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
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
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
Michael quickly realized he had crossed a line. He let out an awkward laugh and withdrew his hand.For a moment, there was an awkward silence in the air.“You…”“I…”Either neither of them spoke, or they ended up talking at the exact same time. It was an unintentional synchronicity that came from nowhere.Their eyes met, and they smiled.Michael spoke first. “You go ahead.”Ivanka shook her head. “No, you first.”Michael refused and insisted, “I don’t really have anything important to say. I was just trying to ease the awkwardness. Your matter is probably more important.”Hearing that, Ivanka did not hold back anymore and asked, “How long was I unconscious? What exactly happened that day at Fawn Hill? I only remember drowning. Everything after that is a blur. I didn’t even know Sandy was the one who saved me.”Michael sighed and started answering her questions one by one.“You were unconscious for three days and two nights. Candice and I took turns watching over you to make
If Coco was not there, did that mean the pulling sensation Ivanka had felt underwater was really her?Had Coco been lurking in the water?“Could it have been her?” Ivanka murmured to herself. Michael was puzzled. He could tell Ivanka was holding something back.“Who? Coco?” he asked.Staring at Michael’s concerned expression, Ivanka hesitated for a moment. It sounded absurd, but she did not want to keep it from him. So, she decided to share her suspicions.“You know I can swim. And that hot spring isn’t even that deep. It was around 1.8 meters at most. I’ve been diving in Geronia before, and that was far more dangerous than this.”Michael nodded in agreement. That was exactly what had been bothering him.Ever since Ivanka was brought to the hospital and remained unconscious for three days, he had struggled to understand. How could someone like Ivanka, who was a skilled swimmer, possibly drown?That was the very question he had wanted to ask.Ivanka continued. “That day, I stay
“There’s no need for thanks between us. Right now, the most urgent matter is figuring out if what happened to you was really just an accident.” Michael paused for a second. His gaze shifted to a distant point outside the window. When he spoke again, his voice was laced with an unmistakable edge of danger. “Or was it murder?”Ivanka felt a chill run through her.Murder. Yes, that was exactly what it was. What happened was a premeditated act that was aimed at her. However, Sandy was the one who ended up getting hurt. If… if Sandy never woke up, if she spent the rest of her life as nothing more than a body on a hospital bed, how was she supposed to live with that guilt? Seeing the dark cloud settling over Ivanka’s face, Michael took the initiative to shift the conversation. He brought up Coco to subtly redirect her focus.“Why did you ask me about Coco earlier? Do you suspect that she was the one who was lurking underwater?”Ivanka stared at Michael and nodded solemnly.Michael f
Ivanka did not rush Michael for a response.The ward fell into silence. She found the sensation unfamiliar.After a long pause, Michael finally spoke. “It’s not impossible.”Ivanka exhaled deeply as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders.Thank God. If Michael did not believe her, she would not have known what to do next.Patting her chest in relief, she sighed dramatically. “Good thing you’re a smart man.”Michael smirked. “Oh? So if I didn’t believe you, would that make me stupid?”Even at such a time, he was in the mood to joke. Ivanka shot Michael a glare before continuing.“When you checked the surveillance footage, did you look at the cameras over the water?”Michael was momentarily stunned before shaking his head. “I only checked the exit footage. It showed that before the incident, you were the only one who went in. After that, I was focused on the hospital and work, so I didn’t look any further.”From that angle, everything pointed to it being an acciden
“Sit down.”A familiar voice broke the silence. Ivanka stiffly turned around and saw Ivan.The once meticulously groomed man, who took great care about his appearance, looked utterly worn down. His eyelids drooped, his eyes were dull and lifeless. The only evidence he was still conscious was a slight, occasional stir. Dark circles weighed heavily beneath his eyes. The stubble on his chin had grown into an unkempt shadow, untouched by a razor.He looked like a completely different person from the Ivan she knew. He was clearly wrecked by worry and lack of sleep.Despite his frail appearance, his voice was steady and firm. That alone was enough to reassure Ivanka.At least Ivan had not pushed himself to the point of collapse. If two people ended up hurt because of her… She did not even want to imagine it.Candice helped Ivanka sit down while Ivan set down the things he was carrying and looked at her.Ivanka glanced at the items. There was a mix of toiletries and daily necessities.
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