Chiara’s pupils contracted slightly, but she kept her face down and out of view.Ivanka did not bother to glance at her. She knew full well what Chiara was thinking.When Chiara remained silent, Ivanka simply smiled. “If you truly wish to wallow in self-pity like this, by all means.”It sounded like she was deeply disappointed at her, but to the three of them, her words carried a different weight.It was highly likely that this was Ivanka’s genuine intention. She wanted Chiara to spend the rest of her life in this state.Lyla’s expression grew grimmer. She took a deep breath. “Iv, how could you say such things? You two are sisters!”Ivanka smiled indifferently and replied, “That’s just how the world works. It’s survival of the fittest. If you don’t have the ability, you’ll be eliminated. If Chiara chooses to wallow in self-pity and melancholy like this, then it’s better for her to stay here. It could become her refuge, where she can isolate herself in her own world and perhaps fi
Chiara bit her lip and exclaimed angrily. “I know! But that woman is despicable!”She was confident of outsmarting even police interrogations, but Ivanka easily got under her skin!She harbored deep-seated resentment and hatred toward Ivanka!Her restraint from the recent encounter was already commendable!There was intense anger in Theodore’s eyes. “I’ll teach her a lesson one day!”Lyla glanced at him wordlessly. Ivanka had changed. She often led them by the nose.Several times, she left them unable to resist. How could they possibly teach her a lesson next?...Ivanka and Sandy laughed heartily as they left. “Iv, you really have a knack for this! I nearly died from laughter! But Chiara really knows how to disguise herself. You can’t tell anything’s wrong with her at all.”Ivanka sneered. “If she gave herself away that easily, the police would have already noticed something by now.”“Are we just going to let this slide then? Would she keep pretending to be crazy?”“No way.
She finally spoke after some hesitation. “Where are you?”“I’m heading out of the airport. Let’s meet up somewhere nearby. Just find a place and wait for me.”Jonah must be aware of the current situation’s development, yet he had not intervened. He had always respected her decisions. Ivanka was grateful for this.If Jonah had interfered, the situation could have become much more complicated, or their plans could have been thwarted.“Okay.”With that, they hung up.Sandy’s lips curled up. “Wow, looks like you’ve got another admirer knocking on your door.”Ivanka lightly tapped Sandy’s forehead with a hand. “What’s going on in that head of yours every day?”“I think about important matters, of course! But seriously, have you never considered Jonah? He’s handsome, powerful, wealthy, and he’s at the top of the pyramid.”Ivanka sighed. “I’ve said it before, I’m not considering him. I’m meeting him later, so let’s find a restaurant nearby.”“All right. I’ll go with you, but I’ll wa
“Iv, do you know why Barkworth’s Group was able to snatch your proposal so easily?”Ivanka pursed her lips. “Yes.”Jonah handed her a spoon and spoke softly, “Lane’s Group is your biggest priority, so I’m willing to help you, but I won’t let you rekindle things with him.”Ivanka looked calmly at Jonah. “I’ve said this before. We will never go back together.”Jonah sat opposite her. His gentle smile remained, but the danger in his eyes was palpable. It would frighten others.Well, except for Ivanka, of course.Sandy, who was sitting in the adjacent room, suddenly felt a chill in the air. Puzzled, she looked outside. It was a bright, sunny day and most definitely not winter....Jonah narrowed his eyes silently.Ivanka looked at the dangerous man before her and said, “Nothing will ever happen between Michael and me or between you and me. Jonah, if possible, we can be friends.”“Friends,” Jonah murmured.After saying that, he chuckled and smiled faintly. “Seems like I’ve made s
Ivanka never liked playing games or leading men on. It was a matter of integrity.“All right, I understand.” Jonah chuckled. He did not seem uncomfortable at all. He even seemed oddly pleased.Previously, she used to address him as Mr. Sadler, but now, whether it was out of guilt or for some other reason, she was calling him by name. It was already a significant improvement. He was very satisfied.Ivanka frowned slightly. She was unsure of what he was thinking. However, she had made herself clear. If she emphasized further, she would be overreacting.She dropped the matter and spoke calmly, “I’ll come up with a project within ten days. What aspects are you interested in, and when do you want to execute it?”“We can wait until you have some free time to execute it, and it can also involve substantial investment. However, it must be kept confidential. I don’t want anyone to sabotage our collaboration.”Jonah implied that he did not want Michael to know.Ivanka did not object to th
Ivanka did not move.Jonah’s phone was ringing.Jonah glanced at Ivanka, gave her a light nod, and picked up the call.“What’s the matter?”“Mr. Sadler, Miss Munroe is here for you. She said she’s got a project that interests you greatly.”When Ivanka heard that name, she immediately knew who it was.Miss Monroe was Athena Monroe.She was the heiress of the Munroe family. Munroe’s Group was also a well-known corporation in Bostone. Although they were not as famous as Barkworth’s Group and Sadler’s Group, they were much bigger than Lane’s Group.Besides, Athena was the only daughter of the chairman of Munroe’s Group. Adored and pampered, she was inarguably the heiress-apparent. She was smart and competent, but she was also a steadfast romantic. She had fancied Jonah for many years.Although Jonah was known for his playboy persona, he never had any intimate contact with Athena, who had both beauty and brains.They were not close, but Athena never stopped trying to win his hea
Ivanka picked up her phone and called Sandy.Sandy answered immediately. “What is it, babe? Are you done?”“Yeah, you can come over now.”“Sure!”Sandy rushed over. When she opened the door, she did not take a proper look at the people in the room and immediately said with a grin, “Hey, look how considerate I am! I was worried that I’d be too big of a third wheel and get in your way!”Ivanka was dumbfounded.Sandy, too, was speechless.She only spotted Jonah sitting in the chair the moment she finished talking. He looked at her with a slight smile. “Yeah, you’re considerate indeed. I’m glad that Iv has a bestie like you.”Sandy was even more flabbergasted.Ivanka was speechless.Embarrassed, Sandy put a hand on her forehead. “Ugh…”Jonah’s smile seemingly broadened. He looked over at Ivanka and said gently, “Let’s have dinner together?”“No, thanks. I’m a patient, and I need rest.” At that moment, Ivanka turned down his invitation without hesitation.Jonah raised his brows
Lately, she had been keeping in touch with Hanson. As she thought of him, her phone rang again. Ivanka could only answer it helplessly. “Hanson.”“Iv, are you home? Shall I visit you?”“You’re still recovering. Don’t run around and worry us. Once you’re healed, we can meet as many times as we want. I’ll visit you then.”Hanson’s eyes darkened with desire. “Iv, I really miss you.”Ivanka clutched her phone subconsciously. The ominous feelings in her heart grew.If they kept it up, Hanson’s love for her would only grow, and she would break his heart sooner or later. What should she do?“Hanson, be a little patient, okay?”She could not tell him that she would visit him. It would only make him even more obsessed with her…There was a conflicted look on Ivanka’s face. By right, she had almost recovered, and she was supposed to visit him, but…When should she reveal the truth about their relationship to Hanson?She pursed her lips and was at a loss for what to do.Since Ivanka ha