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
Ivanka frowned deeply. Michael was in a horrible state. He had been poisoned and suffered gunshots. He had a strong tolerance to medicine and pain. But it was his mental condition that caused him to fall into this state. Not being fully recovered also added to the burden. Ivanka gave him a white pill which she had formulated by herself. After that, she had the security guard carry Michael into her car. Then, she sent him to the hospital. They arrived at the emergency department. Xavier had finished attending to his patients. When he walked out of his office, he saw Michael being carried into the hospital. He then saw Ivanka beside Michael. Xavier frowned. His expression became tense, and he asked solemnly, “What’s happened to him?” “He’s weak and had previously been poisoned. Since you’re around, you can look after him.” Ivanka summarized Michael’s condition. After hearing Ivanka’s brief explanation, Xavier gave Michael a checklist and put him on a drip. After that,
Since Jonah had come to this and Ivanka was not an ungrateful person, she nodded and gave her word. “Jonah, I’ll give this my all. Don’t worry. As long as it’s within my ability, I’ll help you.” Jonah had to be bound to the wheelchair at the moment. Since Ivanka had shared a similar experience when she took over Lane’s Group back then, she naturally figured out how wolfish and greedy his adversaries would be. Jonah was injured because of her. She swore to give her all to save him from whatever crisis he was facing. Jonah took advantage of this and asked, “What time are you coming tomorrow? I’ll have my assistant get ready.” Ivanka thought for a moment. “Tomorrow afternoon.” She needed to manage her company affairs during the first half of the day. Jonah was content upon hearing her answer. “Good. I’ll wait for you tomorrow.” “Okay.” Ivanka nodded before hanging up. When she returned to her office, she did not expect to see Michael sitting on the couch. She nearly jum
There was only one possibility. Ivanka was calling somebody else. Michael wondered who could strike up such a long conversation with her. Sandy and Ivan had returned to the country. Ivanka’s besties were around her. Even if Ivanka deliberately approached Chiara, she could not possibly have so much to chat with Chiara. If Ivanka’s phone call was business related, there was no need to chat this long. Michael eliminated the possible reasons one by one. In the end, he thought of Jonah. Michael’s expression instantly turned as dark as thunderclouds. His gaze was dull and cold. Evan noticed it. He also saw the call record on Michael’s phone. Evan quickly persuaded Michael, “Mr. Barkworth, Ms. Lane could be tied up with her work, so she couldn’t answer your call. We could go to her workplace now.” Michael said nothing. He gave a cold glance at Evan. Evan got a shock. The next second, Michael turned around and left his office. Looking at Michael’s fading silhouette, Evan wi
It was why Ivanka still came for Jonah in spite of her unpleasant experience with Margaret in the hospital last time. Jonah had been injured because of Ivanka. She came for him only. The other people did not matter to her. Jonah’s heart sank upon hearing her words. His expression tensed up. He could imagine the indifferent look on Ivanka’s face right at that moment. She had that expression on her face simply because he was never really important to her. Jonah was upset precisely because of her indifference to him. He wanted to say something to her but did not know how to begin. He was also not in the position to say that. It did not take long before Ivanka’s gentle but rather indifferent voice rang in his ears, “Jonah, don’t worry. I’ll treat your legs until they recover. Don’t run into any conflicts with your mom because of me.” Her words pulled Jonah’s wandering mind back into the present moment. He felt a heavy weight on his heart. “Iv, I trust you. You don’t need to
