With a complicated expression, he frowned slightly. Ivanka sat facing the tombstone, so she could not see him. Despite being some distance away, he could hear everything she said.Ivanka raised her hand and gently touched the man’s face in the photograph. Her heart was racing. “I should’ve listened to you, Dad. I shouldn’t have married him.”A short distance away, the man’s face darkened and his eyes narrowed. Fearing that he would shock her if he looked over, he quickly reined himself in. Now more than ever, he was curious to know her thoughts.Ivanka sighed softly. “You once told me that I had to marry the right person. Otherwise, it would be better not to get married. But I really liked him. Dad, did you know that? I liked him. I’m not even sure how many years I have liked him. I only recall being unable to forget him after meeting him as a child.”The man was taken aback and looked at her in shock. However, he laughed in his heart the next moment. Despite the fact that she had
After taking a step forward, he suddenly stopped with a complicated expression. He was perplexed as to why he had approached her rashly.It could be Ivanka’s scheme.She expected him to come here, so she paid a special visit to her father. She hoped to meet him by chance and have him hear these words so that he would be moved.Michael sneered. Ivanka was smart.“Dad, even though I live alone, you can rest assured. I believe I can live without a man. My life is going well. I’ve spent the last three years attempting to become a qualified Mrs. Barkworth. I abandoned my career and everything I enjoyed because I believed that was expected of a Mrs. Barkworth. However, I don’t have to give up on them anymore. Dad, I’ll be myself, just like what you told me. Being myself is the happiest thing.“Although I wasted three years on him, it’s still not too late. Dad, watch me become the brightest star in the sky. I will not disappoint you!”Ivanka leaned against the tombstone. Michael stood b
Frank was astounded. He was very familiar with his son.Frank surveyed Hanson’s confident demeanor in disbelief. “Who did you invite?”He fixed his gaze on Hanson, not wanting to miss even the slightest change of expression on his face.Hanson, on the other hand, simply smiled and said nothing. He laughed as he looked at his father’s expectant and complicated expression. “Dad, I’m not sure if we’ll be able to get a contract with the other party in this project, but we’re not going to lose the race.”Frank sneered right away. “How are you so certain we won’t lose? Which skilled racer did you invite to be so confident? Do you know that large corporations such as Barkworth’s Group and Sadler’s Group are attempting to invite Wisteria, and the prices they are offering are exorbitant? Wisteria will not consider accepting our invitation once she receives theirs.”Hanson simply smiled. “The astronomical price has nothing to do with us. Please trust me this time. I guarantee the biggest
He thought. “I must have been blind! Why did I marry such a flirtatious woman?“She had been in contact with other men even before our marriage. Did she never cheat on me in the past three years?“Hah!“To think that I was feeling a little guilty just now!”“Well, not today. Let us wait for the day when we succeed. Don’t worry. I’ll let you treat me for sure. I have to drive now, so we’ll talk later.”Michael could guess what Hanson said. He was enraged when he saw Ivanka smile after hanging up the phone.Ivanka sensed his intense glare and turned around. She was stunned when she saw Michael staring at her coldly.She thought. “Michael? Why is he here?”The man’s gaze was sharp, and Ivanka did not want to talk with him. She walked over to the car and was about to get in.Michael sneered. “Ivanka, why have I never thought you were such a loose woman in the past? You never stopped contacting Hanson over the past few years, right?”When he saw her red eyes, Michael’s expression
Michael’s coldness and warning stabbed Ivanka’s heart. However, she chuckled the next moment. “You know Grandma will find a way to make you go to the mansion if she asks me to go to the mansion. She wants us to reconcile. However, after visiting St. John Cathedral and listening to Pastor Paul’s advice, she will no longer force us to reconcile.”Michael immediately felt a knot in his heart.Ivanka put on a phony smile. “So, Mr. Barkworth, you don’t have to be concerned. I remember how kind Grandma is to me, so I won’t do anything to hurt her. You can rest assured, Mr. Barkworth. Grandma won’t force me to visit her, and I won’t step into the Barkworth family’s mansion unless I have no other choice.”The veins on Michael’s forehead popped out as he clenched his fist. The next moment, he shook off Ivanka’s arm. “You better keep your word!”Ivanka simply smiled and remained silent. She rounded the front of the car and climbed into the driver’s seat.She did not look at Michael. She fas
Sandy did not address Ivanka by name because she was aware that she was concealing her identity.However, her yelling drew a lot of attention. Everyone followed her gaze and saw a slim figure.She was indifferent and did not look around. She approached Sandy and the others as soon as she saw them.Frank glanced over subconsciously. When he realized it was a woman, he subconsciously looked at his son. Although he had no objections to his son having female friends, he did wonder why he had only female friends.Did he not have any male friends?It was outrageous!Frank’s expression darkened. However, no one noticed his emotion. After all, he had been in the business world for decades.Ivanka quickly approached and smiled at them. “You guys are early.”Ivanka looked different than usual because of her makeup, and Hanson was surprised. He had to admit that while Ivanka’s appearance had changed, her temperament had not. She was still noble and calm. People could not help but be drawn
Anna also took a seat. She chuckled as she looked at the two figures walking away. “He’s going to get his ear screamed off.”“Hahaha, that’s for sure.”Right then, Frank had dragged Hanson to an empty place with a dark expression. He did not hold back and scolded, “Are you insane?! Do you have any idea what you’re doing? I have spent so much effort to let you take over Jackson’s Group. I’d understand if you couldn’t find a good racer, but why did you invite some random woman? Hanson Jackson, is this the surprise you prepared for me?!”It was an unpleasant surprise! He was ashamed. How was he going to face the others in the future?Hanson had predicted his father’s reaction and simply smiled. “Dad, don’t you trust me?”Frank was stunned and did not know how to respond. He was unsure if inviting that woman was the right decision.Auto racing required proper etiquette and skill. Frank was skeptical that the woman could even drive a car, let alone a race car.Hanson let out a sigh.
