Slam!Ivanka tried to compose herself after entering the room. Suddenly, they heard the sound of the door being thrown open, and they turned in the direction of the door simultaneouslyThe man was tall and slender. He wore an haute couture formal suit that did nothing to hide his in-born air of regality. He looked really cool.However, he was currently giving off a bone-chilling aura. His gaze was so razor-sharp that no one dared to meet his gaze.Ivanka frowned. What was he doing here?When Michael saw the large bouquet of roses next to Ivanka, he felt that it was an eyesore.He snorted, “I can’t believe you found a lover so soon.”Hanson’s gentle gaze turned cold. Before he said anything, Ivanka yelled at him, “Michael, watch your words!”Michael stared at her gloomily. “Ivanka, we’re not officially divorced, yet you can no longer hide your true colors. Am I dead to you?!”Ivanka scoffed. Sandy glared at him and hissed, “Michael, what are you doing? Iv gave up everything to
Michael was taken aback. Ivanka looked at him with an upset expression and said, “I’ve been waiting for you to call me so that we can go to the City Hall. Are you seriously telling me that you don’t even have the time for that, Mr. Barkworth? If you would just spend a little less time with her, I’m sure we could’ve gotten a divorce already. You wouldn’t have to worry about your company’s reputation and interests every day.”“You b*stard…”Michael gritted his teeth and said, “Ivanka! Do you really think I don’t want to get a divorce? Grandma was the one who was begging me not to!”Ivanka was puzzled as she thought. “I remember Grandma called me and said that she wanted to find a better man for me. Is this some kind of reverse psychological tactic she’s using?”“My company is still working on a project, and it’s competing with Sadler’s Group. After this project is over, I’ll split up with you. I want you to behave just for this month!”Any negative news would be detrimental to Mic
Rosie was still deciding who would be a good fit for Ivanka. She took out her phone and looked through young men from rich families.To her surprise, a piece of news suddenly popped up on her screen. [The person sitting next to Mr. Sadler is Mrs. Barkworth, Sadler’s Group’s competitor!]Rosie was stunned. “Jonah Sadler?!“I barely watch the news, and even I know that he’s a womanizer. He has multiple girlfriends. How is he the one for Iv?!“I’m sure this is just clickbait!”As she told herself this, she clicked into the article. As it turned out, the woman sitting next to Jonah in the car was indeed Ivanka! Their faces were as clear as day.“That’s… That’s impossible!”She immediately dialed Ivanka’s number.But… “Sorry, please hold on. The person you are calling is on another line…”Rosie hung up the phone worriedly. At the moment, Ivanka was talking to Sandy on the phone. Sandy’s excited voice made her frown slightly. “Why are you wailing like a ghost in the midd
“Okay, then.”Rosie did not mean what she said. She was determined to find the best man that suited Ivanka and make him her grandson-in-law.After they chatted for a while, the two finally hung up. Ivanka had already tapped into Twitter and scrolled through it with familiar ease. “Trending, huh?“I may not be a celebrity, but my username online is often seen among the trending posts.“Aside from my username online, my real name is also always trending along with Michael’s name.“We are portrayed as a loving couple to the public for the benefit of the company, and we frequently show up on some occasions to keep up with the facade. I used to willingly cooperate with him because I loved him. I would always look forward to appearing in public because it was the only time I felt like I’m married to a good husband…“But now… “Tsk.“With Jonah and myself trending like wildfire, Barkworth’s Group must be in a frenzy, since everyone knows that Michael and Jonah are deadly foes.”T
However, the neighbor quickly took note of Michael’s hostile demeanor, so he shrank back and quietly closed the door.Ivanka was at a loss for words.The violent knocks on the door were deafening. Ivanka was afraid of offending other people, but neither could she stop Michael, so she had no choice but to open the door.Michael walked in with a gloomy expression.Ivanka closed the door and glared at him. “Mr. Barkworth, your actions make me think you are finding it difficult to forget about me!”‘Even if something has popped up, can’t we resolve it during the day?’She thought Michael had found out about what happened on the Internet when he was somewhere else just now, so he was calling to question her. However, if she had taken the timing of events into consideration, she would have known that he was already near her home when he called her.Michael glared at her and scoffed. “Do you actually believe that I can’t forget you? Ivanka, I only have sound reason to suspect that you
She decisively opened the door.A slender figure appeared before Ivanka’s view.Michael also stood up and walked over.The corners of Ivanka’s mouth curled up. She turned and looked at Michael. “It’s not my so-called paramour. It’s your lover. Are you embarrassed?”Chiara slightly narrowed her eyes. ‘Lover? If I want, I can change Ivanka’s status from a legal wife to a lover by lifting a finger.’Michael’s expression turned gloomier. He looked at Chiara unhappily. “Why are you here?”Chiara hurriedly spoke up, sounding worried. “I wanted to discuss something with you, so I tried to reach you through your friend. However, I heard you were in a bad mood today, so I was worried and asked about it. After knowing you were here, I hurried over here as I was afraid there might be some misunderstandings between you two. Iv, Mic, you two should hear each other out to solve the problem. Don’t let this misunderstanding escalate.”Ivanka smiled. “It doesn’t matter. He’ll marry you soon, and
He snatched Ivanka’s phone and hung up.Ivanka looked with a perplexed expression. “What’re you doing?”Michael stared at Ivanka. It was as if his sharp gaze would skewer her if she dared to do anything.“Ivanka, this is my last warning. If you dare to seduce other men, don’t blame me for not sparing you!”Chiara looked stiff. ‘Seduce other men?’She had always thought that Michael meddled with Ivanka’s affairs because of his pride as a man. No man could stand to watch his newly divorced wife fool around with another man.But…A bad premonition popped up in her mind.Ivanka seemed as nonchalant as ever. “I don’t need your sparing. Goodbye.”Chiara grabbed Michael’s arm worriedly. “Mic, Iv is still young and immature. Don’t take her words seriously.”Michael pursed his thin lips. He shot Ivanka a cold glance and left.Only Ivanka and Chiara were left in the house. Chiara looked at Ivanka with mockery.Ivanka sneered. “What’re you still doing here? Waiting for me to kick you
“You’ll find out when the time comes.”“What? F*ck you! Are you still my best friend?”“Yes, and I’ll cook for you tonight.”“Really?!”Sandy was a major foodie, and Ivanka had cooking skills that were even better than chefs. She was easily enticed by Ivanka’s words.“I meant it, of course.”“I want braised pork, meatball, tomato fish stew…”Sandy did not hold back and listed eight dishes in one breath.The corners of Ivanka’s mouth twitched. “Can you finish them?”“Of course I can! I’m a big eater!”“Okay, I’ll do as you said.”The two talked and laughed on the way home. While they were washing the vegetables, they heard the doorbell ring.Sandy was puzzled. She asked, “Who could it be? Did you give anyone this address?”Ivanka frowned a little. Besides Michael and Chiara, only Sandy would know about this.Jonah knew her whereabouts, but he did not know her specific house number.There was no way that Michael and Chiara would pay her a visit at this time.She put down
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