Jonah said calmly, “I’m coming to you this afternoon. Please give me your spare house key and record one of my fingerprints in your system. Ivanka was stunned. She no longer wanted to talk to him, so she immediately hung up. She truly needed to rest. Before noon, someone already knocked on her door. Ivanka’s drowsiness vanished.The banging on the door darkened her face with fury. It was certainly not Jonah. It was Michael! “Is he crazy?” Ivanka lay on the bed and was reluctant to get up. However, the banging on the door only grew louder! Ivanka furiously threw off her blanket and got up from her bed. The banging on the door was so loud that it hurt her ears. If this went on, Ivanka was worried that her neighbors would come over to watch the drama again. She gritted her teeth and opened the door. The moment Ivanka saw Michael, she furiously tried to kick him in the nuts. Michael’s expression instantly changed, and he evaded her. Ivanka glared coldly. “If you
Michael sharply gazed at Ivanka. She stared at him dismissively. Michael pursed his lips. He did not want to have conflicts with her at that moment. He shut his eyes for a while before saying in a deep voice, “You need to take into consideration your collaborator’s background. Lane’s Group is your foundation, so you need to consider the outcome of its collaboration with Sadler’s Group and Barkworth’s Group and find out which one could bring greater benefits to your company.” Ivanka remained silent. Michael continued, “In the eyes of a businessman, money matters the most, while the rest could be ignored.” This time, Michael sounded uncharacteristically patient. In other words, he implied that Ivanka should be open-minded and not linger on the current situation. She should not be bothered by their relationship. Instead, she should put aside those thoughts and consider the company’s interests. This was a businessman’s mindset, and she should think like that. Ivanka frowned s
Michael froze and subconsciously inhaled deeply.Ivanka did not notice anything odd. Her slender fingers worked on the notebook as she slid to turn on an audio file. “Chiara, why did you call me at this hour? Hasn’t Michael come back yet?” Michael frowned slightly. He recognized Lyla’s voice. “Mom…” Chiara sobbed. Lyla asked in a serious tone, “Why are you sobbing? What’s going on?” Chiara sobbed again. “M-Mic came back.” Lyla smiled. “Chiara, this is just a matter of time. Even though both of you are not married yet, with Michael’s personality, he’ll certainly bear the responsibility. This is good news for you. Why are you crying? What is he doing now? Are you calling me inside the washroom?” —— The audio file paused there. Ivanka already sensed an increasing chill surrounding Michael. She chuckled. “Let’s continue. Hold back your anger first.” Michael pursed his lips silently. —— The next moment, Chiara said anxiously, “No, it’s not like this. “If things go o
Chiara said, “I-Is this really okay? If this happens, I won’t be able to contact him as much anymore. If he ever gets together with Ivanka again...” “It has to work! He has no remorse for what he has done to you. The most important thing for you to do now is to find a way to make him feel remorse and pity for you again. After all, you have already used this strategy to drive Ivanka away!” Theodore asked, “So, what are your plans? How do we put her back into a coma?” Lyla said, “I will send over a few thugs, and I will also send over a hero. Do you understand what I mean, sweetheart?” Chiara inhaled deeply. “Ok. I will get ready right now.” “Alright. Give Mindy a call after twenty minutes. After twenty-five minutes, dress nicely and leave the mansion.” Chiara said, “Okay. Got it.” The audio file ended. Ivanka was shocked. She had not expected Belle to discover such evidence. Everything happened naturally. Everyone could sense that something was wrong with them. After lea
After Ivanka was divorced, she deleted all entries of Michael’s contact. However, she saved Evan’s contact, because she did not take things personally. Michael’s expression grew increasingly troubled. The evidence laid out before him one after another. His gaze turned murderously cold.Meanwhile, Ivanka remained aloof. She smirked. “Mr. Barkworth, I’ve uncovered the truth for you. Are you satisfied?” Michael wordlessly stood up and left. His expression was dark. Ivanka raised one of her eyebrows. It seemed as though she had never before seen Michael’s bone-chilling gazes during their three years of marriage. She was a little surprised. Nonetheless, she was happy that Chiara would suffer a miserable life soon. However, this was just the beginning. Ivanka would slowly reveal to Michael Chiara’s details of acting paralyzed so that he would realize how blinded he was to have believed in a femme fatale. Ivanka turned off her notebook and replied to Belle through WhatsApp.
