“Because…” After Chiara said that, she was suddenly at a loss for words.She gritted her teeth. Jillian was on Thomas’s side. She was known for her sharp tongue and tendency of asking tricky questions.Thomas was at least considerate of everyone’s mood and faced them with a smile, while Jillian always had a cold face and spoke bluntly. There was a sudden silence in the meeting room. Theodore’s expression faltered slightly, but he could not defend his daughter at that moment because it would appear as if they were targeting Ivanka.All he could do was to stay silent. He was in a dilemma! For the sake of his image, he could not be nice to Ivanka or favor his daughter. For the sake of profit, he had to agree to this plan. At that moment, he was a little torn and wavered.Ivanka sneered to herself, but it was time for her to jump in. She acted like a hypocrite once again, and with a guilty expression, she said, “Maybe Chiara didn’t think too much at the time, and just wanted to
She had a calm expression, but worry flashed in her eyes. If the plan succeeded, everyone could only imagine how much profit it could bring!Theodore would probably agree to let Ivanka do it because of the profits.If Ivanka’s reputation skyrockets, would Chiara still be relevant in the business?Was this not Ivanka’s opportunity to grow without restraint? Ivanka just smiled and said nothing. Theodore looked at Chiara again and said, “Chiara, it’s your fault for being negligent this time. Go back and send me a letter of apology.”Despite being irritated, Chiara took a breath and said, “Understood.”“Do you think that a simple letter of apology should be enough to clear her?” Jillian took the chance to ask. The storm in Theodore’s eyes seemed to thicken. Jillian and Thomas sided with Ivanka’s father, and they had always opposed him. He had not yet figured out a way to drive these people out of Lane’s Group. Theodore felt defeated as he added, “Of course not.”Clyde Wil
Ivanka looked relaxed. She knew that Theodore and Chiara would not allow her to oversee this project, even if they compromised and punished Chiara. It was expected. Theodore calmly said, “Just like Chiara said, Ivanka is still inexperienced. If she makes a mistake, Sadler’s group will never say that it was their fault. The blame will definitely be put on Lane’s Group and our reputation will be severely impacted. Thus, our task is to find someone who holds the necessary experience and skills to collaborate with Sadler’s Group.”Clyde narrowed his eyes. “But Mr. Sadler stated that the condition for the collaboration is to let Ivanka be in charge. Will they accept it if we replace the person in charge?”Hugh said right away, “So, we have to talk to them. First, we need to choose someone competent and find another person to negotiate with Mr. Sadler. At the same time, you also need to show Mr. Sadler that you are unfit for the position, Ms. Ivanka.”Chiara glanced at Ivanka as wel
“If you’re unable to oversee this project, then there’s no need for a collaboration.”Everyone was stunned. The faces of those in Theodore’s group became grim.Ivanka’s camp were all smiles. Ivanka had expected Jonah would say something like that, and she had already talked to him beforehand, so she continued. “I’m sorry, Mr. Sadler, but I’m not qualified. My skills are limited, so I’ll probably mess things up if I do it.”“You came up with this plan. No one can be more capable than you, My Princess. So, please have confidence in yourself. Have you reported this to your company?”Ivanka paused for a moment, but Jonah spoke again before she could say anything. “Deliver my message to whoever is in charge of your company. I won’t hold back. The project will lose its soul if you’re not here, so it’s best if we don’t proceed.”Theodore was speechless. He was about to answer the phone and speak with him directly, but what more could he say now that Jonah had said that? Did Jonah
Jillian’s lips twitched. Her mocking expression seemed to indicate that Theodore’s struggle was futile.This time, the meeting ended there with no one disputing Theodore’s declarations.Ivanka stayed in her spot. She did not get up until after everyone had left.Chiara immediately followed her. She grabbed Ivanka’s arm and said, “I have something to tell you.”Ivanka turned to face her. She scanned the security-camera-filled meeting room, and smiled, “Here?”Chiara gritted her teeth. “Follow me,” she said while grabbing Ivanka’s arm without letting go.Ivanka pulled her arm out and just looked at her. Then, speaking in a low voice that was only audible to them, she said sarcastically, “Chiara, I still have a lot of work to deal with. Out of the five projects you gave me, there are still two for which I have not secured the deal. You’ve been suspended now, so you can’t give me orders even if you want to. We can talk after I get off work.”After Ivanka said that, she turned away f
Chiara was confused. “What is it?”“It seems that this suspension may not entirely be a bad thing. You can’t touch Ivanka for the time being, but you can dig a hole first.”Chiara was dumbfounded. “Dig what hole?”“Go back to your mother. She’ll tell you,” Theodore said in a deep voice. Chiara frowned slightly. “Why are you being mysterious about this? Alright, I’ll go back first.”…At that time, Ivanka had already returned to her office. Everyone looked at her in confusion. Rebecca could not hold back and asked Ivanka, “Iv, what kind of meeting did you have?”Ivanka looked calm, and she just chuckled. “I’m sorry, Rebecca. We can’t announce it yet. We still have to wait for a few days.”“Ah, right,” Rebecca said with a nod. “If it can’t be made public, I won’t ask. I’ll wait a few days, but I have the feeling that you’re getting closer to success.”Ivanka smiled. “Thank you. I’m counting on that.” Her words carried a profound meaning. Everyone seemed to have noticed so
Naila halted and turned to glance at Ivanka, who was sitting next to her with a mask. Her eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.Ivanka slowly removed her mask and revealed a strikingly beautiful and unforgettable face.Naila’s gaze carried a hint of surprise. In the next second, she smiled and said, “Ms. Ivanka? What a coincidence.”Ivanka put her mask back on and said with a smile, “Is it? I came specifically for you, Ms. Naila.”Naila observed her. She said nothing, nor did she rush to leave.Ivanka smiled. “How about we talk in the private room?”Naila slowly removed her sunglasses. Her beautiful eyes carried a hint of indifference. “What is there for us to talk about?”Ivanka’s lips curled into a smile. “Ms. Naila, how would you know if my proposal is truly bad without a chat? Just take a look at it. If you don’t like it, you can turn around and leave.”After saying that, she opened her proposal and handed it to Naila.Naila simply glanced at it without taking it. However, after
Ivanka gazed at Naila with a faint smile. Seeing the anger in her eyes, she calmly remarked, “Business is all about making deals. Don’t you think so, Ms. Naila?”Naila frowned and stared at Ivanka.Meanwhile, two individuals were standing around the corner, one behind the other. The man standing in front pursed his lips and glanced sideways. Ivanka was looking at the woman next to her in a way that told him she was effortlessly handling the situation.He frowned. Annoyance grew in his eyes.The man behind him kept checking his watch. Eventually, he resignedly said, “Mr. Barkworth, we’re getting late for the meeting.”Michael’s frown deepened.In the end, he wordlessly adjusted his tie and headed outside.As Ivanka looked up, she caught sight of Michael, who was exuding an air of indifference and nobility. Her gaze carried a hint of surprise.She thought. “What is he doing here?”Following Ivanka’s line of sight, Naila glanced over but quickly averted her gaze.Unperturbed, Iv
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