If they had met before Ivanka divorced Michael, this man would have called her Mrs. Barkworth. However, now…He dared not do that. These two were already divorcees. He had no idea how to address her.But he really wanted to get on Ivanka’s good side. That was why he blurted out that name.Iris.Michael immediately frowned.This name frustrated and angered him, but it mostly made him feel remorse.Ivanka nodded with a smile. “Hello, Mr. Lloyd.”The look on Mr. Lloyd’s face was tense and awkward. He had called her by the wrong name. He should have just addressed her by her maiden name.However…He only remembered that Ivanka was called Iris at that moment. He had, in fact, failed to recall her maiden name.Seeing Michael’s expression, Mr. Lloyd panicked a little. He quickly turned to Michael and chuckled. “Mr. Barkworth, why have you decided to attend the banquet today? Since you’ve visited Springvale, I ought to play my part and host you. Are you free tomorrow? I’ll treat you
Ivanka had enough!However, Michael looked at her mockingly. “You don’t have the right to rest just yet. We haven’t finalized our cooperation.”“You talk to everyone who approaches you! We can barely talk about our f*cking collaboration!” She gritted her teeth.“Ivanka! Who told you to curse like that?” Michael’s expression darkened.She was speechless. She suddenly realized the difficulty of communicating with someone whose opinions completely differed from hers.She was trying to tell him to speed up the discussion and wrap it up quickly.But he, on the other hand, was fixated on her cursing.He must be nuts! She continued cursing him in her heart.She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She needed to control herself!Michael seemed determined to be at odds with her. He continued to chat with everyone around him. He appeared particularly talkative today.With others present, she saw an opportunity rise.Looking at them, she said with a smile, “Sorry to interrupt.”
Ivanka looked up. She saw a dignified, elegant woman in a white gown. Her long, brown, curly hair rested on her shoulders. She lowered her head as she looked down at Ivanka. The woman was very polite. She gestured to Ivanka to finish her call before chatting with her. Ivanka immediately stopped chatting with Sandy. She said, “Sandy, I’m at a banquet now. Let’s continue when I go home.” Sandy was a little surprised, but she did not ask further. “Alright. We’ll chat after the banquet.” Ivanka hung up. She stared at the regal woman before her as she asked, “Are you Ms. Tanya?” Mr. Cullen was the president of the largest corporation in Springvale. Tanya Cullen was his beloved daughter. Tanya was not surprised that Ivanka recognized her. She sat opposite Ivanka and said calmly, “Ms. Ivanka, I didn’t expect to bump into you at this banquet.” Tanya did not expect to run into Ivanka in this manner. Ivanka sized Tanya up. “Ms. Tanya, do you have any business with me?” Tanya sm
“To be honest, I’m most surprised that you divorced because of your cousin.” Ivanka’s lips twitched. Not everyone was aware of how important Chiara was to Michael. Regardless of what Tanya said to her, Ivanka no longer cared about Michael. Thus, she did not pay attention to the hidden meaning in Tanya’s words. Ivanka smiled wordlessly. Tanya sized her up. A hint of surprise darted across her eyes. Ivanka differed completely from what she had expected. Tanya paused for a moment before saying with a smile, “I hope you’re not my love rival.” Ivanka nodded casually. “Don’t worry. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t disgrace myself anymore. If you’re smart, you should be able to speculate why he openly brought me to this banquet.” Tanya had high social status and power. She was also a scheming woman. She naturally knew what Michael cared about the most. She also knew well about his background. Even without Ivanka pointing it out, Tanya should know why. As expected, Tanya nod
“Ms. Ivanka is Wisteria.”Jonah stopped what he was doing and looked at James coldly.James stiffened before continuing, “That day, Ms. Ivanka was neither at home nor at the law firm. I saw her leaving that building in different attire. Hanson escorted her upon her return.”Jonah remained silent as James added, “After he left, she went into the building. Subsequently, I saw Mr. Barkworth follow her inside. They went into the elevator together. He was restraining Ivanka. They both got off at her floor. About half an hour later, he got back into the elevator with a sour expression.”Jonah clenched his phone. “So, it’s really her.”No wonder he found Ivanka familiar that day and felt something was amiss with Michael.He should have figured it out!He paused for a moment before looking at James and said in a low voice, “Why did it take you so long to tell me the answer?”Flustered, James turned pale. He hastily responded, “I-I never thought this had anything to do with Ms. Ivanka
Rosie looked up at him and frowned. “Gee, why don’t you twitch your mouth more? Show it to the world.”Jay was rendered speechless. Helplessly, he looked at her and said, “Mom, you see how it is, right? Sometimes, we can’t force people to be together.”After all, he did not want to deceive his mother.“Every child has their own destiny. Sometimes, worrying won’t necessarily solve anything. Do you think anyone can handle Michael’s temperament?”Frustrated, Rosie said, “It might be too late for him to win Iv back when he finally realizes how good she is, no matter how much he regrets it.”Jay sighed wordlessly.She gently reassured him. “You guys don’t have to worry about my health. There’s no need to come all the way just to check on me. I’m feeling much better now. Don’t worry, I’ll take my medicine on time. My body is much healthier than before.”He nodded and gazed at her. “Michael will regret it someday and try to pursue Iv again. You’ll just have to keep waiting for that d
Michael had no idea that two women would scold him that day. One called him blind, and the other called him deaf. It was peculiar how someone who appeared blind and deaf could thrive in the business field and earn silent epithets from everyone as a significant villain.He narrowed his eyes, giving a more threatening look.Yet, at that moment, Ivanka had hiked up her gown. He frowned at her reddening feet.The heels he chose looked good, but they were really uncomfortable to wear.She strongly suspected he deliberately bought her a pair of poor-quality shoes.She chuckled. “Look, my feet are already so red. Mr. Barkworth, are you still going to make me go with you?”He pursed his lips before walking away wordlessly.Tanya noticed he had pulled out his phone and made a call, but she was not sure whom he called.She then looked at Ivanka again. She feigned a smile and said, “Ms. Ivanka, have you really moved on?”Ivanka wordlessly raised an eyebrow.Tanya wouldn’t believe her
Ivanka was speechless.It was too late for her to escape, especially after spending two hours arm-in-arm with Michael. The viewers had seen enough, so attempting to conceal anything further would be meaningless.Sandy: You’ve gone viral! Some celebrities probably hate you. Many directors must be eager to rope you in for acting or variety shows, too.Ivanka stayed silent while pursing her lips.However, Sandy was anxious.Sandy: Bestie, can you please tell me why you’re involved with him again?Ivanka sighed resignedly.Ivanka: I was forced into it due to a collaboration. Plus, Rosie hasn’t been well lately. She wanted to see us reconcile. He was just pretending, but I didn’t expect him to go to such lengths.Sandy: What now? Can you even clarify things?Many people were criticizing Ivanka on Twitter. Sandy was hesitant to bring this up, but not discussing it didn’t mean that Ivanka would not find out about it herself.Sure enough, Ivanka had already checked Twitter.She frow
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