“Okay.” Anna uttered affirmatively and took her lunch. They went to the single room next door and ate their food. Nonetheless, the trio seemed to find their food tasteless. They ate their food like machines. Anna’s tears streamed all over her face while she ate her food.Sandy looked up and saw Anna’s tears fall into her lunchbox. “Ann…” Anna blinked and quickly turned her head sideways. Ivanka heaved a sigh. The sense of guilt in her heart only grew heavier. Sandy hurriedly said, “Ann, don’t cry. We need to be strong for this. Besides, it doesn’t mean that Hanson’s fate is sealed. He’ll wake. He’s the luckiest star among us. He always overcomes problems.” Anna was already very worried about Hanson. The moment Sandy comforted her, Anna put down her cutlery, covered her face, and sobbed. “I’m scared. Hanson is still very young. He has a bright future ahead. He—” Ivanka looked down. At that moment, she was at a loss for words. Sandy slowly put down her cutlery. Her e
Ivanka nodded without hesitation. “Yes. I won’t consider him to be my boyfriend.” Jonah kept bothering her. Even Michael started to go nuts as he, too, bothered Ivanka. If she got together with Hanson, she would only cause him trouble.“I genuinely treat him as my biological brother.” Ivanka slowly added. Hanson was especially upset when he heard this that day. Sandy’s lips parted to say something, but no words came out. She thought she was in no position to express herself. Both Ivanka and Anna were her good friends. They were as close as siblings. However, the duo and Hanson were involved in a love triangle. Sandy was confused about whom to advice. Anna inhaled deeply. “Alright. If he passes the critical stage and is safe and sound, I’ll confess to him. I know he’ll reject me, but I’d have expressed my feelings to him.” Sandy pursed her lips silently. Although both Ivanka and Anna were her best friends, she thought Ivanka and Hanson were a better match. Perhaps, this was
Ivanka looked at Jonah while struggling to find the right words. There was no longer any point in her asking him why he was here; she knew he was doggedly pursuing her. She would only be asking the obvious. Jonah smiled gently. “I thought you might need company while caring for him.” “No need!” Ivanka quickly refused. She feared Jonah’s presence would upset Hanson, who was currently very fragile. “I still need to go to the hospital. I’d prefer if you kept your distance for now.” “Do you care about him that much?” Jonah asked through narrowed eyes. “He’s like family,” Ivanka said. Ivanka emphasized the word “family” to show how important Hanson was to her. Jonah laughed. “So, you see him as family, not a lover?” Annoyed, Ivanka frowned. Jonah seemed pleased and said, “I came to give you something. I won’t disturb you for a few days. But if you don’t care for yourself, you can’t look after your cherished ones. After all…” He leaned in closer. Ivanka’s expressio
Ivanka did not pay him any mind and got into the car. If Michael dared to chase after her again, she would most definitely kick him out of the car! She would do what she said she would!Michael did not catch up, but he blocked her with his arms wide open. His stance was clear: You can leave. But over my dead body! Ivanka could not possibly drive over Michael. But it was not a problem for Michael to keep blocking her way. Plus, she had just politely rejected his parents. So, it was even more impossible for her to turn back. Ivanka ran out of patience. She held her forehead and frowned. Michael had already drained her last bit of patience. She never imagined that Michael would actually cling to her to such an extent! How would she put it? All her positivity had been drained clean! “Michael, your parents are still at home. Aren’t you afraid they’ll see and laugh at you? I know Grandpa and Grandma are standing by our side now. It’s not like you and I haven’t been in
Ivanka would neither accept the carrot nor the stick approach. Michael had no choice but to persuade her with reason and win her over with affection. Ivanka snorted. “Have you ever given me a chance to have a meal with you before this? As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time for things to come to this state. Things might have passed for you but not for me!” Ivanka’s gaze was razor-sharp. Michael felt his heart clench up. At that moment, his throat was in so much pain that he did not know what else to say to her. Ivanka did not wait for his response. She pushed away his hand and headed out without hesitation. Michael did not stop her. Nonetheless, he went after her and followed behind her. Meanwhile, they heard the sound from the kitchen. Mindy prepared dinner in the kitchen, and Jay helped her out. They had heard their conversation. Out of courtesy, Ivanka went to the kitchen and greeted them. She said with a smile, “Uncle Jay, Aunt Mindy, I’m
Ivanka clenched her fists. Her gaze was filled with ferocity. She looked like she was really going to punch Michael. Michael noticed the anger in her eyes. But since the person was none other than Ivanka, he was willing to take the beating. He even took a step forward and held his head high. “Strike me if you want.” “You!” Ivanka glared at Michael. He truly annoyed her. She reminded herself to keep her composure. She sucked in a deep breath before saying, “Michael, I’ve treated you with respect. You’d better behave yourself.” Right after she finished the sentence, Ivanka left. Before she even took a step forward, Michael grabbed her. “My mom is preparing the dishes inside the kitchen. If you leave now, you’re not showing me any respect. Please stay around to have dinner. Even though we’re already divorced, and it’s impossible for us to get back together again, we’re still friends,” said Michael. Haha! He had been adamant. He was using the same approach to draw close
