Chiara curled her lips into a soft smile. “It’s nothing, really. I was just wondering if we could maybe explore a partnership. I’m in urgent need of bringing in more clients lately.”However, Michael’s response was ice-cold. “And what does that have to do with me?”It was not just the words, it was the look in his eyes.Chiara could not help but be struck by the contrast in the past. This was not the man who used to put her first, who once cared so much about everything involving her. It all changed after his marriage and divorce from Ivanka. The more hidden identities Ivanka revealed about herself, the more Michael seemed drawn to her. Chiara was left with no other choice but to fake her suicide just to make the world remember her, especially Michael.But what had her “death” brought her?Michael and Ivanka had only grown closer. However, they had not remarried. Ivanka continued to insist she did not want to repeat the past.Still, she was surrounded by so many men. At the
“We’re here,” Michael said coolly. However, he did not move to get out of the car. Instead, he quietly watched Chiara’s expression through the rearview mirror.Looking at the familiar restaurant, a wave of emotions stirred within Chiara.Her health had always been fragile. Michael used to remember her preferences. He had brought her here more than once. He used to come here often himself. Ever since her supposed “death,” though, she had never stepped foot into this place again.She had not expected him to bring her here, but her momentary sentimentality was quickly tucked away by her own will.“I’ve heard of this place. The food’s supposed to be good.” She unclipped her seatbelt without rushing to get out.Only when Michael removed his seatbelt and stepped out did she finally follow his lead.He had reserved a window seat on the second floor.That was his usual choice.However, it was originally Ivanka’s. Their habits had become the same.Even if she could not end up with Mi
Sandy’s lips curled into a sneer. “If that’s the case, why did you pull me away? You saw another woman next to Michael, and you…”“You and Iv don’t think Michael’s serious about getting back together, right? So if he’s already seeing someone else, then maybe it’s…”“A good thing?”They took turns interrupting each other. Sandy frowned. Her expression darkened further and turned sour.“That’s not what I meant,” Ivan quickly clarified when he saw her expression.Sandy’s brows knitted tighter. “Then what do you mean, exactly? Another woman shows up, and you think it’ll piss Iv off, and that means she still cares? Ivan, let me tell you something. I’m mad because Michael keeps talking about wanting to marry Iv again, about wanting to make it up to her for what he did to her because of Melanie!”“What about Melanie?” Ivan was clearly confused by Sandy’s growing rage.But instead of answering right away, Sandy suddenly calmed down and gave him a sharp look.Ivan grew even more curious
“Then let’s just leave it at that. I’ve said my piece. What happens next is up to Michael. If he really regrets what he did and manages to win Iv back, of course I’ll wish them well. But if he’s still the same as before, I absolutely won’t support them getting back together.”Sandy spoke with conviction. The look in her eyes was just as firm.“Got it.”Ivan nodded in agreement and said nothing more....At the restaurant, Michael handed the menu to Chiara. She saw a few of her favorite dishes and naturally wanted to order them.However, to outsiders, she was just Melanie from the countryside.She placed the menu back in front of Michael. “Mr. Barkworth, I’m not very familiar with the food around here. Why don’t you order for us?”“Ms. Levine, you’ve been in Bostone for quite some time now. If you’re still uncomfortable with something as basic as this, how am I supposed to believe you can bring me real value at work?” Michael flipped through the menu and criticized her.Chiara
Seeing Michael’s cold expression, Chiara felt her heart skip a beat in fear.“Mr. Barkworth, I swear it’s not like that. You’ve misunderstood me. I really see Iv as a close friend. I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea.”As she said that, she took a shaky breath. She lowered her head as if she was crying because she had been deeply misunderstood.In the past, Michael would have softened the moment he saw her like that.However, after witnessing just how calculated and deceptive Chiara could be, he did not feel pity, only a deep sense of disgust.Still, he held back his emotions and lowered his voice as he offered a quiet warning. “If you really see Iv as a friend, you shouldn’t be using her to get close to the people around her. Melanie, now that you’ve been accepted back into the Levine family and have gained a chance to start a new life, I suggest you make the most of it.”After all, she had already “died” in the eyes of the public once. Since she was living again under a
Chiara actually took Ivanka’s words seriously.Normally speaking, no one would approach a stranger and make such a promise as a show of goodwill without any motive.Chiara’s confidence either made Ivanka sound conniving or revealed how gullible she was.When Michael remained silent, Chiara could not help but get worried. She asked him timidly, “Do you think I’m lying, Mr. Barkworth?”Michael smiled. “I don’t think you’re lying. Iv is a nice person. Naturally, the people she likes won’t be too bad. This meeting is a gesture of goodwill from me. You can slowly tell me about your plan for the project.”This meal they had was only an excuse. As for what Michael could get out of it, it all depended on Chiara.If he could find out what Chiara was up to, he could help Ivanka out, so he was happy to do it.Hearing what Michael said, Chiara no longer had any reservations about him. She roughly told Michael about her plan.“A while ago, I promised to pretend to be Jonah’s fiancee because
Undoubtedly, Ivanka knew what Chiara was up to.Moreover, Sandy had seen what happened between her and Michael.Sandy immediately called Ivanka to tell her that she had seen Chiara and Michael eating at a restaurant together.During the call, Sandy straight up cussed at Michael and Chiara.Compared to how emotional and angry Sandy was, Ivanka seemed calm.When Ivanka saw messages from Chiara, she was rather amused.Ivanka: It’s nice that you’re collaborating with Michael. I hope your career will take off.Chiara: I have to thank you for this, Iv. I’m taking the agreement to Mr. Barkworth at Barkworth’s Group tomorrow. The truth is, I wanted to go with you and hoped to work with you to carry out the Willy suburbs project. However, Margaret has been difficult to deal with. Now that you’re back, I’m done pretending to be Jonah’s fiancée. But don’t worry, Iv. Mr. Barkworth is yours. I won’t steal him from you.“Hah.” Ivanka thought.She was Chiara, and Chiara was madly in love wit
Michael explained himself in a calm voice.But his explanation was pointless.His intention was as Ivanka had suspected.She pointed this out coldly. “Alright. Stop explaining yourself. I don’t want to hear it. You think Chiara is pitiful, so you want to work with her, accept her new identity, and allow her to live a new life. Fine, do what you want, but that’s none of my concern.”“Don’t hang up just yet, okay? I’m working with her because I want to help you. When her plan and true identity are exposed, can you spare her life? That’s all I ask.”Chiara had saved his life in the past. Michael would never watch her die and do nothing about it.Ivanka found him laughable. Throughout their marriage which had lasted three years, and even shortly after the divorce, many signs had ousted Chiara as the culprit whenever something bad happened. Ivanka had been innocent the entire time.But Michael always trusted Chiara for no reason. Instead, he had been cold toward Ivanka.He had cal
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