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 nodded, “He’s probably getting close to me for his benefit.”Sandy was doubtful. “I don’t think so. With his prestigious status, there’s no reason for him to do that. While many want to curry favors with you, someone of his stature would only need to avoid antagonizing you. Why would he need to... win you over?”Anna agreed. “I agree. After all, he’s at the very top of the social hierarchy. If he wasn’t sincere about you, why would he try so hard?”Slightly exasperated, Ivanka forced a smile. “I’m divorced. Given his high status and the fact that I'm his arch-rival’s ex-wife, he has no reason to want me.”Going after a woman Michael Barkworth had turned his back on—would only make him look pathetic.Ivanka did not believe Jonah Sadler had any real feelings for her.In her eyes, it was all for personal gain.“Let’s see what he got for you,” Anna urged.With no other choice and knowing her friends wanted to lighten the mood, Ivanka opened the envelope.“This envelope is q
The group looked at Jonah’s bold words in the album.[My Princess: Knowing you’re a lawyer, I didn’t infringe on your portrait rights. I made all these photos myself without anyone’s help. I won’t share them; they are our private memories. Do you like them?]“How romantic!” Sandy exclaimed enviously. “If a man did this for me, I would definitely marry him.”Anna had a bittersweet smile. Deep down, she hoped Ivanka and Hanson Jackson would end up together.Yet, she harbored selfish feelings for Hanson and was secretly relieved that Ivanka would not reciprocate Hanson’s feelings.This contradiction tormented Anna. She knew she should prioritize Hanson’s happiness over wanting him for herself. It gave her an unbearable headache.Unable to stop herself from thinking about Hanson’s recovery, Anna turned away and pretended to get a drink with reddened eyes.Ivanka closed the album and put it back in the envelope.Sandy softly asked, “Ivanka, you’re not returning this album to him, ar
Theodore Lane rubbed his forehead in frustration while speaking sternly, “Do you think I want her to get involved? At this point, do you think I have any control over the situation?“The project is completely public now. Everyone knows what’s happening. If I stop Ivanka from getting involved, they’ll call us petty ingrates. How would you handle that?”Lyla inhaled deeply. She frowned in frustration, but could not find the words.After a pause, she said firmly, “What do we do then? We can’t let Ivanka keep this up. Eventually, she might completely ruin us. After all, she’s already suspicious of us; if she finds out anything more, our whole family won’t be spared!”Theodore’s expression changed, but he still spoke firmly. “Without proof, what can she find out? Stop being irrational. The collaboration is basically official. I’m just not sure yet whether to let her collaborate with Sadler’s or Barkworth’s.”“Not Barkworth’s!” Chiara immediately objected fearfully. “Her ties with Micha
“I deserve everything that’s happening to me now. But please don’t involve my family in my mistakes…” Ethan clasped his hands together and sincerely begged everyone to spare his family. Ivanka spared him a brief glance before turning off her cell phone. Although she was helping herself to some meat, Michael could see how she felt at the moment. “Why don’t we…” Michael asked for her opinion. But before he finished speaking, Ivanka interrupted him. “Now that he’s released a video like that, if I continue to hold him accountable, I’d be the one in the wrong.” Michael immediately replied, “I can step in—” “You? It’s better if you don’t. Everyone knows your relationship with me now.” Before Michael could finish his sentence, Ivanka immediately interrupted him. Although they were not officially remarried, Michael often went out with her. If anyone else were to see this, what difference did it make? Michael understood, but he really could not bear to see Ivanka getting bulli
After they finished taking pictures, Ivanka greeted everyone politely. “After finishing your meal, go home early. It’s snowing, so drive safely. Bye…” Ivanka subconsciously reminded them. She belatedly realized she had been acting as though she was really an idol. Nonetheless, she treated them with sincerity. She had not done this for Michael’s sake. She did this mostly for the sake of the innocent, inexperienced young ladies who had yet entered the society. These young ladies raised their phones warily and asked, “Could we take a picture together?” They were so worried that their invitation would be turned down, so much so that when they talked, they almost bit the skin off their lips. Ivanka could not bear to reject them. It had not been easy for her to finally reach the private room. Michael teased her, “Our celebrity finally arrived. It looks like you’d best wear shades wherever you go in the future.” Ivanka glared at him and said gruffly, “Stop teasing me.” She paused
After that, Ivanka politely bowed to the people who had been watching the drama in the main hall. She smiled at them. “Sorry for making a fool of ourselves. We encountered two tricksters who wanted to eat the meals for free by calling themselves the friends of the restaurant owners. It happened that I know the restaurant owner, so we easily uncovered their tricks.” By saying that, Ivanka was able to save the hot pot restaurant’s and the Barkworth family’s reputation. Her statement could result in a win-win situation, and the reason was acceptable. Ivanka continued, “Sorry for causing a stir and affecting your dining mood. I’ll foot the bill for everyone who dined on the first floor. How does that sound?” She was not trying to curry favor with the people or to show off her wealth. She simply did not want the people to hate the wealthy. One could not deny that this method worked. Right after Ivanka made her statement, the crowd thanked her. The commotion was no more than ju
