Ivanka recounted today’s event to Sandy.Sandy grinned and said, “Iv, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I might not be adept at the official, fancy counterattacks, but I have the perfect rogue-style strategy! Do you want to hear it? I swear, Chiara won’t stand a chance to counter, and you’ll be making waves all around!”Ivanka’s eyes gleamed and said, “Tell me.”Sandy, an expert in such matters, had a knack for both brilliant ideas and mischief.She giggled and said, “Make a scene! Jonah wants to collaborate with you, right? Have him communicate with Lane’s Group’s people. He’s the best bet to make a splash. You can reap the benefits without much effort. No way Lane’s Group will pass up this golden opportunity!”Ivanka chuckled, “That’s a good idea, but I don’t want to ask Jonah for favors and end up further in his debt.”Propping her chin with one hand, Sandy said amusedly, “I see. Well, I have other tricks up my sleeve.”Ivanka laughed helplessly. “Go ahead.”“First, make sure
Ivanka sighed, asking, “What happened between you and your father this time?”“Ugh, it’s so irritating! He won’t quit nagging me to go back and try to convince me not to hold a grudge while giving me his spiel. But his explanation is just weak. My mom died because of him, and I’ll hate him for the rest of my life!”Ivanka’s eyes flickered as she calmly spoke to the grim-faced Sandy, “Some things you’ll have to face sooner or later, and lots of it might just be your mix-up. If you don’t believe him, why not try to investigate what happened back then?”Sandy gritted her teeth and said, “Back then, my mom straight up jumped off a building right in front of me because he cheated. It was clear as day. What is there for him to explain?”She looked up at Ivanka. “Now, he’s keeping me locked up at home. He wants me to forgive him and wants me to get married the way he wants. Why should I listen to him? Seriously, for me, he’s no longer my father! Doesn’t he have other children anyway? He h
Sandy felt sorry for Ivanka when she noticed her smirk. She sighed in resignation. “Forget it; let’s not talk about this anymore. We should go to my uncle’s place first. Bring your proposal with you.”“Okay.”And so, the two of them packed up and set off together. They arrived at Thomas’s house just in time.Thomas had prepared a variety of snacks and fruits. He looked surprised when he saw the person Sandy brought was Ivanka. “Iv?”Ivanka quickly nodded respectfully. “Hello, Mr. Thomas.”Back when her father was the chairman, she would come to the company and assist him with some matters. She had interacted with the higher-ups during that time.Naturally, they had met before.Moreover, even if they were not acquainted, Thomas would easily recognize Ivanka, as she had recently gained considerable fame.Thomas swiftly stepped aside and smiled at them. “Come in and have a seat.”Sandy chuckled, “Uncle Thomas, did you miss me?”“You little rascal.” Thomas feigned anger.They th
Ivanka nodded and said, “Well, I’m not planning to keep this a secret from you. The original proposal requested Sandler’s Group to cough up all the funds while Lane’s Group plays along. I didn’t change the core requirements of the plan or the technological direction; I just revamped the entire implementation and reshaped it based on the original outline.”Thomas’s eyes widened with astonishment. “You wrote all of this?!”Ivanka nodded. “I’ve also revised the projects I collaborated on with Sadler’s Group before.”He looked at Ivanka delightfully. “Haha, great job! If your father sees you right now, he’d be thrilled, wouldn’t he?”Ivanka’s gaze dimmed slightly.Her deepest regret at the moment was that, because of her relationship with Michael, she was not able to spend time with Fernando. If only she had realized it earlier, he would not have died. It was the most regrettable and helpless moment of her life.Thomas sensed it and immediately explained, “Kiddo, the past is past. Do
Ivanka nodded. “I did follow the normal procedure. However, my cousin is worried that I’ll mess things up and ruin the company’s reputation.” Thomas snorted. “Theodore and his family are gaining power.” Ivanka pursed her lips silently. Meanwhile, Sandy said furiously, “Indeed! Uncle Thomas, are you aware of the incident during Mdm. Barkworth’s birthday banquet? Chiara tried to outshine Iv. She thought Iv had bought a rosary for Mdm. Barkworth, so she bought many rosaries to overshadow Iv.” “I’ve heard about that incident.” Thomas nodded. He turned to Ivanka and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be in charge of the matter. I’ll hold a meeting in the company tomorrow. You and Chiara will come and attend the meeting.” Sandy’s eyes lit up. “Uncle Thomas, are you going to help Iv to get back in?” “Of course!” Thomas smiled gently. “Although Theodore learns things quickly, he’s short-sighted and isn’t tolerant. He’s only able to keep the company running to this day purely because of its fou
Ivanka shook her head with a smile. “No.” Thomas could stop Chiara from showing up in the meeting. By then, everyone would be unprepared to confront Ivanka, and his effort would instantly allow her to succeed. However, this would be a dishonorable victory for Ivanka. The attendees would question her. Things would be different if Ivanka confronted Chiara. If Ivanka won, the attendees would not question her abilities. “Good! You’re a rising talent. Hahaha! Since you’re here, let us chat for a while longer. Are you two tired? You can stay overnight at my place.” Sandy let out a bark of laughter. “No, thank you. It’s still early. Uncle Thomas, if you’re not tired, we can continue chatting.” Thomas nodded. Indeed, he did not want them to go back yet. He still had a lot to ask them. Ivanka did not reject Sandy’s idea. Thomas turned to her and asked softly, “Ivanka, what’s your opinion about the company’s current development?” Ivanka was a little puzzled. “Huh?” “Just say it
Ivanka chuckled. “Yes. I’m ready.” Sandy could not help but heave a sigh. She then said resignedly, “Sigh. Iv, I feel like I’m still a child compared to you. Even though we’re the same age, you’re more like my older sister.” Ivanka could not help but giggle. “Just follow and listen to everything I say, then.” Sandy said gruffly, “Darn it! How dare you take advantage of me!” Ivanka could not help but smile. “Okay. We’ll take a rest now. I’ll prepare breakfast for you tomorrow.” “That’s great! I’ll go to bed now so that I’ll have the spirit to enjoy breakfast tomorrow!” Ivanka smiled silently. The duo returned to their room. After they washed up, they went to bed. The next day, after taking their breakfast, Sandy went to work with contentment. Ivanka went to the company as usual. She looked spirited. Rebecca was a little puzzled when she saw Ivanka. Rebecca could not help but say with admiration, “Iv, you’re looking great! I was worried that you’re in low spirits becaus
Several people arrived at the meeting room. “Iv?” Some people were puzzled. The meeting had been impromptu. They did not know what exactly was going on. Moreover, it was Thomas who called the meeting. Thomas was regarded highly in the company. They wondered why they would bump into Ivanka at that moment. Hence, the audience stared at her. Ivanka smiled. “Hi, everyone.” Despite their puzzlement, the audience nodded at her politely. Ivanka walked into the meeting room and sat down by the corner. She sat at the most inconspicuous seat. One could say that it was the seat where only the people with the lowest ranking would sit. The audience looked at her. A hint of complication flashed in their eyes. After all, they were aware of Ivanka’s identity. “Sigh. Her current situation is different from what she was before.” Soon, everyone walked into the meeting room and sat at their respective places. Ivanka’s corner seat faced the entrance. The moment they entered thro
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