Ivanka let out a cold snort. She did not bother looking at Mr. George.Mr. George, however, remained unfazed. “They discovered you were missing only after several hours. Do you really think they could move that fast?”He believed he had the upper hand when it came to speed.Yet, if they were determined to chase after her, they could simply find someone directly in the Middle East to do so.Ivanka’s lips curled with disdain.Mr. George noticed her expression. He spoke indifferently and coldly, “Well, a lion is no match for a tiger on its own mountain. No one in the Middle East would dare to provoke me.”Ivanka understood his point but did not press further.She would not starve herself, but her appetite was not large either.With much of the food still left, Ivanka pushed the unfinished portion to the side.Mr. George handed her a glass of water like a considerate gentleman.“If only we had started on a cooperative footing from the beginning,” he said, letting out a long sig
When Ivanka heard this, she was completely stunned.She could not believe it.But Mr. George was completely serious.Ivanka smiled and deliberately said, “If that’s the case, why don’t you prove your sincerity by completing ninety-nine tasks?”To her surprise, Mr. George agreed without hesitation. “Alright, name them.”The specifics were up to Ivanka to decide.Ivanka rolled her eyes. She did not want to waste any more breath on him.She said indifferently, “I haven’t thought it through yet. I’ll let you know when I do.”With that, Ivanka closed her eyes.Mr. George did not disturb her further.... Meanwhile, in Zeminia, Sandy had just woken up.She found herself tied to a chair with nylon ropes. A video camera was set up across from her.“You’ve got some nerve,” Sandy sneered coldly, her gaze sharp and intense.As soon as she spoke, a man walked up to her.He was wearing a mask. Before he could speak, Sandy scoffed, “What? Are you scared now? Weren’t you fearless e
She instantly felt a chill as her skin was exposed to the air.The men’s hot breaths and fingers made her nauseous.“Get off me!” she shouted angrily, but no one listened.Sandy felt despair.Tears of hopelessness blurred her vision. Just as she thought it was over, she heard a loud bang followed by a cold, menacing voice. “If you hurt her, I’ll tear you apart!”Soon after, a series of noises followed one after another.The men around Sandy dropped like dead weight.Sandy was overwhelmed with emotion.As Ivan approached her, he looked like a saint to her.“Ivan...” Sandy’s voice was hoarse.Ivan rushed to her side without hesitation. He took off his coat and draped it over her.Then, he pulled her into his arms.He held her tightly and said, “Sandy, I’m so sorry I’m late.”His voice was also hoarse and filled with guilt.Tears welled up in his eyes.“No, it’s okay. Thank you, Ivan.”If he had not shown up, she could have died right then and there.When it came to i
Ivan took Sandy to a nearby hotel.She was traumatized. When Ivan tried to set her down, she panicked. “No, don’t leave me alone!”Her voice trembled as she spoke.Ivan could not bear to leave her like this.He sat by the bed, holding Sandy on his lap and letting her lean against him completely.He did not dare to say anything, not wanting to upset Sandy further.Seeing how scared she was, he continued to hold her. But he was also worried about her feelings.“Sandy, why don’t you try to sleep for a while?” Ivan tentatively suggested.Worried she might overthink, he quickly added, “Don’t worry, I won’t leave. I’ll stay right here by your side.”“Mm.”Her tone remained unchanged. At that moment, she was relying on him completely. While it might seem like a good opportunity, Ivan would rather not have it this way. He just wanted Sandy to be okay.He knew how strong-willed Sandy was. After something like this, she probably would not talk to Ivanka about it.So, while patting
Ivan was over the moon when he found out Sandy had woken up.He brought flowers and her favorite food. He was determined to get closer to her and propose.Even if she turned him down, he would not give up.At that moment, how could he not be thrilled to hear Sandy say that she had also wanted to see him as soon as possible?Sandy nodded.Then she continued, “Yes, I was affected, but I’ve calmed down now. I can’t live under this shadow forever. As for the car accident, it’s time to fight back.”She had already gathered evidence against Coco. With Ivanka away handling other matters, it was time to deal with Coco first.As for those who tried to harm her, she knew brute force was not the solution. She had to take the legal route.Ivan felt a weight in his heart when he saw how calm and composed she was. Even though she was no longer scared after what had happened, he was still worried about her.“I know. Rest for a bit first. Once you’ve rested, we’ll handle these two matters t
Ivan took Sandy to the police station. After presenting the evidence, the police instantly went to Coco’s last known address. But they did not find her there. Meanwhile, Samuel had already untied Coco. Of course, he did this under her demands and after she blurted out the words, “Michael came to marry me. He wouldn’t want to see me end up in a mess and look like a clown. If you refuse to untie me or even mistreat me, I won’t remove Rosie’s spell!” Coco was extremely haughty. Yet, Samuel could not do anything to her. She was so desperate and eager to marry Michael. Since he was on the way back, she certainly would not run away. When the police called Coco, she immediately answered the call. “May I speak to Ms. Coco?” “Speaking.” Upon hearing the person on the other line’s cold inquiry, Coco could not help but feel puzzled. The next moment, the police revealed their identity. “Hello, Ms. Coco. I’m from the Bostone police station. We’ll need your cooperation in our
“How is it?” Ivan went up to Sandy and asked. Sandy’s chest visibly heaved up and down. “What else could it be? Michael’s grandmother is in a coma. Since that b*tch appeared, both Iv and I are greatly affected.” Sandy still looked dissatisfied. While speaking, she clenched her fists tightly. The veins on the back of her hands popped visibly. As a young lady, it took a lot for veins to protrude. It spoke volumes of her anger. Ivan patted her shoulders. “It’s pointless to remain angry. What matters most is to get rid of her.” “Didn’t the police just go through her profile? She’s from a minority tribe. She certainly knows how to perform witchcraft and bewitch people. If not, how do you explain the sudden change in Rosie’s attitude toward Iv and her hospitalization?” Sandy did not wish for Ivanka to get back together with Michael. But she still respected Rosie. Upon hearing Sandy’s words, Ivan did not know if he should laugh or cry. “I believe you must have been under the
“Young Master Michael, Coco isn’t around. Master Barkworth is accompanying Mdm. Barkworth in the hospital.” Michael’s expression was so cold and dark that the servants did not dare to meet his eyes. Michael said nothing else. He gave a glance at Evan. They easily located Coco with the help of GPS. Evan then had his men escort Coco back home.Initially, Coco was still puzzled and wondered who would want to take her back. It was not until she met Michael’s gaze, who looked as though he wanted to skin her alive, that she knew what was going on. “Aren’t you going to marry me upon your return this time?” Coco met Michael’s gaze and smirked. “Are you even worthy?” Michael narrowed his eyes and gave her a disdainful look. Coco knew Michael hated her so much that he wanted to skin her alive. She had expected all this the moment she started everything. She expected the way Michael would look at her and the way he would treat her. Coco tried to free herself, but Michael’s me
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