Margaret had always wanted a daughter-in-law. Besides, the girl had to come from a wealthy family. Jonah had done so according to her will and took Chiara home, but Margaret refused to accept her. “I want a genuine couple relationship. What are you guys doing now?” Margaret’s expression was dark and cool. She took a step toward Jonah and did not even glance at Chiara. Chiara knew it was better to fall silent at that moment. Jonah said calmly, “We’re in a genuine relationship. She needs a husband. I need a wife. Would our union cast any doubt?” Melanie had just reunited with her family. Her family did not favor her, and she had to be hidden behind the scenes all the time. As for Jonah, he was a cripple who was bound to a wheelchair. He believed no one would object to the two of them getting together. On top of that, he was just using Chiara. “Indeed, no one will doubt your relationship. But I know what you’re thinking. I don’t mind the fact that you’re using her to stop
Smack!A divorce agreement was thrown before Ivanka Lane.“Your sister is awake. I’ve promised her that there won’t be another Mrs. Barkworth as long as she’s alive.“Ivanka, sign the papers. We’re getting a divorce.”Ivanka’s cousin had regained consciousness this month. Since then, Ivanka had known this day would come. Ivanka looked up and, her bitterness was clear. “You still don’t trust me even to this day, do you?”Michael Barkworth snorted. “You’ve been a materialistic woman from beginning to end. Why should I trust you?“Ivanka, I hate repeating myself. Just sign the papers. This mansion is yours, as a final show of respect!” A hint of mockery flashed in Ivanka’s eyes. She thought. “Hmph! Therefore, he thinks he is being merciful by sparing some of his assets for me in the divorce?”She took the divorce agreement and saw his signature at the end of it. Calmly, Ivanka asked, “Do you think Grandma will agree to this?”“Do you think that Grandma can provide you with en
“I can’t accept the case?” Ivanka sat down on a couch. Suki nodded with a sigh. Ivanka raised one of her eyebrows. “Tell me why.”“Because…”Suki told Ivanka about the case. Ivanka placed one of her hands on her left thigh. Her fingers twitched. Her brown eyes lit up. “That’s interesting. Who are the parties involved?”“It’s pointless even if you find them out…”Ivanka looked up and saw Suki falling silent.“Both parties are leading figures in the commercial arena. A lot of issues are involved in this case, hence both parties decided to turn against each other. Mr. Sadler requested your help, but his opponent is…” Suki heaved a sigh. “We’re losing an immense sum of commission,” said Suki heart-wrenchingly. “His opponent is your husband!”For a moment, Ivanka could not quite breathe calmly. Suki clutched her heart and said with difficulty, “It seems that this case is not meant for us. It’s torture to see such a large sum of money slip from our grasp.”Meanwhile, Ivanka played w
The man wore a black suit. He looked noble.The two sat opposite each other. He looked gentle as he spoke to Chiara.Ivanka smirked to herself. ‘What a coincidence!’Suki was puzzled. She turned toward in the direction where Ivanka was looking. Suki looked troubled when she saw the duo. “Why are they here too?!”Suki had spoken with so much agitation that Michael turned to look at them. His gaze turned razor-sharp when he saw Ivanka and Suki, and he thought. “No wonder she signed the papers without hesitation and even gave up the mansion. It looks like she’s trying to play hard to get.”Ivanka drew in a deep breath. She thought her next meeting with Michael would be on the day they registered their divorce at the City Hall. She did not expect to see him so much earlier in the restaurant.Ivanka met his gaze and turned away indifferently before dragging Suki to leave.Just then, they heard a voice calling in surprise, “Iv, there you are!”Ivanka turned around and saw Chiara. She
For a moment, Chiara held her cutlery even more tightly. Michael told her that he and Ivanka had gotten a divorce, but they had yet to collect their divorce certificate even though it had been so long!No way, Chiara must not let her efforts go in vain!She said solemnly, “Don’t do that. Why did you two decide to get a divorce so suddenly? Iv, there’s nothing between Mic and me. Why won’t you trust him? If you dislike seeing me around him, I will stop keeping in touch with him in the future.”As Chiara was speaking, she turned to Michael and said seriously, “Even if Iv wants to leave you, I shouldn’t stick my nose into your business and causing you two to split up. Mic, women are very easily pleased. Say some nice things to her, and she won’t ask for a divorce anymore.”Ivanka narrowed her eyes and thought. “She has such a way with words. She’s basically saying that it’s a shame to be dumped by a woman and that I’m throwing a tantrum and that I’d be scared if he really files for
The hostility in Michael’s eyes was so great that it looked like he was about to kill her with his gaze alone. He then left without a single word.Chiara’s lips curled upward. Her poise was one of elegance and regality.Unbothered, Ivanka looked away and continued the discussion with Flint.After the discussion was over, Ivanka called a cab.She touched her neck habitually, and her expression changed suddenly.Where did her necklace go?!“Sir, please turn around and go back to the Imperial Mansion.”She must have been in a hurry to leave and forgot to put it on.After an hour, Ivanka entered the mansion.The moment she entered the bedroom, Michael was already standing before her dresser. He was lost in his thoughts as he examined his watch.Ivanka was puzzled. Over the past three years of their marriage, he had never entered their bedroom. Today, he was looking at the watch that she once gave him. He used to despise the watch and threw it on the floor. Ivanka was the one wh
It took a little over an hour before Ivanka arrived at the Barkworth family’s mansion. She felt conflicted. As soon as they entered the mansion, they heard a cry of excitement. “Iv, my beloved granddaughter-in-law! Come and sit with me. I’ve been longing to see you day and night. Oh, you’re finally here!”Ivanka’s mask of calm cracked, and she could no longer hide the complicated emotions in her eyes. She forced a smile. “Grandma, I’m sorry. I’ve been busy—”Before she finished speaking, Rosie Johanson patted her hand gently and said softly, “Say no more. I know of all your troubles.”Ivanka instinctively looked at Rosie. In her puzzlement, she asked tentatively, “You… know everything?”That was impossible. If Grandma had known about their divorce, she would not talk to Ivanka in this manner.Michael also stared at Rosie in puzzlement.Rosie glared at Michael. Her heart ached for Ivanka as she spoke gently to her, “Yes, I know everything. Mic has absolutely stepped out of line.
