“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
Ivanka was speechless.At that moment, Sandy was acting like a scout and gathering intelligence about the two of them. Something must be going on between them!Iv had never told her about this. Could she have taken a fancy to Jonah?Her expression slightly changed. How could that be?She directly asked, “Iv, you’re being a stranger. When did you two know each other? You two seem quite close. Why didn’t you introduce your new friend to me?”When Sandy spoke, she winked at Ivanka.Jonah smiled and said, “We haven’t known each other for a long time, but we get along well in our relationship.”Sandy was dumbfounded. “Relationship?”She thought. ‘What kind of relationship would that be?’ The corners of Ivanka’s mouth twitched. “Wash the vegetables.”Jonah smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”Sandy looked confused.She repeated the phrase in her mind. ‘Yes, ma’am?’She stole frequent glances at Ivanka. She kept wanting her to give some hints, but… Even after all the food was on the table, she
Sandy sounded worried. She felt Ivanka was going to face a storm in the future.Everyone knew that every time Ivanka and Michael appeared at the banquet, they were there to show their affection, but now…Jonah raised his eyebrows, but he said nothing.If Ivanka could attend the banquet with him, it would deal a painful blow to the Barkworth’s Group. It was something he wished for.Ivanka’s lips twitched. “It doesn’t matter.”She had to take this step, eventually. She had long run out of patience with Michael, and there was no need to put up with him anymore.Besides, if she did not do it, Chiara would start coming up with fresh ideas in the future. It would be better for her to be the villain and free herself sooner.Sandy sighed. “Well, maybe it’s for the better. In this case, your divorce will be smoother.”Jonah raised his eyebrows. He seemed to know nothing about it. He said in surprise, “The divorce will be smoother?”Sandy gritted her teeth. “It’s all because of that wre
Ivanka looked at her and nodded without waiting for her to finish her sentence. “I have been left with no other choice. I’ve already done all I can for him, but he has no sense of decorum.”Sandy’s eyes were wide open. After the shock, she became even more excited. “Iv, have you made up your mind? Once you get to this point, there’s no turning back.”Ivanka raised her eyebrows. “What happened? Didn’t you try to get my mind off him? Now that I’ve decided, you’re telling me to reconsider.”“I want nothing more for you two to complete the divorce procedure so that you can stay away from that b*stard,” Sandy proclaimed boldly. But in the next second, she appeared doubtful and said, “I’m just worried that you’ll regret it and feel worse than before. People always say that it’s better to rip the band-aid off than suffer with it, but sometimes, ripping it off may hurt even more than the long-suffering.”Ivanka smiled and put her hand on Sandy’s hand. “Trust me. I won’t.”Sandy’s eyes fla
At that moment, Ivanka was already sitting in Jonah’s car.Sandy was not here because she wanted to be with Hanson and Anna.Jonah drove with Ivanka in the front passenger seat.He looked at Ivanka with a slight smile. “Why didn’t you wear the dress I prepared for you?”Ivanka turned and looked at him. “The size was not suitable, so I just picked two dresses at random. I’ll return you the two dresses when we go back later. Why don’t you give them to your other partners?”She did not know Jonah well, but she knew enough about him to be guarded and calculative. However, Jonah had not tried to oppress her into anything, so she did not need to worry too much when she spoke.Jonah raised his eyebrows. “I don’t have other partners. Aren’t you the only one now?”Ivanka smiled silently.Along the way, Jonah had been finding topics for a conversation as he did not want the atmosphere to be too dull. However, he was discreet and sleek about it. The two chatted freely in a relaxed atmosph
Ivanka froze and was absentminded for a moment.She suddenly remembered that at the banquets before, Michael would talk to her gently when she held his arm so that people could see how deeply in love they were.Back then, she felt she was the happiest woman in the world.But later on, a hint of self-mockery flashed in her eyes. She smiled at Jonah and walked toward the main entrance with him.When they walked across the front of the car, the palm-sized, delicate face of the woman was displayed in front of everyone.Many people could not help but gasp.She was wearing a fitting blue midi dress that flaunted her voluminous body. Her two arms were fair and slender, and her slim waist attracted many men’s attention.But in the past, only Michael would hold this waist.Although Jonah was not holding her waist, she was holding Jonah’s arm. What the hell was going on?Wasn’t this woman Ivanka?For a moment, everyone could not help but look around for Ivanka. Could that woman be… a l
It was Mr. Barkworth’s car.Everyone wondered if he had brought a partner over today.He slowly got out of the car, and his innate nobleness and indifference intimidated everyone.The difference between Jonah and him was that Mr. Sadler was elegant and gentle, but Mr. Barkworth had the air of an emperor. People did not dare to offend him.He closed the car door and walked toward the front passenger seat with his slender legs.Everyone was very excited!It was as if they were on the cusp of discovering an important secret!They all stared in their direction in excitement. They wanted to know who the woman in the front passenger seat was!At that moment, both men and women only had one thought. They wanted to see who his partner was. Besides that, they had no other thoughts.Under everyone’s anticipatory gazes, the door of the front passenger seat was slowly opened. However, Michael did not help the person and just said calmly, “Let’s go.”Chiara hid the disappointment in her e
Many guests were in the living room.But even so, Michael only needed to sweep a glance across the crowd to spot the man and woman in the champagne section chatting and laughing happily.He instantly released a murderous aura. Chiara noticed that something was wrong and followed his gaze. She was surprised by what she saw.She could not help but exclaim, “Oh lord, why is Iv together with Jonah?”Chiara was puzzled. Was Ivanka really trying to get a divorce. Was it not an act to try making Michael angry? Otherwise, Ivanka would not choose to appear with Michael’s opponent at such a publicized a banquet.This was an extreme form of insult to Michael, so he would not put up with it.Michael returned to his senses, but he continued to shoot daggers with his gaze.Ivanka and Jonah seemed to sense something and looked toward the door at the same time.Ivanka was stunned for a moment, before she smiled the next second. Then, she cast her indifferent gaze at Chiara.Ivanka could not
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