Ivanka curled her lip. “Thank you, then, Mrs. Barkworth. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.” Mindy’s expression slightly changed. Her rage was about to burst forth! She thought. “So, Ivanka really wants a divorce?” However, she snorted the next second. “Ivanka, you are doing this on purpose, aren’t you? You are aware that if you divorce Michael at a time like this, it will jeopardize Barkworth’s Group’s negotiation of the project. The project is worth at least ten billion. You want to get something out of it, don’t you? Or perhaps you would like to take advantage of the divorce settlement negotiations to get some shares? Ivanka snorted with rage. She finally knew who Michael took after. He was just as arrogant as his mother. She thought. “It’s true that the Barkworths are rich, I have plenty of money too!” Her lip slightly curled. “You are overthinking it, Mrs. Barkworth. I’m not taking a single penny from your family, as is written plainly in the settlement a
This time, Rosie was truly furious. “Mindy, watch your words! Go back to your room now!” Mindy frowned, but she still disobeyed Rosie. She said to Ivanka sullenly, “Ivanka, I can say worse things, but I suppose you don’t need me to tell you more because you know it yourself. Now, you have two options.”Ivanka raised an eyebrow. “Go on.” Her nonchalant tone infuriated Mindy even more, but she believed that Ivanka would panic after hearing what she was about to tell her. “First, if you get a divorce, the Barkworths will cut ties with you completely. We won’t give you a single penny. Second…” “You may stop. I chose the first option.” Ivanka interrupted her without any hesitation. Mindy felt like she was going to spit blood. Ivanka sneered at her. She said gently to Rosie without giving Mindy another look, “Grandma, it’s getting late. I don’t intend to stay. Have an early night.” Rosie nodded in a hurry. “My dear child, stay safe on your way home.” “Ivanka, convene a press c
He rested his hands on her sides, while one of his hands was still grabbing her wrist.They were standing so close that they could feel each other’s breath.Ivanka had a panicked expression on her face. She struggled hard, but men were much stronger than women. The outcome was predictable. Ivanka gritted her teeth and said angrily, “Michael, what the hell are you doing? What are you and your family doing?” “What are we doing?” Michael’s voice was icy. He continued to glare sternly at her. It was as if he could not wait to choke her to death right then. “No matter what we have done, we could've never been as crazy as you! You asked me for a divorce at the party. Were you insane, Ivanka?” Ivanka snorted. She raised her head to look at him. However, as they were standing too close, she almost ended up kissing him on the tip of his nose. They both trembled a little. Ivanka hurriedly turned her head. She did not dare to get too close to him. She took a breath to calm herself d
Michael remained silent and walked toward the exit. Mindy immediately held Michael back. “Mic.” Michael stopped. “Is there anything else?” “Are you really going to divorce her?” Michael looked calm. “What happened today created a huge buzz. If I don’t divorce her, I will become a laughingstock. How am I going to talk business with clients in the future?” Mindy had a resentful expression on her face. “So, you’re going to give the project up.” Michael sneered. “And Jonah will reap the benefits.” Although Michael’s marriage had nothing to do with the project, he already had a bad reputation. People would question his capability and character if they discovered he was getting a divorce now. It was different for Jonah. He might be known as a womanizer, but he was still single. In Michael’s case, anyone could see that Chiara was the reason they got divorced. Cheating on your wife and being a womanizer as a single man were two entirely different things. Mindy gritted her
Ivanka stood up and looked at Michael, who was beside her. She smiled and said, “Goodbye, Mr. Barkworth.” Her goodbye sounded like she wished she would never see him again. Michael snorted. Michael did not look at her anymore and walked straight out the door. However, he stopped the moment he walked out the door. Ivanka almost hit his back. And as soon as she looked up, she saw Jonah leaning against the wall with his hands in his pants pockets. He was waiting for her. Ivanka’s eyes flickered with surprise. She thought. “What is he doing here?” Jonah smiled. “Mr. Barkworth, we meet again.” Michael’s expression grew darker. He stared coldly at him. “Mr. Sadler, careful not to get blown away in the tempest.” It was a warning. Jonah did not mind. “It’s okay. I’m strong.” Michael sneered. He turned around and left. Jonah shifted his gaze to Ivanka. He looked at her adoringly with a smile in his eyes. “Congratulations on being single again.” Ivanka’s eyes flickered
“Everything is about money! All they care about is money. Is money really that important? I wish the Barkworths could go bankrupt right now! Our lives were much happier when we didn’t have money! Your grandpa used to be a different man! But now… Oh, it all changed! Everything changed!” Resigned weariness flashed across Ivanka’s eyes. “Grandma…” “Oh, they even cost me such a good granddaughter-in-law. It makes me sad.” Ivanka smiled. “But Grandma, I’m still your granddaughter, aren’t I?” “That’s right! Yes, you’re my granddaughter! I don’t want them anymore!” Ivanka talked with Rosie a little longer to soothe her feelings before hanging up. She used to hear Grandma complain that the Barkworths had become so rich that their hearts and minds had changed. She had said several times that she wished the Barkworths were not so rich. So, next… Ivanka’s eyes flickered thoughtfully. Jonah turned his head and looked at her. “I suddenly crave for your roasted pork. Can I dine at
Chiara immediately got up and picked up the phone. The caller had already finished reporting before she said anything. The grin on Chiara’s face widened. “I see.” Then, she hung up and looked at her parents with a smile on her face. Lyla was very surprised. “They’re divorced?” Chiara smiled and nodded. “Yes, they are.” Theodore was also surprised. “What a wealthy family. They just gave up on a ten-billion-dollar contract so easily.” Chiara smiled. “None of that matters. The point is, I will be able to marry into their family soon. Michael has always been good to me. His grandfather and mother love me.” Lyla smiled and nodded. “Of course. Our daughter is such a wonderful girl! I raised you and cultivated you personally. You are elegant and noble, generous, and exceptionally smart. Everyone loves you.” Theodore laughed. “That’s right! If I had worked harder before, you and your mother’s lives would have been better. Ivanka wouldn’t have been the one married into the Barkw
Ivanka subconsciously looked up and turned around to look at the man beside her. The car had stopped at that moment. Jonah looked at her with a smile. “The Internet is full of nonsense. If it makes you upset, there is someplace I can take you to.” Ivanka smiled a little. “I’m not upset. I was just observing the current situation. I was wondering if I would be pelted with eggs when I leave my house.” Jonah just stared at her in silence. Ivanka took the phone back from his hand and said gratefully, “Thank you for the ride, Mr. Sadler. Just let me know when the hearing is going to be held. See you again, Mr. Sadler.” As she finished saying that, she got out of the car. He watched her close the door and enter her unit. He did not move from the spot. His phone suddenly rang, and Jonah answered it. “Mr. Sadler, they are divorced.” “Okay.” “Should we execute the plan, then?” As Ivanka had walked out of his sight, he withdrew his gaze and said with an indifferent expressi
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