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
Sandy sighed helplessly. “Hanson must have assumed that he will meet you alone tomorrow. He doesn’t know we’re here either. Why don’t I post a WhatsApp update?”Anna sighed. “Although Hanson’s brain trauma has mostly recovered, he still shouldn’t get agitated and emotional. He can’t drink either. I’m worried that if we tell him the truth, he will start drinking uncontrollably. Even if he doesn’t drink, he’ll still get upset. What do we do then…”This situation stumped them.It was of great concern, or else Ivanka would not have stalled for so long.She narrowed her eyes. She did not know what to say or do.Sandy could not help sighing either. “Forget it for now. Let’s tell Hanson that we’re also at Iv’s place.”With that, she posted the pictures she took of their food to the group chat they shared with Hanson.Sandy: @Hanson. Bro, take a look at this. We were here to make Iv cook for us, then we decided to stay and look after her.Hanson: You aren’t looking after her at all. Yo
Anna furrowed her brows. “But he’s in no condition for any shock. Didn’t you hear what the doctor kept telling us?”The room fell silent again.No one said a word.But shockingly, their phones vibrated at the same time.Hanson sent another message to their group chat.Hanson: Why didn’t you invite me for dinner? I would’ve dropped by.Then, he even sent a pleading-face emoji.Ivanka pursed her lips and eventually sent a message.Ivanka: It was getting late. You shouldn’t stay up late and run around given your condition. We’ll see when you’re well again.Sandy: Yeah. Just look at yourself. Even if Iv agreed to date you, you shouldn’t be so eager and impatient. What if you scare her away?When Hanson saw this message, his heart immediately sank. Had he been holding onto Ivanka too tightly?Would she be repelled by his behavior?Lately, he sensed Ivanka being more distant than usual.After a moment of hesitation, he sent Ivanka a private message.Hanson: Iv, am I scaring you
Ivanka walked out. She was wearing a simple, light yellow casual outfit. With her hair down, she looked like a naive college student. It was a refreshing sight to behold.Hanson was mesmerized.“Iv.”Sandy was dumbfounded. She suddenly realized that she should go away and brush her teeth.Anna was speechless as well. She had been sitting on the couch for a while, but Hanson did not even see her.Ivanka nodded to him and said with a smile, “You’ve arrived. Come over and take a seat.”As she spoke, she walked over to the couch.Anna occupied the middle seat, and Ivanka went over to the seat next to hers. There was no empty spot next to Ivanka for Hanson.He did not mind. Instead, he found another spot nearest to her and sat down.“How do you feel now?”These words had seemed to become Hanson’s catchphrase. Ivanka nodded. “I’m more or less recovered.”Hanson nodded with a gentle smile on his lips and tenderness written all over his handsome face. He only had eyes for Ivanka.
The man was startled, but he dared not overthink. Evan stepped aside. The man walked out of the office.Michael’s gaze fell on Evan, who closed the door and stepped forward. He said with a somber expression, “Mr. Barkworth, Mr. Hanson is at Ms. Ivanka’s house.”Michael’s expression darkened further.He stared at the person before him coldly and said in a grim voice, “Just the two of them?”“No, Miss Baldwin and Miss McNeil are around, but Mr. Hanson is there as Ms. Ivanka’s boyfriend.”As soon as he said that, Evan sensed Michael’s sharp gaze landing on him. It felt as if he was cut by a knife.“Mr. Hanson was in a critical condition a while ago, so everyone fed him a lie. Due to his brain trauma, he could not afford to get emotional. That’s why they haven’t told him the truth. But I’m worried that if they keep this on, Mr. Hanson might just win over Ms. Ivanka with persistence and devotion.”Michael tightened his grip on his pen.In the next second, he let go of it right away.