The young lady did not know what to do, so she turned to the restaurant manager. The restaurant manager nodded in approval. It was only then that the young lady left the restaurant. Before she left, she glared at Coco. Coco glared back at the young lady and pointed at her viciously. Coco shouted, “Come back! I’m not done with you yet! Who permitted you to leave now?!” The young lady’s body shivered a little. Still, she gnashed her teeth and left. Ivanka watched the young lady’s back as she drifted away. Ivanka stood in Coco’s way because she did not want Coco to chase after the young lady. Ivanka did not want to make a big deal out of the situation. Otherwise, the Barkworth family would be the one who suffered disgrace. After all, Coco stayed in the Barkworth family’s mansion, and everyone knew that Rosie doted on her. If it continued, Ivanka was worried about Rosie’s later years… Ivanka rubbed her temples in resignation. It looked like she needed to resolve the issue as
The restaurant manager thought for a moment before saying, “Ms. Fishbourne, the restaurant has its own rules. Only three types of VIPs could reserve our private rooms while the rest could only enjoy normal seats. I have reasons to believe that our front desk told you the same when you called. We may not have empty seats now, but we’ll have one shortly after.” Coco recalled the situation and remembered that it was exactly like what the restaurant manager had mentioned. So what? Things have changed these days. Coco was no longer an ordinary woman. Her words could even move the earth. With that thought in her mind, Coco chuckled. She kept her tyranny and mockery to herself before locking her little finger with the young lady’s at the front desk. The young lady at the front desk looked down at her finger before glancing at the restaurant manager helplessly. The restaurant manager himself, too, was caught in trouble, so he could not do anything else to defend the young lady. C
Little did Coco know that her behavior was no more like a clown in the crowd’s eyes. Ivanka felt disgusted. Although she could not put herself in Coco’s shoes, she could understand the thoughts of a sensitive person. Ivanka could sympathize with a sensitive and cowardly person. But she could not find herself sympathizing with Coco. Coco’s low self-esteem should not be the reason for her to behave like a crook. Michael, on the other hand, already finished discussing with the restaurant manager and entering the private room. Ivanka lagged behind him. She had no intention of entertaining Coco, much less inviting her to eat together. No doubt that the private room was able to accommodate four people. But based on their relationship, Ivanka thought she had been kind enough to not find fault in Coco, much less eating together. Meanwhile, Coco continued to argue with the restaurant manager. She argued until her face reddened. Although the restaurant manager already made hims
The temperature was above freezing point, so the snowflakes melted before they even reached the ground. The trees were covered in snow. At a glance, they looked like a blanket of pristine snow. The big trees looked as if they had been covered in snow-white new clothes. Ivanka was a little surprised at such a scenery. Even though she often went for business trips in the north and had experienced snow, skied, and various other experiences, it was a rare sight to experience snow in their city. Instead of snow, they looked more like an ice sheet. The snow there was different from the cities in the north. They easily fell on their hair. In just a while, their hair turned snowy white. Ivanka took out her phone and took a photo. Then she shared it with her friends in her WhatsApp group. Meanwhile, Michael took photos of Ivanka. Michael hardly posted anything on Twitter. After a moment, he uploaded a photo of Ivanka taking photos of the scenery.The caption was: Experiencing
Michael glanced at Ivanka.Ivanka kept her eyes lowered and focused on nothing in particular. Both of them tacitly agreed not to bring it up.“Let’s go out to eat,” Michael said. Ivanka agreed without hesitation.If they got ready and left at this time, they would be just in time for lunch.She went upstairs to freshen up. Michael did not rush her. He just smiled, as if he was telling her to take her time.Ivanka felt a little embarrassed and touched the tip of her nose. Truthfully, she was the one in a hurry because she was the one starving.Five minutes later, she came back down.She had changed into a long black down coat that reached her ankles. It was practical and warm.But the weather was still unbearably cold. This winter was harsher than usual.“Let’s go.” She rubbed her hands together and looked at Michael.Michael was on his phone. He was smiling and looked relaxed. With just a glance, Ivanka could tell he was probably making a reservation.Their long-standing
Ivanka slept in the next day. By the time she woke up, the sun was already streaming through the window, casting light across her bed and face.In a way, the sunlight had forced her awake.She frowned slightly before slowly opening her eyes. The brightness left spots in her vision, so she instinctively raised a hand to shield herself before getting out of bed.It was already past 10 a.m.She had no idea how she managed to sleep so much, especially after napping all afternoon the day before.Then again, maybe she was just that exhausted. So much had been going on lately.Fortunately, it was Saturday, so she did not have to go to the office.That was probably why her internal clock had not woken her at seven as usual.Come to think of it, her body’s internal clock was quite accommodating.On workdays, no matter how tired she was, she always woke up at seven sharp. But on weekends, that never happened. She could sleep in as much as she wanted, which was pretty great.She lay in