Xander thought. “How could Michael give up such an excellent wife? He’ll regret it in the future!”If not for Michael still caring for Ivanka, Michael could not have possibly sought Xander’s help to examine her injury. Michael frowned and ignored Xander’s gaze. He said in a deep voice, “Did she suffer any brain trauma? Will she suffer any after-effects?” “No. She’ll be fine as long as she rests well. Since this is an attempted murder, it’s best to protect her well. If not, the culprits might come after her again in the hospital.” Michael’s frown deepened. No one knew what he had in his mind. He seemed to grow increasingly frustrated. Meanwhile, Sandy and Anna looked troubled. Anna said, “I’ll have someone protect her.” The Baldwin family was quite a powerful family. “Everyone, out.” After Michael said that, he pulled out a chair and sat before Ivanka’s bed. He looked particularly regal. It was as if he was pure-blooded royalty. Sandy frowned. “What are you doing? I’l
Sandy subconsciously nodded. “That’s right. I need to save up my energy so that I can appear before Iv as if nothing had happened!” Anna sighed and nodded. “That should be it! Take a rest now. I’ll keep you company.” “No need. I just had a minor injury. You don’t need to accompany me. You should accompany Hanson. Don’t let him get suspicious about our absence. Besides—” Sandy paused for a moment. “Based on Iv’s condition, she wouldn’t be able to visit him for some time. How are we going to hide this from Hanson?” Anna’s eyes flickered. Sandy seemed to have thought of something and said, “I got an idea!” Anna’s eyes lit up. “What is it?” “Tell him that the company sent me out of town on a business trip. The task given is a challenging one. Without Iv, I can’t handle it, so I dragged Iv with me.” “Hmm…” Anna hesitated. After giving it a thought, she nodded. “We don’t have a choice. But Iv hadn’t informed him of anything…” “You can explain to him that both of us left in
Michael said in a deep voice, “Cause Jonah some trouble.” Michael did not want to see that man again. Evan paused mid-stride and nodded. Meanwhile, Xander grinned wordlessly. Both Xander and Evan left the ward. Michael was left alone with Ivanka. In the past, Ivanka would appear uncomfortable whenever Michael appeared before her. She would try to stay away from him. However, this time, Ivanka was in a coma. While sleeping on the bed, she looked gentler than usual. Luckily, her fair and exquisite face was unscathed. Michael raised a hand and put it on her cheek. He could not help but rest his hand on her delicate and fair skin. The next moment, he recovered his senses. His expression instantly changed, and he immediately removed his hand. He frowned while staring at Ivanka coldly. “You were my wife…” His frown deepened, and he fell silent. His heart was full of complicated and inexplicable emotions. He was immensely frustrated. ... Meanwhile, at the Lan
But who would have expected Ivanka to be so lucky? She could survive a truck sandwich attempt on the dangerous road. She was very fortunate. Lyla gripped her phone tightly. “This is an unexpected situation. We can’t possibly contact the two drivers. We could only leave the matter be. You need to keep yourself in check. Don’t do anything outrageous and raise their suspicion.” Chiara nodded seriously. “How annoying! Since Ivanka is in the hospital, we need to visit her.” Right after she finished speaking, she received a message. Chiara subconsciously tapped to open the message. Upon reading the message, her face twisted into absolute savagery. “F*ck!” Lyla frowned. “What is it?” She turned to look at Chiara’s phone and read the WhatsApp message displayed on the screen. Belle: Ms. Chiara, Mr. Barkworth is inside Ms. Ivanka’s ward. Chiara gritted her teeth. “Why is Michael doing this? Why is he so involved with Ivanka? He even visits her when she is hospitalized. Why? Do
Michael turned. He was stunned to see his father. Jay seemed slightly taken aback. “I’m surprised that you came.” Michael looked away and ignored him. Jay went over to Ivanka’s bed. He sighed when he saw her weak appearance. “She only broke a rib after falling from such a height. She’s truly lucky.” “Lucky?” Michael’s eyes glinted in mockery. Puzzled, Jay turned to him. “Why?” Michael remained silent. Michael was aware that it was not Ivanka’s luck that had saved her life. Her sharp mind and driving abilities were the reason she survived today. Few young ladies could do what Ivanka did. She had not only chosen the safest method to ease the situation but had also protected her friend. Michael’s gaze turned complicated. He had always thought Ivanka to be an extremely scheming, vain, and selfish woman. However, when the accident happened, she was able to protect Sandy. Michael thought. “Is she the same Ivanka that I know?” After they divorced, she completely changed.
Chiara bit her bottom lip. Her face—deliberately made pale with makeup—turned even paler. She could never have imagined Michael saying something like that.The whole nation was aware that she and Michael were set to get engaged. When people saw her, they would butter her up and congratulate her, but Michael suddenly said that he would not get engaged to her. Would she end up like Ivanka and become everyone’s laughing stock?!What was Michael doing?!She was tempted to push the door open and demand answers, but the door kept her rage in place. She lacked the courage to even walk into the room.She was afraid that after she entered, Michael would just say, “You’re here just in time, I’ll tell you now so I won’t have to go tell you again.”With gritted teeth, Chiara tightened her grip on her bag and waited for Michael’s response to Jay. “I-Is he really sure?!” Then, she heard this. “I’m sure.”The answer was firm and delivered in a steady, determined voice.It was a heavy b
He recalled the moment he learned of Ivanka’s accident while he was at the office.…As the two of them quickly got into the car, Evan updated him. “While Ms. Ivanka was driving home on an extremely dangerous road, she was attacked by two trucks and drove the car into a chasm.”Michael’s expression changed. His heart sank into his stomach.“Where is she right now?!”Michael felt weak back then. He did not know how he mustered the strength to say that. Evan shook his head awkwardly. “For now…we’re not sure about that.”Boom!It was like a bolt from the blue for him. Michael rushed out immediately.At that moment, he seemed to understand what panic felt like. “Mic?”The sudden voice brought him back from his reverie. Michael pressed his lips together tightly. He did not look at her and kept silent. Chiara’s expression shifted a little. Michael did not hear a single word she said. But Jay was kind enough to gently tell her, “This incident is so big that almost everyon
Chiara stiffened up. She quickly realized something and got to her feet. “I-I’ll wait outside for a bit.”The two men watched her walk out of the room. After Chiara shut the door, she suddenly realized—why would she need to leave the room?Since Chiara was Ivanka’s cousin, it was natural that she took care of her in her ward.They could talk outside the room if they needed to!Why did they have to talk about it in Ivanka’s ward?They could have left right away if they had business to attend to!She could only stand by the door with a sour expression.…At that same moment, Hanson lay in bed in a different ward with a faint smile on his lips.However, that smile did not reach his eyes.Anna’s heart ached when she looked at him, but she assumed that it was a normal thing. After a while, Hanson softly said, “I’m feeling much better than before. You don’t have to take care of me every day. I’ll be fine.”Now that Ivanka had accepted him, he should not be alone with another
“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