Ivan cleared his throat and asked, “You haven’t moved on? No way. No matter what, you’re divorced and have gone on your separate paths. She is free to do whatever she wants. We’ll simply react accordingly to her next moves. Besides, she’s just a woman. She has no one to rely on. What? Are you worried she would get the upper hand over you?” Michael snorted and thought. “A woman? This is the woman who threatened to make me lose tens of billions of dollars, and she delivered. Is that a small sum of money?” That just occurred to Ivan as well. He cleared his throat again and hurriedly said, “I let my guard down that time! Besides, I was about to file an appeal when you stopped me. Who knows? Maybe I will defeat her next time!” Michael set the spoon down. He only had a few bites of his food. Ivan immediately said, “You have a poor stomach. Now you are not eating anything. Do you want to die young? Also, wasting food is bad!” Ivan handed him another clean spoon as he said this. He mot
Jonah’s eyes narrowed. He had been expecting this. Frank, who had been nervous, burst out laughing! “As long as she beats the racer, it’s fine. It makes no difference if Michael is ahead of her.” No one would ever doubt his son again as long as she maintained such a ranking and order! The following ten people would compete in the final round! The top ten would be rewarded by the organizers, but big names like Michael and Ivanka did not care about any reward at all. Trophies and other mementos practically filled Ivanka’s apartment. Today’s race lasted longer than expected. Because it was the final game that would determine the winner, they decided not to postpone it until the next day. And, as everyone had predicted, the game began! In the last round, they had to race on an extremely challenging circuit. In addition, the rule was different from previous rounds, which required ten cars to start at the same time! The track was particularly wide. When the referee gave the s
The next moment, they got out of their cars at the same time. Ivanka did not spare Michael a glance. She just walked to her seat as usual. Other people’s results had nothing to do with her. Besides, she had seen that she tied with Michael. Just as she sat down, Sandy exclaimed with excitement. “Whoo-hoo! We won!” Ivan snorted when he heard it. “It’s obviously a tie. What makes you think you’ve won? Don’t embarrass yourself, okay?” Sandy rolled her eyes at him. “You’re the one embarrassing yourself!” Ivanka sat down without looking at Ivan. Ivan, however, could not help but stare at Ivanka and thought. “She has defeated me twice in two different fields. It’s insane! And Sandy always makes fun of me at every opportunity!” He wished he could smack Sandy across the face. Jonah was no longer interested in looking at the third-place finisher in the field. Instead, he focused his attention on Ivanka. He thought. “Wisteria. Why does this woman look so familiar? Have we ever m
Michael ignored him. Ivan leaned closer to him in a resigned manner and whispered, “Can you please take it easy? It’s absolutely freezing! Besides, do you want people to think you’re upset because you didn’t win?” Michael’s piercing gaze was drawn to Ivan’s face right away. Ivan immediately yielded and raised his hands. “Fine, fine. Forget I said that.” The ranking had been confirmed. The host continued to introduce the race winners and the awards that would be presented on stage. Ivanka looked at Hanson with a smile. “Hanson.” Michael also heard her voice, which she had deliberately altered. His face darkened as he thought. “She called his name with such affection.” Hanson looked at her. “Yes?” “Get someone else to receive the award. I’m going home.” There was no point in staying here. Besides, she did not want to be in the same place as Michael. She was not afraid of him; she just found him annoying. He entered the race because he wanted to win the project. Her enc
Ivanka nodded. “Sure. We’ll have fondue then. It’s been a long time since I’ve had it.” “Whoo-hoo!” Sandy appeared to be overjoyed. “It might be a tie today, but the score is absolutely perfect! Hanson, your problem is solved, right?” Hanson smiled and nodded. “That’s right. I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been able to take over the company if it hadn’t been for Iv. Thank you, Iv.” Ivanka was bothered by Hanson’s affectionate gaze. “We are friends,” she said with a smile, looking away. “This is the least I could do. There is no need to say such things to me again.” Hanson’s eyes flickered with disappointment. He could tell Iv was emphasizing the word “friends” in her tone. Even Anna and Sandy heard it. Anna’s eyes darkened slightly. She wondered if Hanson would be happier if Ivanka agreed to be with him. Sandy, too, sighed in resignation. She thought. “Iv hasn’t gotten over her last love affair.” Hanson smiled and said, “Okay. I got it.” He said nothing more after that. Th
Michael’s face stiffened for a split second. Ivan could not read the emotion in his eyes. Ivan let it pass. He said again, “Actually, it’s fine to have flings, but don’t get too serious with a woman. Or else…” As he said that, he snorted. He considered his father as an example, but he clearly did not want to bring it up. Michael frowned slightly. “Not everyone is like your dad.” “Seeing how my dad behaves kills off any desire for me to fall for any woman. All right. I’ll get off after the turn. I will see you again some other time.” Ivan appeared to be aloof. However, there was a tinge of bitterness in his eyes. Michael could not say anything about his affairs. After Ivan got out of the car, he leaned back in his chair and rested with his eyes closed. By now, it was completely dark, so Michael drove all the way back home. Michael entered the house as usual, but there was a faint fragrance in the living room. Michael frowned immediately. A fragrance like this would have
However, little did she know that the closer she got, the more overbearing the stench became. Michael’s expression hardened. He stood right in the doorway, without even attempting to change into his indoor shoes. When he saw Chiara approaching him, Michael instantly said in a deep voice, “Stay right there!” He thought. “What on earth is that smell on her? It’s awful!” Chiara would have trembled in rage if she could have heard him say this. However, she was still very flustered. She remained on the spot and stared at him incredulously. “I didn’t want to ruin your marriage with Iv in the past, Mic. I also tried my hardest to bring you two closer together. But you’ve now turned against each other. It’s never going to work between you two.” “But you know, I knew you earlier than Iv. I like you even more than she does. You said you’d marry me. Have you changed your mind?” Chiara let out a self-deprecating smile. “I guess it was one-sided. I will never misunderstand you again.”
Chiara thought. “Why? Everything was going well! How did things turn out this way? Why?” Chiara tried to remain calm, but she could hear a car driving away from outside. “Mic…” Her tears streamed down her cheeks unknowingly as she wondered how things had turned out this way. He had already divorced Ivanka. She had driven Ivanka away from Michael. She could not figure out how things would turn so wrong. Her plan had been for her to marry Michael as soon as they divorced, but things were not going as she had hoped. Michael is currently driving away. His expression was cold. All he could think about was what had happened today, the scene of Ivanka driving without even looking at him. He also recalled what she had said to her father the last time they met at the cemetery, and what she had said to him. He thought that she had completely changed. She no longer wanted him like she used to. He was supposed to be relieved that she was leaving him alone. However, she kept going a
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