At that moment, Chiara’s driver was driving her back. Suddenly, her phone rang. Feeling annoyed, she swiped it to unlock it. When she realized it was an audio file, her expression instantly changed. Chiara quickly took out her earphones from her bag. After she put them on, she played the audio file. She realized the audio file contained all the recent recordings, including everything she had said to Ivanka just now. “B*tch! Didn’t she say she didn’t record anything?! “Why did I even trust that b*tch’s words?” When Chiara read the message, she had the urge to murder Ivanka right away. Nonetheless, this time, she did not have the guts to do so. She could not do that anymore. The message was stated clearly. “If you dare lay your hands on either of us, get ready to lose your reputation. I’ll reveal to the world that you’re a hypocrite who pretends to be pure and innocent.” Chiara screamed furiously. The driver was taken aback and immediately stepped on the brake. He looked
Samuel chuckled and said casually, “Theodore, tomorrow is Sunday. Since it’s a holiday, shall we have a family lunch together?” Although surprised, Theodore agreed. “Great. Let’s gather together at noon tomorrow.” Samuel smiled contentedly and said, “Okay. My family is going with me. You and your family should come too. Don’t leave out any of them.” Theodore naturally went along with Samuel. Nonetheless, in his heart, Theodore was confused and sensed something off. He agreed to Samuel with a smile. After chatting for a while, they hung up. Theodore frowned. “Something doesn’t feel right.” Chiara’s expression turned as pale as a ghost. “Are they going to call off the marriage…?” Theodore’s expression darkened. Meanwhile, Lyla frowned deeply. Chiara muttered to herself without looking at her parents. “It’s over… It’s over!” Theodore said darkly, “Why are you so panicky? The Barkworth family needs our help. Besides, they are the ones who have taken the initiative to have
After knowing Michael would terminate his engagement with Chiara, Rosie could finally accept reality. She was content. If one had not yet faced the worst, one might think their current problems are the worst. After going through all this, they realized their experience was not that bad, after all, and it was all within an acceptable range. It was such a complicated feeling. At that moment, the nine of them sat around the table. If this was the past, Samuel and his group would certainly have Michael and Chiara sat together. Today, the two sat very far apart. On top of that, Michael looked frigid. He did not give Chiara a glance throughout the gathering. Chiara felt indescribable sorrow and fear. Nonetheless, she ran out of solutions. She did not know what to do. The bad feeling within her heart only grew stronger. Theodore inhaled deeply. He grinned as he turned to Samuel and said respectfully, “Master Barkworth, why do you want to have a lunch gathering all of a sudden? Do
Chiara thought. “He’s going to talk about something unpleasant before the dishes are even served! How heartless he is!” Lyla’s expression soured. Only fools would not understand what Samuel had meant by that. Theodore’s smile faded. Apparently, they knew what was going on. Mindy saw everything. She looked down as she felt embarrassed to stare at them. Jay thought things would be simpler if Theodore and his family knew what happened. Samuel cleared his throat and said with a weary sigh, “I feel ashamed to speak about this, but this issue is reciprocal. Could you get what I meant?” Theodore, Lyla and Chiara looked stunned. They did not understand what Samuel said. The trio stared at him blankly in unison. Samuel was speechless. He thought. “Why are you three still acting dumb at this moment? What’s the point of acting tough when your deeds are already exposed? Please keep some respect and dignity to yourself, will you?” Samuel did not want to put them down, so he said
Chiara was stunned. She felt as if lightning had struck her. Although she had come with a bad feeling, she had been hopeful. However, things had changed.They had spoken to her face. The Barkworth family wanted to cut ties with her! She would become a laughing stock! “Aunt Mindy, why is it so? Do you truly believe everything the treacherous people have said to you? I hadn’t done anything!” Chiara was cautious with her words. She kept giving explanations and denying everything. Nonetheless, she did not mention what she had been denying. Samuel heaved a sigh and said solemnly, “We’re the ones who proposed to call off the marriage. If you have any grievances, tell us, and we will partially compensate you.” “Compensation, huh?” Theodore scoffed at them. “Although we’re not as reputable as your family, we are equally well-known. You dare abandon my daughter all of a sudden and still think it’s okay to brush off the matter just by compensating us?!” Meanwhile, Lyla could no
Theodore and his family’s expressions changed slightly. They knew the Barkworth family would not give up calling off Michael and Chiara’s marriage. Theodore smirked. “You can call off their marriage if you want to. Why such arrogance?” Michael indifferently glanced at Theodore. Theodore ignored him. He turned to Samuel and said in a deep voice, “Master Barkworth, since you’ve made up your mind, I regret to say that we are not destined to be part of your family. It’s fine to call off their marriage. Likewise, we’ll terminate all of our collaborations too.” Theodore had left them no room for negotiation. Lyla changed her attitude. Although the Barkworth family was great, it was equally important to collaborate with the Lane family. The Lane family could make their projects even more profitable, so she believed the Barkworth family would not easily give up on them. Lyla believed the Barkworth family would beg to make peace with them. When that happened, she wondered if the Barkw
