“In the next couple of days? Every time you say that, I feel like you’re lying again.”Rosie’s voice sounded weary and mournful.Ivanka said resignedly, “Of course not, Grandma. I’m not lying to you!”“Then do you have time tonight? Would you like to come and have dinner with me? They won’t be home. It’ll just be the two of us.”Rosie’s voice sounded particularly pitiful. She seemed afraid Ivanka would disagree.If they were talking face-to-face, Ivanka might even see her throwing puppy eyes at her.Naturally, Ivanka could not bear to see her like this. So, she smiled and said, “Sure, I’ll come over tonight to accompany you.”“Really? You’re not lying, are you?”Ivanka chuckled. “Grandma, when have I ever lied to you?”With no one else around, she felt it was okay to go have dinner and chat with Rosie. She had not wanted to do so in the past because not all members of the Barkworth family liked her.“Great!” Rosie instantly became ecstatic, then continued. “I will stay home t
“Haha, okay. I’ll be waiting for you then,” Rosie said enthusiastically. Especially after just having a good nap, she seemed even more energetic.They chatted away and exchanged words as if they were truly family. There was nothing awkward between them.They laughed and talked. Before they knew it, it was already time for dinner.“Mdm. Barkworth, Ms. Ivanka, dinner is ready. Shall we serve the food?”Rosie looked a bit surprised. “It’s already this hour? Yes, please serve the food.”“Yes, ma’am.”Rosie got up with a smile. She was still holding Ivanka’s hand as they walked.However, just as the two of them finished washing their hands and came out, they suddenly noticed the open door of the mansion.When Ivanka and Rosie both looked over and saw Michael standing there, their smiles froze on their faces.Michael raised an eyebrow slightly. “Am I not welcome here?”Ivanka’s gaze showed a hint of surprise.In the past, if she and Rosie had such expressions, his expression would
“You don’t mind, do you?” Rosie did not ask that aloud.Rosie could not bring herself to ask her, nor could she force herself to say that cheekily.Ivanka simply smiled. “Grandma, I remember this dish being your favorite.”With that, she served Rosie some food.She completely avoided talking about Michael.Rosie breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile. “Yes, yes, Iv, you should eat too! I made sure they prepared plenty of your favorite dishes today!”Rosie reciprocated by serving Ivanka some food. They chatted and laughed. Michael was completely ignored. The atmosphere was so warm that Michael seemed like an outsider.Michael, surprisingly, seemed accustomed to this atmosphere and did not feel uncomfortable at all. He even found himself feeling hungry.However, due to Michael’s presence, Ivanka did not plan to stay much longer. She smiled at Rosie and said, “Grandma, I’ve been here for quite a while today, and there’s still some work I need to handle. I’ll come to see
Michael’s smile widened a bit more. “Yes.”Rosie stayed silent. She was unsure of what this little rascal was up to now.Michael did not hesitate or pause. He looked directly at Rosie and said softly, “I want to remarry her.”Rosie was surprised.She did not catch what he said. She continued to stare at Michael, who remained silent and just gazed at his grandmother.After a moment, Rosie realized what he had said. She looked at Michael incredulously, but still managed to speak with a steady voice. “Did I hear you wrong?”What did he say?Michael nodded. “No, you heard right. I want to remarry her.”Rosie’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her entire being radiated incredulity.“You want to remarry her?”Michael nodded. He knew his grandmother would be shocked and dubious. After all, his previous attitude had been so resolute that it was natural for her not to believe him.However, just as he was about to say something, Rosie suddenly stood up in anger and delivered a punch to Mich
