whether Michael had been injured before. The poisonous worm was very fragile. But if it contacted any wounds and smelled blood, she would not need to put in extra effort to make it work. But getting close to Michael was still a problem. As the person had mentioned, perhaps she should target Rosie instead. Coco held her necklace tightly in her hand. It was more than just a necklace. It was a bargaining chip for her to take down Ivanka and more… The best time to execute the plan would be during lunch at noon. Ivanka, Michael and Candice were not around. Only Rosie was left in the house. No other time would work better than this! Coco dressed up and put on makeup. She did not conceal her pale look, nor did she put on lipstick. She wanted to show h
But Coco never tried to find out the reason why her boss, Ivanka disliked her. It was because Coco was overambitious, claimed all the credits, and was stupid. She only wanted to perform herself and ignored the company’s interests. Rosie was clear-headed and did not instantly point out Coco’s weaknesses. Rosie chuckled. “Since Lane’s Group doesn’t welcome you, what makes you think I’ll welcome you here?” Coco’s expression instantly changed. But she quickly kept her composure and resumed normalcy. She sucked in a deep breath and calmed herself before saying with a smile, “Mdm. Barkworth, you’re a devoted Christian, so am I. I believe we have some common topics to share. On top of that, Michael and Ivanka are seldom at home. If I stay around, I can accompany you so that you won’t feel bored. Besides…” Coco then looked down in embarrassment. “I still need to recuperate from my injury…” That was how it was. If Coco had not mentioned her ultimate motive, Rosie would have de
Coco gripped the cutlery very tightly. She swore to herself that Candice and her group would suffer on the day she inserted the poisonous worm into Rosie’s body. Meanwhile, Candice put down her cutlery and turned to Rosie. She said with a spoiled child-like tone, “Grandma, are you saying I’m a boring granddaughter and that I have failed to relieve your boredom?” Before Rosie could say anything, Candice continued, “When you asked me to return to the Barkworth family’s mansion, you mentioned that my presence could relieve your boredom. I didn’t expect you to despise me so soon.” Rosie chuckled and flicked Candice’s forehead. She said dotingly, “Candice, stop messing around here. Aren’t you aware of the rules that we shouldn’t speak while we’re eating? Ms. Coco is Michael’s wife’s savior. She has nowhere to stay for the time being. It’s only natural to give her temporary shelter. I never find your presence a nuisance.” Based on Rosie’s words, she looked like she was rebuking Can
Since the situation had finalized, it was not good to drive Coco away. Ivanka hoped Rosie could be extra cautious with her. “As I mentioned earlier, I’m not smoking without fire by saying Coco is different in the way she does things compared to others. I’ve investigated her and realized that she belongs to the witchery tribe. The witches are good at using poisonous worms to their advantage… Even newborns have to be immersed in a jar filled with poisonous snakes and scorpions for three days and three nights.” Of course, those were just hearsays. They did not know if Coco partook in such practices. But it was true that they disliked Coco at first glance. Hence, they needed to be wary of her. Candice nodded as a gesture that she would be cautious about the matter. “By the way, have you prepared all the things we need for tonight’s socialization?” asked Ivanka. Candice said with a grin, “Yes.” Ivanka stood up. She packed the things and was about to leave. While she was pack
Candice said in resignation, “Michael isn’t feeling well and needs you to attend to his health. At the same time, he’s worried that he might disturb your work. He knows you hate people interfering with your decisions. So how can he possibly get involved in it? It’s me who took the liberty to make the decision. You can blame it on me…” Candice’s words were partially true. Michael was not feeling well, but he never thought of using this as an excuse to interfere with Ivanka’s work. Upon hearing this, Ivanka frowned deeper. But she did not insist on going upon learning that Michael had a health issue. She reminded Candice not to force herself to drink. “Most importantly, you need to pay attention to your personal safety. Don’t get drunk. Remember to bring along guys from the project department to the event.” Candice smiled and made a sound of acknowledgment. After that, she left the office and got ready to depart. Jimothy found it strange when he noticed Candice left the com