Ivanka gave Michael a sarcastic smile. She knew that he must be thinking that she complained about him to Rosie.In the past, Ivanka had tried to avoid having Michael misunderstand her. But now… hah!Even if he misunderstood her, it no longer mattered to her.It was not as if it would do any harm to her.“What’re you staring at?! Iv is not the one who snitched on you. You’re the one who saunters to the hospital every single day and don’t even bother going home. Do you think I’m blind?!”Michael pursed his lips and remained silent.Rosia continued nagging at Michael throughout dinner and did not show him the slightest bit of mercy.Meanwhile, Ivanka was happy to see this. In fact, she felt as if she had vented her anger. Ivanka chatted with Rosie a little longer before she left the mansion with Michael.But this put Ivanka on the spot.Grandma was unaware that they had divorced, so she had to get into Michael’s car.However, she no longer wanted to have any sort of contact w
Margaret had always wanted a daughter-in-law. Besides, the girl had to come from a wealthy family. Jonah had done so according to her will and took Chiara home, but Margaret refused to accept her. “I want a genuine couple relationship. What are you guys doing now?” Margaret’s expression was dark and cool. She took a step toward Jonah and did not even glance at Chiara. Chiara knew it was better to fall silent at that moment. Jonah said calmly, “We’re in a genuine relationship. She needs a husband. I need a wife. Would our union cast any doubt?” Melanie had just reunited with her family. Her family did not favor her, and she had to be hidden behind the scenes all the time. As for Jonah, he was a cripple who was bound to a wheelchair. He believed no one would object to the two of them getting together. On top of that, he was just using Chiara. “Indeed, no one will doubt your relationship. But I know what you’re thinking. I don’t mind the fact that you’re using her to stop
Sandy pushed Ivan away. But she still held his flowers in her arms. It was a bouquet of pink roses. Pink was her favorite color. The bag he gave to her contained her favorite food. Ivan had put in extra effort. “Think about it carefully. I’ll come again tomorrow.” Right after Ivan finished his sentence, he turned around. Looking at his gifts, Sandy felt a surge of indescribable bitterness in her heart. She did not throw his gifts away. After all, Ivan gave them to her out of his kind gesture. Sandy carried the gifts back to the office. Anna instantly spotted her. Anna raised one of her eyebrows and chuckled. “Did Young Master Ivan give them to you?” Sandy only had Ivan as her male friend. She did not deny it. Nonetheless, Anna noticed Sandy’s dull expression. Anna hesitated first before asking, “Is there any problem between you and Ivan? You don’t look happy. Is your family objecting to your relationship with him?” Sandy and Ivan had always been a quarrelsome but lo
Sandy fell silent. She looked resigned and replied to Ivan honestly, “I can’t possibly allow you to pester me for the rest of my life. My family is urging me to get married soon. With you pestering me, I think I should marry somebody else to end all this once and for all.” “Do you think I would allow that to happen?” While saying this, Ivan took a step forward. His expression darkened. He exuded an intense sense of hostility like the most horrifying creature emerging from hell. Ivan’s murderous look seemed to state that he would go to the extent of stealing the bride at Sandy’s wedding ceremony if he was not the bridegroom that day. On top of that, he gave an impression as though Sandy would either be his bride or a ghost bride. Seeing Ivan in his current demeanor, Sandy did not know if she should laugh or cry. Prior to that, she was worried that Ivan was just using her. At that moment, she finally realized the disparity of status between them. Ivanka had always believed that m
In the past, Ivan did not understand the conflicts between his parents. He thought his mother had been so cruel that she cheated on his father and abandoned him. Later, Ivan learned his mother had not been the one at fault. So, a heartless sc*m like his father was not in the position to rebuke him. If not for his parents, Ivan would not have let himself go wild and had so many girlfriends. Reuben York sounded indifferent. He made himself clear by saying, “You should, at least, marry someone with a clean background and whose parents are still around so that they could assist you—” “Does that mean I need to accept an arranged marriage by you? I’m not your only child, you can instill your way of thinking on your other children!” Right after Ivan finished his sentence, he hung up. His expression turned dark. The next moment, he accelerated the speed of his car. He carried a bouquet of flowers and Sandy’s favorite food when he showed up in front of her. For a moment, Sandy was
