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 slightly and remained silent.On the other hand, Sandy said softly, “I’ll get the door. We don’t even know who it is.”Jonah might have invited himself for lunch, or Michael was here to throw another tantrum. Sandy was afraid that Ivanka would have a hard time if she opened the door, so she decided to open it.She swung the door open. Her eyes flashed with surprise when she saw an office lady. “Who are you?”“Is this Iv’s place?” Suki had a tender smile on her face.Sandy subconsciously nodded. “Yes, but who are… Aren’t you Ms. Moore?” Suki smiled. “You know me?”“Of course, I know you! The person I admire most is Iris!” Sandy looked slightly excited. “Are you a good friend of Iv?”Suki’s eyes twinkled with a smile. She nodded. “Yes.”Sandy hurriedly stepped aside. Iris was the one she admired most. Her assistant Suki was also a capable woman in her own right! However, she did not start her own business and had been working with Iris. She loved them both very
Suki smiled. “Yes.”“Wow!”Sandy was so happy that she almost jumped up and started cheering. Ivanka’s eyes flashed with guilt. Sandy was her best friend, but she knew absolutely nothing.She thought. “If she finds out the truth of what happened today, will she hate me?”Ivanka felt conflicted. However, she still pursed her lips and did not tell her.Ivan was a talented person and an elite lawyer. Even though she felt she could win the court case, she might lose if Ivan knew in advance that Jonah had hired Iris. Ivan would do everything possible to win, and there might be some trouble when that happened.Unfortunately for her, it just so happened that Ivan and Sandy were in contact with each other. The relationship between the two was quite odd, but Ivanka did not ask much about it. However, one could never be too careful. She was worried that Ivan would find out if Sandy accidentally spilled the beans.She knew Sandy would not betray her, but she was worried that Ivan would dis
Suki was used to calling her Iris, so she was not used to it when she suddenly had to call her by another name.Ivanka nodded. Under everyone’s gazes, the two of them walked inside.Many men were still looking at Ivanka’s back.The man who talked to Ivanka just now put his hands in his trouser pockets and leaned against the computer desk. He was dressed in a black suit and always radiated an evil vibe.There was a mole on the right side of his handsome face, but it did not make him look ugly. Instead, it made him look even more attractive.He just turned twenty-eight yesterday and was single. However, he was a playboy who had countless girlfriends.He looked at Ivanka’s back and could not help but admire her. “Only an extraordinary beauty like her can be Mr. Barkworth’s wife. I thought she was beautiful when I saw her on the screen, but after meeting her in person, I realized she is more beautiful in real life!”A woman stood opposite him. She had always hated this man for being
Ivanka nodded. What Rosie said was true. Rosie continued, “If Michael were the stranger, why are you resisting him and feeling helpless?” Ivanka was stunned. It was a fact. If a stranger courted her relentlessly, Ivanka would only find them annoying. But she would not resist them. Only she knew the reason she refused to accept them. But when it came to Michael, she treated him differently. From the bottom of her heart, she refused to give him a fair chance to court her. Was it because she was worried that her heart would move for him? Ivanka was startled by the thought. She shook her head as if trying to get that ridiculous thought out. When Rosie saw this, she chuckled. Ivanka was a smart woman. It was sufficient to say all that; too much would be meaningless. Rosie looked up at the moon. She could not help but sigh. “Tonight’s a beautiful moon night. Unfortunately, it’s time for me to go to bed.” After Rosie finished her sentence, she headed to her room. Ivanka
On the other hand, Ivanka had no idea her best friend had “betrayed” her. She helped Rosie into the bedroom. When they passed the garden, Rosie suggested walking inside it. Ivanka was too embarrassed to reject her. So, they came to the garden. The gardeners attended and trimmed the garden daily. It was naturally a sight to behold. There were many rare plants in the garden. Of course, there were also some rare herbal plants in the garden. Ivanka had planted them, and the herbal plants were flourishing. There was a botanical garden encircled within the garden. It contained the herbal plants used to nourish Rosie’s health. While they were walking along the path, the fragrance of flowers, the earthy smell of the soil, and the faint aroma of the herbal plants entered their nostrils. The fragrance lifted their spirits. On top of that, the fragrance could refresh one’s mind. Rosie felt more refreshed as she walked down the path in the garden. She grabbed Ivanka and shared
Within the blink of an eye, it was already 12 a.m.. Ivanka noticed that Rosie had been yawning but still refused to go to bed. Ivanka knew why. While they were chatting, Ivanka occasionally turned to Rosie. While Rosie was wiping off her basal tears, Ivanka and Michael exchanged glances. Ivanka sat beside Rosie and patted her hands gently. Rosie looked more alert, but her eyes were still a little blurry and appeared bloodshot. She had dark rings beneath her eyes. In spite of her exquisite makeup, her dark eye rings were still visible. Of course, it was only visible when Ivanka looked closer at her. Seeing this, Ivanka’s heart ached more for Rosie. Ivanka believed Rosie must have stayed up late or had insomnia when she and Michael went missing. Rosie wanted to receive first-hand information about the missing duo, but she was also worried that she would not be able to face reality. After struggling and battling with her inner conflicts for a month, Rosie’s health de
