“Mrs. Barkworth?” Lyla sounded a little drowsy. “What happened? Why are you calling so late at night?”“Mrs. Lane…” Mindy took a breath and said with a complex expression, “I’m truly sorry!”Lyla paused on purpose, as if she had just become fully alert. But, before she could speak, Mindy spoke, “I tried calling Chiara, but she didn’t answer me. When the call finally went through, a man answered it. He said that she was surrounded by a group of thugs, and he saved her. She’s on her way to Ternary Hospital. I-I…”“Did something happen to Chiara?” Lyla sounded panicked. “They’ll reach Ternary Hospital in another ten minutes or so. Mrs. Lane, let’s go there before we talk any further!”“Okay!” Lyla hung up and looked at Theodore, who was next to her. She no longer looked as flustered as she did before. “All right, let’s go,” she said calmly.Theodore had a frown and was feeling worried. “Are you sure that this plan is going to work?”“Of course!” She glanced at his worried face and
“Lyla!” Theodore quickly helped her.Lyla was breathing heavily, and her eyes were red. However, she did not say anything that indicated she blamed Mindy for anything.“Sorry… I’m really sorry. I didn’t watch my son’s behavior. I even suggested the idea. It’s my fault.” Mindy’s eyes were teary.Last time, Chiara’s left leg had been severely injured, and she had fallen into a “coma” due to injuries on her other body parts. This time, the thug kicked her in the left leg again. How could Mindy not panic?Lyla looked devastated. She took a deep breath before she quickly grabbed Mindy’s hand. “Mrs. Barkworth, I have a favor to ask!”Mindy subconsciously shook her head in regret. “This is my fault! Lyla, how can you still ask me to help you?”“Can you ask Mr. Barkworth to come over?” Lyla’s eyes turned red, and she was flustered as she said, “Mrs. Barkworth, I know that Mr. Barkworth might not like my daughter, so I won’t let my daughter come into contact with Michael and disturb him a
Mindy was so angry that her body shook. Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared at Michael. “You said you would marry Chiara. How much has Chiara sacrificed for you? Are you blind? It’s only right even if she stays at your house forever. You owe her! But what happened, Michael Barkworth?! What did you do?”Michael pursed his lips without a word.Lyla immediately shook her head. “No, Mrs. Barkworth. Please calm down. This has nothing to do with Mr. Barkworth. It’s my daughter…” “It has nothing to do with Chiara!” Mindy was truly in a fit of rage. Even though she was in the hospital, she did not hold back. She raised her hand and gave Michael another slap in the face!This time, both of his cheeks were equally red.Michael did not avoid it. He just had a grim expression and remained silent.Mindy gritted her teeth and spoke again, “I gave her the idea! I forced her to go! Chiara didn’t want to push you into a corner like that. I was the one who told her that both of you aren’t young
Michael had a tight frown that instant, but he could not say anything.Mindy was already giving Samuel a call.Samuel was puzzled when he answered the call. “Girl, why are you calling me at this hour?” he asked.Samuel and Rosie treated Mindy very well, and that was how they usually addressed her. Mindy had also gotten used to it. “Dad, there are a lot of things I can’t explain right now, but I plan on discussing them with you. Can you get them to post the announcement that we’ve prepared for a long time first?” she quickly said.Samuel was slightly surprised. “Post it now? Has Michael agreed?”“It’s not up to him to decide! Hasn’t he made enough mistakes? Dad, I’m in the hospital. Chiara just made it out of critical care, and it’s all because of that brat, Michael! He has to marry Chiara!”Samuel was startled. “What happened?”Mindy sighed, but after she contemplated for a while, she quickly answered, “Dad, just ask them to post the announcement. I still have some arrangements
Michael pursed his lips. “Grandpa and Mom already made the announcement.”Chiara’s body trembled, and she subconsciously looked at Michael. She moved her lips but did not know what to say.Michael looked calm as he said, “I owe you this. Besides, today’s incident was unexpected. Give me two more months to handle some things.”Chiara’s eyelashes trembled slightly. “Mic, you…”She seemed to be at a loss for words. In the end, Michael looked at Chiara’s leg that was dressed in bandages and softly asked, “Does it still hurt?”Chiara shook her head. “I didn’t go through a big surgery. It was a minimally invasive surgery. My leg is just wrapped in a very exaggerated way. I’m fine. Look!” Even though Chiara said that, she instantly gasped when she raised her left leg to show Michael!“Stop trying to be tough!”Michael did not move as he was afraid of touching her wound. “Put your leg down.”Chiara kept quiet and obediently put her leg down.A while later, the rest walked in. “Grand
His assistant seemed startled before he subconsciously looked at Jonah. “Mr. Sadler, do you really want…” “...To be with her?” He thought.He dared not finish the sentence out loud.Jonah smiled faintly. “Everyone thinks that I’m a playboy, so why can’t I be with her? Who would find it outrageous?”“But you’re not that kind of person. Besides, Ms. Lane’s been married before. Mr. Sadler, you’re an outstanding man…” Jonah smiled. “I don’t mind it. Besides, Ivanka is worth it.”“You…” Surprise filled his assistant’s eyes. When Mr. Sadler first interacted with Ivanka, she had taken the initiative to contact him. She revealed her identity as Iris, and she was willing to collaborate with him.Mr. Sadler could also take the opportunity to go against Michael.However, the more they got in touch, the more Mr. Sadler’s mindset seemed to change!His assistant wanted to know if he had fallen for that woman! This should not happen! Where had the wise Mr. Sadler gone?Jonah turned arou
Mr. Sadler’s Fangirl: No way! I strongly disagree! Ivanka is just a divorced woman. Why does Mr. Sadler want to be with a woman like that? Only a more outstanding lady is good enough for Mr. Sadler! Mr. Sadler, don’t marry her! Sob! Sob! Sob!Having Fun: F*ck! This is terrifying! Michael Barkworth just posted an announcement about Ivanka being a cunning woman, but someone supported her right after? I love men like this! I’m so touched! I’m sobbing! When will I meet a man who will love and care for me like this? Don’t Run If You Dare: What? You’ve got to be kidding me, guys. Why do I find some of your perspectives so wrong? Are things what they really seem on the surface? Netizens, stop this!”Ivanka Is My Idol: If it’s possible, I really hope that the two of them will be together. When Ivanka was with Michael, she didn’t seem to have a good life to me. I also had a feeling that their relationship was fake. Otherwise, why would their relationship be so tense after their divorce? I t
[I’m sorry that you have to see this announcement. But I decided to post this after some deep thought. Today, I’ll clarify some things for you. [I believe that many people are paying attention to the issues between my grandson and Ms. Lane. You probably think that they were so close but wonder why they would suddenly divorce. Was their relationship fake? [Wrong, their relationship was real, and the Barkworth family would never do anything hypocritical]Disdain flashed across Ivanka’s eyes as she read up to this point.Hypocritical?Ha!She continued reading.[However, something has given the Barkworth family a new perception of Ms. Lane. I think everyone is aware of the reason the two of them were together in the past. There were rumors because of that incident. At that time, we believed that no matter what happened, Michael should bear the responsibility as a man. Therefore, the Barkworth family and Lane family immediately held a wedding. We initially thought it was a harmoni
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