It was impossible for Ivanka to carry him to his bed. Hence, the next best thing Ivanka could do was to carry him to the couch. It had not been easy for her to finally carry him to the couch, only for him to stir. The couch could hardly accommodate Michael. He easily rolled down from the couch. Ivanka had no choice but to sleep beside him for the time being. The couch was quite spacious. But after Michael laid down on it, the space became cramped. Ivanka placed her hands on her stomach. She could not simply move around. Or else, she would not have other space to lie down. Be it intentional or unintentional, whenever Ivanka laid down, Michael would wrap one of his arms around her shoulders and bring her into his arms. Ivanka was stunned. For a moment, she was unable to snap out of her daze. By the time she reacted to the situation, she tried to push him away. But Michael was very strong. He trapped Ivanka in his arms to the point that she could not move around. Ivanka s
“What happened to Ms. Lane? Is there anything I can help with?” asked Mr. Parker. He made it sound as if he was showing his concern on the surface. Truth was, he was seeking a satisfactory reason for Ivanka’s absence. He wondered where she went and why she was absent. He wondered if Ivanka looked down on him. Candice knew that Mr. Parker had been a soldier in the past. He was straightforward and regarded his dignity very highly. Thus, Candice knew she had to give a good reason. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to gain his trust. Candice said with a smile, “It’s about her private affairs. I heard that her boyfriend isn’t feeling well, so she needs to accompany him to the hospital.” Mr. Stein instantly gave up his dirty thoughts about Ivanka. He told Mr. Parker, “She’s not being disrespectful to you. It’s a real emergency.” As expected, Mr. Parker’s expression improved. Meanwhile, the employee who was in charge of the project started to give them a toast and went on with
Ivanka remained in a daze. She struggled to get to Sandy.Candice could not stop her at all. She did not dare to use force on her, either. She was conflicted. Just then, Michael walked over with a fruit basket. When he saw Ivanka wanting to get out of bed, he rushed over in a couple of steps and single-handedly pulled Ivanka back into the hospital bed.Ivanka was still struggling to get on the floor. When Candice saw Michael come, she breathed out a sigh of relief.Michael frowned and stared at Ivanka. “Do you want to die?” It was the first time he was so fierce to Ivanka.Ivanka was stunned silent for a moment as she looked at Michael. There was not much emotion in her eyes. Michael sighed and said in a soft voice, “I know you’re worried right now, but Sandy is already in the ICU. I’ve found the best doctors. Trust me, okay?”Michael saw that Ivanka was in a daze and unresponsive, so he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. “Don’t worry about everything and leave it
Water. Endless water.It was as if Ivanka was trapped inside a tank of water. Everywhere she looked and her eyes and body touched, there was water.She tried to find a way out, but could not.Slowly, her breath was taken away.Ivanka held her neck, desperately trying to breathe and failing.She could even count the seconds by.“Huff—”Ivanka opened her eyes suddenly, accompanied by a violent gasping sound. It sounded a bit like a drowning person who had been inside the sea by a wave and lapped ashore again. This was a person who had escaped by chance and was finally able to breathe fresh air. “You’re awake!”In her ears, a familiar voice rang out, and only then did Ivanka’s somewhat blurred vision begin to focus.A somewhat unfamiliar ceiling. Her nostrils filled with the unpleasant smell of disinfectant. Next to her was an anxious Candice.“I…” Ivanka tried to speak, but it was as if her voice was not her own. As soon as she opened her mouth, her voice was like porcelain s
After all, when they ate breakfast, Jimothy was not there. She thought he had left first.It was only at this time that she realized that he had not left, and was still standing right behind Candice. The look in his eyes when he looked at Candice was in no way innocent.Ivanka’s and Sandy’s gazes were sharp, so Jimothy smiled slightly at the two of them and nodded.Ivanka also nodded politely at him in return.Afterward, his eyes were glued to Candice again. The two of them would whisper from time to time as if no one else was there. So, they did seem a bit like a young couple.When Michael saw Ivanka look at someone else, he probably felt very irritated. Then he coughed twice.Ivanka gave Michael a strange look. Michael explained without batting an eye, “Sorry, I guess I have a bit of a cold.”Sandy could not help but start chatting with Ivanka.“I say, this Jimothy is interested in Candice.”Ivanka did not say anything and smiled.Obviously, she thought so too.The reason
None of the previous questions were the ones she wanted to ask. The one she really wanted to ask was the last one. Ivanka understood this clearly. After answering the previous question, Coco nodded with a look of realization. She took Ivanka’s hand and shook it in a friendly manner.If other people saw this, they might even think that they were sisters.“Ms. Iv, you still know the best, you’re also meticulous enough to remember all of this. It’s no wonder Grandma told me to learn more from you.”Ivanka was also smiling, but her smile was a little forced.Coco seemed like she was complimenting her. But in reality, it was a roundabout way of saying that she and Rosie had a good relationship.Although she knew that there was something fishy going on, Ivanka could not help but feel her skin crawl when Coco said this.When she saw the unnatural expression on Ivanka’s face, Coco knew that her purpose had been achieved, and she immediately asked, “Didn’t you say that you’re going to c