Speaking of which, this was Michael’s first time seeing Ivanka looking this helpless, and he found this a novelty. Whenever Rosie said things like that, Ivanka usually looked expressionless. She either looked calm, or she pretended to be deaf. Based on her unease and embarrassed look, did that mean her heart began to move for Michael? With that thought in his mind, Michael was eager to find out the answer. At that moment, they heard Candice’s voice. “Why are you staying outside? Did I come at a bad time? I thought I could have dinner immediately after I returned from work.” Ivanka and her group turned around and saw Candice standing not far away from them. She smiled as she looked at them. When Candice noticed Rosie’s teary eyes, she looked surprised and approached them. “Grandma has a sharp tongue, but she’s soft-hearted. She said the two of you were so cruel that you left her and a whole mess behind. She said she would teach you a lesson when you return.” While speaki
Everything had been fine just a moment ago.Why had she suddenly started to distance herself from him?It was probably true that a woman’s mind was unpredictable. Even a strong woman was no exception.Soon, they arrived at the Barkworth family’s mansion.Michael wanted to get out first and open the door for Ivanka, but she stopped him by tapping her soft hand on his shoulder.He looked down at her hand and then looked at her.“Don’t get out yet. I’ll grab a coat for you from inside and come back.”Michael wanted to refuse, but Ivanka had already exited the car.He watched her walk away. He then leaned back against the seat and felt a wave of relaxation.It felt as though he had finally found someone who had his back.He could not help but find it funny when he thought about it. He glanced at the spot where Ivanka had touched his hand and chuckled quietly.In the front seat, the driver felt so awkward about what he had just witnessed that he wished he could hide behind the st
The motorcycle approached them with no sign of slowing down.Michael’s expression turned grim. He quickly pulled Ivanka to the side and turned to shield her with his back.Ivanka felt a sudden spin. By the time she regained her balance, she found herself in Michael’s arms.His embrace was warm and strong. She could smell his familiar scent.It felt as if everything around them had slowed down.Then she heard the sound of water splashing on Michael. She pulled away from his embrace.Michael felt his arm grow light and stared at the empty space where she had been. He could still feel her warmth lingering.He shifted his gaze to Ivanka.Before she could speak, he quickly asked, “Are you okay? Did you get splashed?”She blinked and shook her head.“I’m fine. What about you?”He shook his head, but she did not buy it. She was sure the sound of the water splashing had been loud. There was no way he was not wet.Without hesitation, she grabbed his arm and turned him around.His b
Both Ivanka and Michael walked side by side as they maintained just the right distance between them. They looked great together, and their presence naturally attracted many gazes.It was worth mentioning that it was difficult to tell whether Michael did this on purpose or if it was just a coincidence.Both of them wore black trench coats that day. The styles were quite similar. This made them look even more like a couple in matching outfits.Ivanka’s wavy hair and red lips were striking. The beauty mark by her eye was the perfect finishing touch, which made her look stunning.Despite her beauty, Michael standing beside her did not go unnoticed either. He seemed to be a perfect complement to her.They looked like a perfect match.Ivanka noticed it but said nothing.Michael broke the silence and asked about Ferris and Mandy.“What are you going to do about Ferris and Mandy?”Ivanka did not answer right away.Michael continued, “Just having them arrested seems like getting off t
Mandy was rushed to the hospital.She fainted, but Ferris was not as fortunate.It seemed that he could not accept the fact that he had kicked his own child. He kept shaking his head and muttering, “This can’t be. How could this happen?”He looked like he was losing it.However, the law would not overlook his actions just because of his mental state.Ivanka had seen enough of their mess and was no longer interested in watching them tear each other apart. She asked the police to explain why they were there.“Mr. Clark, Ms. Ivanka has filed a report requesting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding her fall into the water. Following our preliminary inquiry, both you and Ms. Mandy are now considered suspects. We are required to take you both in for further questioning.”Ferris did not respond. He was still unable to process what had just happened.The police followed protocol and arrested him.Ferris was led away with his hands cuffed. He was completely dazed.N
Still, Ferris kept quiet. However, the others in the room did not.A portly shareholder stood up, smacked his lips, and forced a flattering smile. “Isn’t it obvious? Ferris wants to take your place, Ms. Ivanka. Everyone can see it. He’s nothing but a complete traitor!”Once he spoke up, the rest quickly chimed in.“Yeah, he’s a traitor!”Ferris looked around the room. He already knew these people were untrustworthy, but he had not expected them to turn on him so easily.Ivanka, on the other hand, did not seem surprised.She had not taken any action on Ferris and Mandy because she wanted to watch the chaos unfold. These shareholders had sided with Ferris when she was gone, and they switched back just as quickly when she returned.Ferris was no fool. He knew that too. But the sense of isolation he felt at that moment drove him into despair.Still, he was not one to back down easily.He spat in the portly shareholder’s face.“And who the hell are you?” Ferris sneered. “You were