Michael was unable to reply.Rosie’s words today were particularly harsh and left Michael struggling to respond. If it were someone else, Michael would not have tolerated it, but then again, nobody else would dare to speak to him like Rosie did.Taking a deep breath, Michael calmed down and spoke to Rosie again, “I’m willing to change for the better now, but Ivanka doesn’t want to see me. So, I hope you can help me with this. Surely, you wouldn’t want to see her become someone else’s granddaughter-in-law. You’ve seen Jonah’s new attitude towards Ivanka.”Rosie’s expression changed at Michael’s words, which hit a sore spot. That was true. How could she bear to see Ivanka marry someone else and become another family’s granddaughter-in-law? She felt a pang of jealousy.However, her grandson was just too unreliable!Rosie found herself at a loss for words for a moment. Her lips parted slightly as she struggled to form a response. Michael could see the grievance in her eyes.However
Michael was dumbfounded.While his grandmother adored Ivanka like her granddaughter, she relegated him, her actual grandson, to someone unrelated to her.He sighed with resignation.Meanwhile, Rosie began talking again. “So, not even YOU are allowed to go near her. If you can’t give me a good reason, not only will I not help you out, but I’ll even stop you!”Michael was speechless once again.If Ivanka was here, she would be very moved.Michael sighed and said in defeat, “That’s right. I like her.”In order to achieve his goal, he did not mind telling a lie.Besides, Ivanka was no longer a girl who fantasized about love and romance. They were a good match. A good match.Michael ruminated on this phrase repeatedly. He seemed to be suppressing some complex emotions.“You…”At that moment, Rosie was at a loss for words. Her eyes were filled with disbelief.Did he really like Ivanka?Michael stared at Rosie wordlessly, but he had made his answer clear.He wanted to remarry
Given the current state of their relationship, Ivanka would have walked the other way at the sight of Michael. She did not want to breathe the same air as him.If not for Rosie, Ivanka would surely not dine with him.Certainly, it was impossible for them to meet up.Michael frowned and stared at Rosie. “Grandma, I need your help with this. After we remarry, I’ll treat her as my wife, the only woman I’ll ever be with. I won’t let her suffer even an ounce of pain. I’ll be a decent husband.”He promised to be a decent spouse, but that was all.Ivanka would enjoy everything that other women had, just not his love.But Michael seemed to have forgotten that Ivanka was never short of material comfort.Apart from love, she wanted nothing else from a man. She had wealth and talent, with a wide social network. She could solve any problem she faced. Besides, she never planned to commit any crime, let alone need help to get out of trouble.Moreover, she no longer needed love.Rosie furrow
Rosie had no idea how to word this. She wondered if she should tell Jay at all.“Huh?” It was the first time Jay had seen his mother so hesitant.“Is it something you can’t tell me?”A glimmer of emotion flashed in Rosie’s eyes. She eventually told Jay about everything that had happened earlier on.There was a look of astonishment in Jay’s eyes. “He wants to get back together with Iv?”Rosie nodded. “But I keep feeling that he’s lying to me. Does he really like Iv? If he doesn’t, I don’t want him to hurt her again.”Jay fell into silent thought.Meanwhile, Rosie prattled on. “I’m just worried. I don’t know what to do. If I urge them to get back together like I used to, it will be unfair to Iv. But what if Michael really regrets it this time? Iv used to love him so much. Even if she has gotten over him now, her love toward him might still linger. What if…”Speaking of that, she paused. But she could not help but start talking again. “Oftentimes, I can’t make them do whatever I w
Egbert stormed off in fury, but Sandy’s rage had not cooled in the slightest. She even lashed out at Ivan. “You shouldn’t have stopped me just now! If I’d given him a good scolding, or even a beating, maybe it would’ve finally knocked some sense into him. Otherwise, he’ll keep coming back. He’s always trying to use me for his own purposes!”She was so angry she was practically grinding her teeth. Ivan pressed his lips together and let out a long sigh. “With the way you looked like you were ready to kill someone, what did you expect me to do? Just stand there and watch you commit murder?”He was really worried when he saw how Sandy was losing control. “What’s the point of that old b*stard still being alive anyway?” Sandy said coldly. If she could really get rid of that old man, she would do it so she could avenge her mother and let go of that grudge she had been holding on.Ivan shook his head and said in a low voice, “Then think about it, how hard did you work to get to where yo