Frank closed his eyes and calmed down. He should have faith in his son.He had no choice but to nod. “Let’s go. I hope you’re not lying to me.”His tone was one of helplessness. Hanson noticed Frank’s disappointment. He had already accepted their loss today.Hanson smiled but said nothing. He simply walked back with Frank.They sat down once they returned to their seats. Frank was not in a good mood, so he did not speak the whole time. However, he did not show it on his face.Hanson ignored Frank and continued chatting with Ivanka and the others. As usual, the four of them chatted happily. However, because Frank was nearby, they did not go overboard.As time passed, a black Rolls-Royce came to a slow stop, and Ivan quickly exited the vehicle. When he saw the crowd, he looked at the person getting out on the other side and smiled. “There are quite a lot of people today.”Michael frowned slightly in discomfort. He despised such a gathering.Ivan, on the other hand, was far too bo
Egbert stormed off in fury, but Sandy’s rage had not cooled in the slightest. She even lashed out at Ivan. “You shouldn’t have stopped me just now! If I’d given him a good scolding, or even a beating, maybe it would’ve finally knocked some sense into him. Otherwise, he’ll keep coming back. He’s always trying to use me for his own purposes!”She was so angry she was practically grinding her teeth. Ivan pressed his lips together and let out a long sigh. “With the way you looked like you were ready to kill someone, what did you expect me to do? Just stand there and watch you commit murder?”He was really worried when he saw how Sandy was losing control. “What’s the point of that old b*stard still being alive anyway?” Sandy said coldly. If she could really get rid of that old man, she would do it so she could avenge her mother and let go of that grudge she had been holding on.Ivan shook his head and said in a low voice, “Then think about it, how hard did you work to get to where yo
Sandy exploded. “Eighty million? Why don’t you go rob a bank? Or better yet, see if that wrinkled old face of yours is worth anything as collateral!”Sandy was fuming.Egbert had not expected Sandy to be so vulgar. He turned back, enraged.His black eyes shot daggers like he could rip her apart on the spot. Sandy did not flinch. Instead, she lifted her chin and gave him a cold, mocking smile. “What? Are you so mad that you’re thinking about hitting me? Do you want me to remind you of the law? We have no legal ties anymore. If you so much as touch me, that’s assault. And let’s not forget, you barged into my workplace to cause a scene.”“Sandy, I don’t know what kind of twisted morals your birth mother and adoptive mother taught you, but just look at yourself now! Do you even resemble a proper human being?”Egbert was extremely disappointed in Sandy. The one thing Sandy hated most was when people brought up her birth mother and adoptive mother. Those two women were the most import
Egbert snapped at Sandy coldly. His gaze was pressing.However, that had no effect on Sandy. Her lips even curled into a mocking smile as she said, “I’m not one of your McNeil pets. That look, your words, they cannot intimidate me at all.”At the mention of “pets,” Egbert was so furious that he slammed his cane against the floor with a loud crack. “Listen to yourself! Is that any way for a lawyer to speak? Do you even understand the meaning of respect, decency, and manners? Is that how your mother raised you?”Sandy had been mean and harsh on purpose to kill whatever sliver of hope he held onto.Just as she wished, he was angered.Watching him lose his composure, Sandy even felt a flicker of satisfaction rise within her. Her mother and herself were thrown out and lived a tough life while her father stood by uselessly. Who else was to blame, if not this old man standing before her?“My mother raised me to be a decent person. She taught me never to push away what’s rightfully mine,
Thomas stated his purpose.Sandy’s reaction, however, was full of repulsion. She frowned. Even her tone was curt. “Uncle, I made it very clear about seeing him the last time we spoke. He never once considered me part of the McNeil family. If it weren’t for my mother taking me in, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now that I’ve grown up and suddenly seem useful, he wants to claim me back? I was abandoned by the McNeil family the moment I was born. I’m not stupid enough to become a pawn for your family!”Sandy was furious.She had always treated Thomas with a certain courtesy, but at the moment, that line had clearly been crossed.Thomas, though only the messenger, could feel the weight of her resentment. “It may not be as bad as you think. If you won’t go, Dad will come find you himself.”That was the truth. Yet Sandy did not spare the old man a shred of respect. She scoffed. “He might be your dad, your head of the family, but he’s nothing to me. From the moment I was abandoned, th