Mindy’s expression instantly darkened. “What’s with us being prejudiced against her? Had I ever targeted her when she married Michael from the beginning? “She knew how well Rosie had treated her. It’s her own fault for failing to bond with Mic. How could you blame us?” Mindy had always disliked Ivanka. She believed Samuel’s intervention had been the reason for their marriage. It was an arranged marriage. There was no need for the Barkworth’s family to have an arranged marriage. At the end of the day, it was all up to Samuel to choose the bride for Michael. Ever since Ivanka married Michael, aside from the deliberate arrangements, they had hardly shown up together as a couple in public. Mindy did not have any particularly hard feelings for Ivanka. She believed the two would live happily together after getting married. After they divorced, Mindy thought Michael could start all over again. But she did not expect to see their current relationship was no different from when they
It was Jay and Mindy. When Ivanka saw them, a thought came across her mind. She took out a syringe and inserted it into Michael’s arm to unmute him. Michael felt like he had been stung by a bee. It was as though he had been put in jail, only to be freed all of a sudden. Ivanka took away the syringe and gave him a glance with displeasure. “Get out of the car now. Your parents are here—” “Aren’t you entering the house?” Before Ivanka finished her sentence, Michael interrupted her. When he looked at her, his eyes were filled with sincerity and seriousness. But Ivanka rejected him coldly. “Quick! Get out of the car! I’m not joking with you. Get out now!” “Let’s go in together. After all, you’re already here. Are you worried about seeing them?” Michael was undaunted by her emotions and tone. Instead, he stretched out his hand to try to grab Ivanka. Nonetheless, she avoided him with ease. Meanwhile, Jay and Mindy saw them. They walked over to them. Mindy glanced at th
It was no wonder Jonah asked for so many details. All these were facts.Ivanka did not avoid answering his questions. She gave a light smile. “The longest will be half a year.”If the treatment was ineffective after half a year, she would go to Silvania with Vincent.After all, it was not just about her.Upon learning of Ivanka’s decision, Jonah smiled wryly. “Iv, I don’t think it’s an easy feat to treat my legs. How about you go and deal with your stuff first? You can always treat my legs afterward.”Ivanka initially planned to do it that way. But George, Florence, and Margaret had interrupted her plan.Since she had returned to Bostone, why was there a need to travel back and forth again?She might as well treat Jonah’s legs.Besides, Vincent had informed her that it would be highly uncertain whether they could still return to their home country after arriving at Silvania.Ivanka said, “No. I don’t want to make so many trips. I’ll treat your legs for half a year and see if i
It was not an overstatement to say Michael was crossing the line. Nonetheless, Ivanka could not just sit there and watch the two men get into a conflict. Hence, Ivanka pulled Michael to the side and glanced at him. “If you don’t want to be kicked out, you’d better wait here.” But Michael was undaunted by Jonah. Although Jonah had the power to rebuke him in his own territory, Michael refused to allow Jonah to get the upper hand. Ivanka saw the determination in Michael’s eyes. She was very worried that the two might get into a fight. She quickly pulled him back. “Stop making me worry about you. Just wait here! If you dare to come after me, I’ll…” Although she did not finish her sentence, her intention was clear enough. If Michael disobeyed her, she would make him a statue! Understanding this, Michael did not follow Ivanka. But when Jonah turned around and left, the provocation in his eyes was evident. Still, Michael listened to Ivanka. He did not want to offend her. He
Jonah narrowed his eyes while questioning Michael. Still, Michael did not respond to him. Ivanka pursed her lips. She looked displeased when she answered Jonah, “Jonah, there’s no need to speak so harshly. Do you still want me to treat your legs?” She had temporarily made Michael mute. She did that to stop Michael from talking endlessly about those things. Nonetheless, he had still insisted on coming along with her, only to end up being targeted by Jonah. Ivanka had no intention of making Michael mute in front of Jonah. Upon hearing Ivanka’s words, Jonah looked at where she currently stood. She stood in front of Michael. It looked like she was trying to protect him more. As the saying went, true love was portrayed in hard times. This saying was true indeed. It was true that Ivanka cared about Michael. Jonah said gently to Ivanka, “I want you to treat my legs, and I only speak harshly to specific people. I already showed him much respect when he barged into my terri
Michael remained resolute.Ivanka rolled her eyes. “Then stay stubborn. I’ll only fix it when you stop pushing me away.”After she was done speaking, she turned to leave.Michael followed.He even opened the passenger door and got in her car. He was determined to follow her.But Ivanka would not go easy on him.Once inside, she warned him coldly, “Not being able to speak is harder than you think. Follow if you want. Michael, are you sure about this?”Even after her warning, he kept staring straight ahead.She said nothing more and started the engine.Within half an hour, she arrived at Jonah’s mansion.Jonah came out to greet her personally. The moment Ivanka parked the car, Jonah immediately spotted Michael in the passenger seat.The sight of him stirred up bitterness in Jonah. Yet there was nothing he could do.Before Ivanka exited the car, she said to Michael, “Wait here.”Without glancing at him, she walked straight toward Jonah.Her attitude made Michael decide t