She could not explain it all in such a short moment. Then Coco was also eyeing the situation with a fierce and intense look. It was hard to say it out loud.Candice suddenly understood. The meal was somewhat silent. Ivanka especially felt very uncomfortable.She kept feeling like she was being stared at all the time, and such a stare made her feel very uncomfortable.Coco’s seemingly elusive eyes kept looking toward Ivanka, afraid that she would say something to Michael.Under Coco’s intense gaze, Ivanka could not find a chance to speak.They ate the meal in silence. Sandy and Ivan did not come until the end.In the end, it was Candice who spoke. Otherwise, the meal would probably have been spent in silence.“Why don’t we soak in a private bath after our nap? We can still make it back in the evening.”Ivanka nodded noncommittally.Michael looked at Ivanka and was a little surprised. “Didn’t you say you want to rest for a while longer? Why are you suddenly in such a hurry aga
Ivanka still felt that she should talk to Michael about this matter.The thought weighed her down with worry. After thinking about it, Ivanka still wanted to talk to Candice about this matter in advance.As soon as the call connected, Ivanka began to talk about this matter.At the door, Coco had wanted to come and return the cleanser. She stared at it with a wry smile. It contained some small gifts that she had carefully prepared. Although it was not so bad that Ivanka would be disfigured, it was good enough to make her unable to see anyone for a couple of weeks.Coco put away her smile. Her hand had just touched the doorknob when she heard a voice from inside.The door was of good quality, and the soundproofing was naturally good. So Coco could only hear some of it in bits and pieces.But it was what she heard that made her a little surprised and even more fearful.Vaguely, she could hear Ivanka say something about Grandma, something wrong, witches, and the like.Coco was ho
The next day, Ivanka woke up early.Probably because of the hot spring yesterday, she woke up refreshed today and did not sleep in.A glance at the time told her it was around 7 a.m.. She sent a message to the group and received plenty of responses. Ivanka: Does anyone want to go for breakfast together?[Me.][Me too.] … It seemed that everyone was up. Ivanka smiled. Soaking in the hot springs really did help improve blood circulation. The group agreed to meet in the lobby downstairs at 7:30 a.m.. Ivanka washed up first. After washing up, she called Rosie, mainly to talk about Coco. The phone rang for a while before it connected. Mrs. Ruth answered it, but she sounded a bit strange.Ivanka did not suspect anything amiss. “Mrs. Ruth, is Grandma awake? Let her answer the phone.” Mrs. Ruth sounded troubled. After a pause, she seemed ready to speak.Rosie’s voice came from the other end. In the next second, the phone sounded like it had been snatched away. “It’s me.
But Ivan did not have the heart to entertain her. His mind was filled with images of Sandy’s razor-sharp gaze at him when she left. As such, he felt absolutely annoyed. As the organizer of the event, Ivanka could not bear to watch the event fall into this state. Hence, she asked everyone to return to their rooms. “You can ask for a room service to deliver the meals to your doorstep. It’s late now. Take a good rest.” Ivanka forced herself to remain calm when she said that. After she finished her sentence, she yawned. With that, everyone left. Jimothy sent Candice home. Ivan and Michael left together. Meanwhile, Ivanka stayed around with Coco. After all, they stayed together. They did not talk to each other on the way. Michael deliberately walked behind Ivanka. He wanted to guard her until she returned to the hotel safely. Ivan whispered to him, “Have I done something wrong?” He mumbled to himself. Michael ignored him. They just kept walking. ... When they arriv
Ivanka turned to Michael and thanked him in a whisper. Then she gathered her clothes. While waiting for Ivan, the wind blew directly toward them, and it was really cold. Ivanka stared at Michael. He only wore a wool sweater, so she asked gently, “Aren’t you cold?” Michael shook his head. He pulled out a stool and sat beside Ivanka. When he pulled out the stool, it released a piercing sound. Michael looked at Ivanka apologetically. Her eyes had flown wide open. Sandy was about to fall asleep and woke up in a startle to the sound. She then looked at her watch. It was already 11:30 p.m.. They had already waited for 30 minutes. Ivan was a man. Did he need to take so long to get ready? He was not even a lady. There was no need for him to blow his hair dry. While Sandy seethed in anger, Ivan finally packed up and walked out. At that moment, Candice looked slightly awake. Jimothy was beside her, and he stared at her without blinking even once. Candice stroked her face. “Is