Sandy was really surprised to see Ivanka. “When did you get back?”“Today,” Ivanka answered honestly.“You have quite a packed schedule for just one day.” Sandy teased her.When they had planned to take down Coco last time, Ivanka was not around. Then Michael returned. From what Sandy could tell, they were always either together or closely following each other.Ivanka did not respond to her teasing. “I’ll only be here for a day or two, then I would have to leave again.”Sandy was speechless. She rolled her eyes at Ivanka. “Are you going to become a full-time jet setter?”“She can’t help it,” Anna answered for Ivanka. Just as she finished saying that, Anna’s phone rang. It was another case to follow up on. She had to step away to take the call.Only Ivanka and Sandy remained in the office. “You look exhausted. If you keep going like this, I’m worried you’ll wear yourself out!” Sandy shook her head and expressed her concern for Ivanka. Ivanka chuckled. “I wouldn’t go that fa
When she heard what Anna said, Ivanka immediately teased. “Why, can’t I even come to the firm?”“Well, of course, you can come. You are an important partner; why can’t you come?” Anna laughed and looked at Ivanka, annoyed. Immediately after, she made a cup of tea for Ivanka.The tea was also of fine quality. She had bought it.Ivanka also remembered how she, Anna, and Sandy, the three of them, used to work hard together in the firm after she divorced Michael. Originally, she wanted to live on her own. However, one thing happened after another, and her plans got delayed. “I don’t see Sandy. Has she gone to handle cases?” Ivanka sipped a mouthful of tea, and immediately after, she asked Anna about Sandy’s whereabouts.Anna told Ivanka truthfully. “Sandy recently took over a very tricky case. She wants to make a not-guilty defense for that person. But the father of the deceased is the Groethe family, a rather prestigious family in Bostone. How could a commoner fight with a rich ki
But as time went on, things happened one after another. While they were in contact with each other, she also slowly understood Jonah’s personality.The most important thing was that Jonah was also honest with her later on.When Jonah mentioned this again, Ivanka could not help but scrutinize Jonah again.He was starting to become unhinged!“Jonah, you need to stabilize your emotions. Sometimes, when you feel impatient, you should just close your eyes and take a good rest. You should not have such emotions.”Ivanka spoke solemnly toward Jonah and advised him. When he saw Ivanka’s serious expression, Jonah instantly also realized that he had lost himself.Ivanka was not like Chiara, who could accept him losing control. If he lost control in front of Ivanka, it would affect Ivanka’s mood. That would make him courting death too! This would put a halt to all his opportunities!Jonah also realized this problem. He was very distressed. He could not even explain why his emotions had
When Ivanka said this, she pressed her hand on Jonah’s shoulder. There was no other meaning, she wanted Jonah to calm down.But this instead gave Jonah an opportunity. He grabbed Ivanka’s wrist. Then he tugged forward forcefully… Ivanka was caught off guard, and her whole body fell on top of him.He then took advantage of the situation and held Ivanka in his arms.The faint scent entered his nose, Jonah was intoxicated for a moment.But at that moment, he felt like he was waking up from a dream.Ivanka could not be so intimate with him. The sensations of touch and warmth in front of him were so real again. It was not an illusion, it was his compulsion!After realizing this, Jonah hurriedly pushed Ivanka away. He even more quickly apologized to Ivanka. “Iv, I’m sorry. I lost control. I didn’t mean to…”“I know.”Ivanka uttered softly, but her tone was cold.She knew. Neither did she blame him. But why was she using that tone, with that look on her face?“No, Iv. you’re blami
“Jonah, I don’t like you. I told you, I only see you as a friend. When I’m unwilling to do something, no amount of moral coercion would work on me.”Ivanka spoke up bluntly. She did not want Jonah to cling to something impossible.Jonah was silent.This was where Jonah and Michael were different.“Look, you still have so many things to do. By the time you remember me, we have already missed the best time. This time when you leave, did Michael go with you?” Jonah raised his eyes to meet Ivanka’s. He wanted to hear Ivanka’s answer from her mouth.Ivanka did not reply. But the look in her eyes already said it all.Her silence confirmed it all.Jonah felt that his heart grow incredibly heavy at the moment. He had a crazy thought: Was it true that if Michael died, Ivanka would be able to focus all her attention on him?However, he was an invalid and did not even have a chance to get close!“The way you treat Michael and the way you treat me has always been so different. I know. A