Who would have an appetite in this situation? The attendee headed out and closed the door. Samuel said lightly, “Let’s eat. After all, we still need to finish the food before breaking up.” Theodore was furious. Who would have an appetite in this situation? Theodore had explicitly laid out everything before the Barkworth family. He had even threatened them. At that moment, he was speechless. He could not possibly take back his words. Besides, Samuel had no qualms with Theodore terminating their collaborations. The Barkworth family even took the initiative to pay liquidated damages as compensation, which was normal to have to pay for any breach of contract. They had blocked all of Theodore’s paths! Theodore thought. “So you think you guys are amazing, huh?!” He had no intention of taking his cutlery. It would be all too humiliating to eat with the Barkworth family. They had abandoned Chiara. The Lane family was about to become a laughing stock in the town. How could t
After some time, she finally snapped back to her senses. After realizing he had walked away, she chased after Michael in a panic. “Mic!” she called out in agony.Michael’s grim expression made Chiara’s body tremble. But she could not care less and ran to stop in front of him. “Why won’t you believe me? Mic, I really didn’t do it!”Michael stopped walking. He stared at her and coldly said, “I’m giving you one last chance. Get out of my way.”His cold voice struck through her heart like a jagged dagger of ice covered in thorns.Chiara gasped in pain and burst into tears. It would have worked in the past. The expression on her face would make him feel bad even if he did not feel sorry for her.But now, he was indifferent. Chiara was having trouble breathing at that point, and her brain had stopped working. Chiara watched the man walk past her. She struggled to turn to look at him before all strength suddenly left her body. Her surroundings blurred, and her eyelids grew heavier
Vincent immediately frowned with confusion. But soon enough, a realization dawned on him.The man on the phone was Jonah!Njord and Stella would not assassinate just about anyone. Moreover, they were in Bostone to take care of Ivanka’s business.The only person who kept troubling her was Jonah!“You’d better let them go, Jonah Sadler.”Vincent pressed his lips together. There was a grim look on his face as he frowned.Sitting beside him, Ivanka heard him saying Jonah’s name and was instantly startled. Did Njord and Stella go after Jonah?Did they try to kill him? What was going on?“Why would I let them go? You sent them to kill me. But they failed and ended up getting caught. Since you want me dead, why would I let your subordinates live?” Jonah snorted coldly. There was a look of disdain and ferocity in his eyes.After all, he was a man whose influence and wealth rivaled Michael’s. If someone was after him, he would never back down without retaliating.Vincent said nothing
Njord had no choice but to keep explaining themselves to Jonah so that Jonah would not be suspicious of them.Meanwhile, Njord and Stella observed him secretly and hoped to find a chance to strike.But Jonah was not a fool.As Njord spoke, Jonah kept his eyes on him and Stella. These two looked even less like maintenance staff the longer he observed them, so Jonah remained doubtful.He signaled his men with a nod and a look. The bodyguards around him immediately tried to subdue Njord and Stella.Njord and Stella exchanged glances before striking at lightning speed. They wanted to take down Jonah in order to control his subordinates. However, the bodyguard who stood closest to him gave a kick and instantly parried both of their attacks.Other bodyguards quickly distracted them and drew them away from Jonah.Meanwhile, Jonah noticed that the two of them were skilled fighters. They had obviously gone through professional training!If the fight went on, his bodyguards would certain
Still, Ivanka made a show of reaching out to help Chiara up.Her tone, however, remained clear and unmoved. “Begging me won’t change anything. I’m not Jonah. If you’re going to plead with someone, it might as well be him.”“But he listens to you.” That was why she had to ask her to do it.Ivanka frowned. “Jonah isn’t some little pet I raised. He’s not going to do whatever I say. Melanie, you’re oversimplifying everything. You should really be focusing on how to lock down your next deal and solidify your footing in the Levine family. That’s what matters now. We should order something before a server walks in and sees you like this. That wouldn’t look good, don’t you think?”With that, Ivanka let go of her hand.Chiara had never intended to actually stay kneeling anyway, especially not after Ivanka reached out to help her up. The moment had played its part.She was not going to give up just yet.“Iv, could you at least bring it up to Jonah for me? I… There’s a show at Springvale