Ivan had not lived with his mother for a long time. Meanwhile, Sandy was her adopted daughter and the direct heir to her estate. Legally, the necklace could be considered part of that inheritance.Following that logic, Ivan had no right to speak on the matter.But to him, Sandy was just an adopted daughter. He was the biological son. Their separation had been caused by a misunderstanding. Since the truth was out, it was only natural for him to take back his mother’s belongings.If things went to court, it would be a battle between them. Both had an equal claim.By blood, Ivan had an undeniable advantage.From the way he spoke, Sandy could hear his confidence and condescension. She knew exactly what he was implying. He was prepared to fight her for the inheritance. But things had not escalated to that point yet.Even if they did, she had no fear of going to court with him. In fact, she was ready to fight.“Ivan, Mom left it to me. She never said it was for you. Whatever happened
Sandy heard the same automated response as the one on Ivanka’s phone.Did that mean they had all left together?Realizing this, she did not press Candice further. Instead, she smiled casually. “It’s nothing. Get back to work. I’ll head out now.”As she turned to leave, she pulled out her phone and sent Ivanka a message.Sandy: Call me when you turn your phone back on. Just as she was about to get in her car, her uncle, Thomas, walked up to her.The moment he saw her, he frowned. “Still upset?”“Uncle, I don’t want to think or talk about it. If you’d been through what I have, you wouldn’t be trying to change my mind.”Addressing him as “Uncle” was Sandy’s way of maintaining politeness while creating emotional distance. She hoped Thomas would get the hint and back off.Thomas was caught off guard. He fell silent and was unsure how to respond.Before he could, Sandy got in her car.On her way out of the law firm, her phone rang. It was Ivan. “My baby, Sandy, where are you?”
Chiara’s tone was sharp. Her eyes darkened with determination.James noticed. So did Jonah.Jonah snapped out of his thoughts. Chiara was trying too hard to prove herself. It was clear she wanted to use him to elevate her own status.Fine. He would let her think she was winning only to watch her fall even harder.“They’re just regular people. They aren’t worth your energy,” Jonah said. “Let’s go home and see my mom first. Tomorrow, I’ll visit yours.” He had already made all the arrangements.Chiara had no objections.Even so, she sent Katiana a message.Katiana replied right away.Katiana: Since he’s coming, I’ll gather the whole family. You’ve finally brought some honor to us. Just do your part, and I’ll handle everything else.Chiara was not surprised that Katiana would invite the entire Levine family. As the second daughter of the Levine family, she had always been under scrutiny. Katiana had pinned all her hopes on her. Katiana wanted her to make a name for herself and sec
Eleanor narrowed her eyes coldly. Her patience was wearing thin. She never kept useless pawns. Until a job was done, no one slipped from her control.Chiara sensed the threat in her tone. Panic surged through her as she rushed to explain. “No, Boss. That’s not what I meant. I was just updating you on my progress. With Jonah, I can carry out your orders more efficiently. I would never betray you, I swear.”Her voice trembled. She was genuinely terrified.Her rewritten identity as the second daughter of the Levine family, along with her top-tier disguise skills, voice changer, and first-hand access to Ivanka’s plans, proved that the person backing her had serious influence.Crossing Eleanor meant sealing her fate.She had worked too hard to secure her new life. Even though she knew Jonah was using her, being connected to him still had value. If she died, everything she had done to secure her position would be for nothing.She refused to die.“Good. Get me results. Fast. I don’t ke
Michael’s piercing gaze stayed locked on Ivanka. He was determined to get an answer.Ivanka scoffed. “What’s on my mind? From the moment you divorced me for Chiara, I saw our relationship for what it really was. You never loved me. I had to force myself to let go. Why waste time holding on to something that was never mine? I refuse to wallow in bitterness and self-pity.”Michael looked like he wanted to speak, but Ivanka cut him off. “I told you, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Stop asking the same thing over and over. It’s pointless.”Without waiting for his response, she turned and called out, “Evan, is the food ready?”“Yes, it’s coming!”Evan had been listening the whole time. Even if Ivanka had not called for him, he had already planned to bring the food out to break the tension.Once the dishes were set on the table, Michael fell silent.Ivanka immediately noticed the meal had been tailored exactly to her tastes. From the private jet to the food, Michael had put t