Margaret became frustrated and grabbed Ivanka. She could not understand why Ivanka was fine while Jonah ended up in such a bad situation after the accident.Then, Jonah defended Ivanka. There was also all the talk about Ivanka’s treatment. Margaret was curious to see what kind of miracle medicine Ivanka could develop.In the end, Ivanka’s treatment did not work. Moreover, her relationship with Jonah, which had finally started to improve, was once again ruined because of Ivanka.Jonah scoffed. “Mom, I’m not an eight-year-old anymore. You’re saying all this because you want me to go along with your plans for an arranged date, right?”Margaret had not expected Jonah to guess her thoughts. She was about to insist on her point when Jonah spoke first. With a mocking smile, he said sarcastically, “Do you think anyone would date someone like me?”He had a point. But Laura might be one such person.However, Margaret did not like her. She would do anything to keep Laura from becoming her d
“That’s because you want him to fall in love with you!” Margaret snapped.Ivanka chuckled softly. Her tone was edged with sarcasm. “Love? Does it really matter that much?”Margaret felt humiliated and furious. She pointed a finger at Ivanka’s face with a hostile expression. “If it doesn’t matter, why are you doing all this? Stop pretending, Ivanka!”Ivanka let out a bitter laugh. “Pretending? What am I pretending for? Is being divorced a crime? Margaret, you’re a woman too. How would you feel if someone accused you like this?”She hoped Margaret would take a moment to reflect. After all, she was Jonah’s mother, and Ivanka did not want their conflict to escalate.But Margaret was unmoved. Her glare turned colder, sharper, and filled with hatred.“You think I’ll just let this go?” Margaret said sharply. “If it weren’t for you, Jonah wouldn’t be in this mess! I meant every word I said, and nothing will change that.”To her, Ivanka was nothing more than someone scheming to use Jonah
“Ivanka,” Margaret took a deep breath while trying to compose herself. When she looked at Ivanka again, her expression was calm. She said, “I don’t know how deep Jonah’s feelings for you run. What I fear most is that once he becomes fixated on you, that’s it. When he falls for someone, his heart won’t make room for anyone else. In that way, he’s just like his father.”Ivanka’s gaze wavered. She bit her lip and was unsure of what to say.“I beg you, don’t hurt Jonah anymore!” Margaret’s voice carried a note of desperation.Ivanka’s expression turned extremely complicated.There was a time when Jonah came to her only to use her. Back then, they were both using each other. It made things simple.But later, Jonah unexpectedly started talking about marriage. Perhaps it was to provoke Michael, or perhaps he simply wanted to keep her close because she was useful to him.At some point, though, it seemed Jonah had become serious about her. She could not pinpoint when it happened. Perhaps
Jonah frowned in clear disagreement, but he stayed silent. Ivanka’s confident smile reassured him and made him trust her.Eventually, he let go of her wrist.Ivanka noticed Margaret putting on her shoes. She quickly followed, stepping outside just as Margaret was about to get into her car“Margaret,” she called out.Margaret frowned slightly and stood still.Since Jonah had not come out with Ivanka, she decided she could spare a moment to speak with her.She turned and looked at Ivanka coldly.Ivanka softened her tone. “Let’s take a walk.”Margaret did not respond, but her silence was enough of an agreement.They walked slowly around the edge of the mansion. The surrounding area was all part of the Sadler family estate.Margaret suppressed her anger and glanced at Ivanka before speaking in a composed tone, “Alright. What do you want to say?”Ivanka met her gaze briefly before looking ahead and said, “Do you know what will happen if Jonah’s coughing continues?”Margaret’s he
Margaret glared at Ivanka and scoffed, “If there’s an issue, I’ll get another doctor to handle it. It’ll be anyone but you, Ivanka. Haven’t I made myself clear enough? I’ve told you this before.”She hated how Ivanka ignored her warnings and kept coming back to visit Jonah time and again. What if Jonah got too close to her and ended up ruining his reputation? If Jonah had not been here, Margaret would have been even harsher.Ivanka frowned as she met Margaret’s sharp gaze. “I’ve never tried to get close to Jonah like that. We’re just friends. I know I’m not good enough for him, so I’ve never even thought about it.”“You might not have, but he has!” Margaret snapped, raising her voice.“Mom!” Jonah’s expression darkened.Jonah was usually calm and polite. This was the first time Ivanka saw him looking so upset and was about to lose his temper.Ivanka’s eyes flickered with hesitation. She was unsure of what to say.Explaining Jonah’s coughing would do no good. Margaret would not