Seeing Ivanka about to leave, Chiara quickly got up to block her path.Ivanka smiled and said, “I don’t need anything from you. I really do have something to take care of, so let’s have the meal another time.”“But your schedule is always packed. If I want to see you again, it’ll be nearly impossible. Iv, didn’t you say we’re good friends? Are we not even close enough to share a simple meal?” Chiara drew in a breath. Her voice was laced with disappointmentHer eyes were already turning red.“Hmm, I noticed this cafe serves light meals too. Let’s just eat here.” Since she had not openly fallen out with Chiara yet, and Chiara was so insistent on putting on another act, walking out at that moment would only make her seem like a bad friend.“Iv, they only serve light meals here. I was hoping to treat you to a proper dinner. I... Actually, I was wondering if you could do me another favor?” Chiara asked tentatively.The fox finally showed her tail.No wonder she had laid it on so thic
Chiara lowered her head. “Iv, things have been really difficult for me in my family. Because of your introduction, I got the chance to meet Jonah. You talked about bringing a friend along last time, but neither of them ended up working with me. If I can’t land a deal soon, I’m afraid…”Her voice filled with hesitation, grievance, and sorrow. She sighed.“Aren’t you presenting yourself as Jonah’s fiancee these days?” Ivanka replied coldly. Seeing her act so meek and pitiful, Ivanka sneered.Since she was publicly claiming to be Jonah’s fiancee, surely the Levine family would not be treating her so poorly.“I am, but it’s all fake. And now that you’re back, do you really think Jonah would still let me keep playing as his fiancee?”The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she sounded. Tears even rolled down her cheeks.Ivanka only found the sight nauseating.Chiara’s acting had really reached a masterful level. Honestly, it was such a waste of talent that she was not in showbiz.“Ev
Jonah was the Sadler family’s primary heir.If he was incapable, how could he and Michael have made it onto the list of Bostone’s most sought-after elite bachelors?Hearing him say such things, Ivanka felt horrible.“Jonah, I’m really not as great as you think I am. With everything you have going for you, it’d be very easy for you to find a beauty who loves you. I’ve got things to take care of today. I have to go.” As she said that, she pushed Jonah away.If she kept talking to him like so, it would only make things worse. His emotions were already unstable. If he really did something reckless, it would become a scar neither of them could ever erase.She was set on leaving. Jonah had no way to stop her.He could only ask about her plans for the next day. “Will you be coming by around the same time?”“I’ll come in the afternoon.”Since she was back in Bostone, some matters at Lane’s Group needed her attention.At that point, there was no way she could ask Jonah to move in wit
Realizing Jonah was losing control, Ivanka quickly removed the medication from his body.Her voice was calm. “Jonah, your emotions are very unstable right now. You need to rest. I’ll carefully consider the next step of your treatment.”She turned to leave, but how could Jonah possibly let her go?The moment he reached out to grab her, Ivanka swiftly stepped aside.However, Jonah did not give up.In a moment of desperation, he pushed himself off the bed, only to crash to the floor with a heavy thud.The sound froze Ivanka in her tracks.When she turned around and saw Jonah on the floor, she rushed to his side. “Why would you do this to yourself, Jonah? Please calm down and think about it. Everything I’ve said to you is the truth. Even if we could get married without caring what they think, what about later? What about our future children? Would they have to grow up being treated differently too?”She had seen the end of her marriage to Michael long before it arrived. That was wh
Margaret let out a disdainful laugh. The corners of her mouth curled in contempt. Coupled with the look of disdain in her eyes, her contempt for Ivanka was as clear as day.Ivanka could tell Margaret was trying to provoke her, but she did not take the bait. “I don’t need to go crying in front of Jonah. If I really wanted something, do you honestly think you could stop him from giving it to me?”People in love usually lost all reason.Jonah had proven how stubborn he could be when it came to her. If she so much as hinted at something, he would do it without hesitation. In fact, he would get it done immediately if it meant proving his love to her.She just did not want Jonah to be rejected by his own family. Plus, she had no real expectations when it came to love. If she had cared that much, she would have made her move long ago.To Margaret, Ivanka’s words sounded like clear provocation, so she was not about to back down. “As long as I’m still alive, you really think I’d let so
In the face of Laura’s meltdown, Ivanka’s words seemed a bit smug.She was doing it on purpose.“You! Ivanka, how can you be so shameless as to say such things? Are you still a woman?” Laura’s hand, which was pointing at her angrily, trembled uncontrollably.Laura’s tears fell like a snapped pearl necklace. Ivanka laughed in a low voice. “Of course I am, otherwise how did I become the one Jonah wakes up to every day? Laura, since things have come to this, you’d better hurry home and stop embarrassing yourself here.”“What’s the point of chasing after someone who doesn’t like you like this?”She acknowledged Laura’s persistence toward Jonah. But insisting too much would turn into clinginess. Jonah’s dislike and disdain for Laura was clear. He never once gave Laura a chance. Even so, Laura refused to give up.Sometimes she did not think thoroughly before doing things. “Whether there’s a point to it is not for you to say!”Laura was still persistent.But the next second, Iva