Sandy exploded. “Eighty million? Why don’t you go rob a bank? Or better yet, see if that wrinkled old face of yours is worth anything as collateral!”Sandy was fuming.Egbert had not expected Sandy to be so vulgar. He turned back, enraged.His black eyes shot daggers like he could rip her apart on the spot. Sandy did not flinch. Instead, she lifted her chin and gave him a cold, mocking smile. “What? Are you so mad that you’re thinking about hitting me? Do you want me to remind you of the law? We have no legal ties anymore. If you so much as touch me, that’s assault. And let’s not forget, you barged into my workplace to cause a scene.”“Sandy, I don’t know what kind of twisted morals your birth mother and adoptive mother taught you, but just look at yourself now! Do you even resemble a proper human being?”Egbert was extremely disappointed in Sandy. The one thing Sandy hated most was when people brought up her birth mother and adoptive mother. Those two women were the most import
Egbert snapped at Sandy coldly. His gaze was pressing.However, that had no effect on Sandy. Her lips even curled into a mocking smile as she said, “I’m not one of your McNeil pets. That look, your words, they cannot intimidate me at all.”At the mention of “pets,” Egbert was so furious that he slammed his cane against the floor with a loud crack. “Listen to yourself! Is that any way for a lawyer to speak? Do you even understand the meaning of respect, decency, and manners? Is that how your mother raised you?”Sandy had been mean and harsh on purpose to kill whatever sliver of hope he held onto.Just as she wished, he was angered.Watching him lose his composure, Sandy even felt a flicker of satisfaction rise within her. Her mother and herself were thrown out and lived a tough life while her father stood by uselessly. Who else was to blame, if not this old man standing before her?“My mother raised me to be a decent person. She taught me never to push away what’s rightfully mine,
Thomas stated his purpose.Sandy’s reaction, however, was full of repulsion. She frowned. Even her tone was curt. “Uncle, I made it very clear about seeing him the last time we spoke. He never once considered me part of the McNeil family. If it weren’t for my mother taking me in, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now that I’ve grown up and suddenly seem useful, he wants to claim me back? I was abandoned by the McNeil family the moment I was born. I’m not stupid enough to become a pawn for your family!”Sandy was furious.She had always treated Thomas with a certain courtesy, but at the moment, that line had clearly been crossed.Thomas, though only the messenger, could feel the weight of her resentment. “It may not be as bad as you think. If you won’t go, Dad will come find you himself.”That was the truth. Yet Sandy did not spare the old man a shred of respect. She scoffed. “He might be your dad, your head of the family, but he’s nothing to me. From the moment I was abandoned, th
Sandy was really surprised to see Ivanka. “When did you get back?”“Today,” Ivanka answered honestly.“You have quite a packed schedule for just one day.” Sandy teased her.When they had planned to take down Coco last time, Ivanka was not around. Then Michael returned. From what Sandy could tell, they were always either together or closely following each other.Ivanka did not respond to her teasing. “I’ll only be here for a day or two, then I would have to leave again.”Sandy was speechless. She rolled her eyes at Ivanka. “Are you going to become a full-time jet setter?”“She can’t help it,” Anna answered for Ivanka. Just as she finished saying that, Anna’s phone rang. It was another case to follow up on. She had to step away to take the call.Only Ivanka and Sandy remained in the office. “You look exhausted. If you keep going like this, I’m worried you’ll wear yourself out!” Sandy shook her head and expressed her concern for Ivanka. Ivanka chuckled. “I wouldn’t go that fa
When she heard what Anna said, Ivanka immediately teased. “Why, can’t I even come to the firm?”“Well, of course, you can come. You are an important partner; why can’t you come?” Anna laughed and looked at Ivanka, annoyed. Immediately after, she made a cup of tea for Ivanka.The tea was also of fine quality. She had bought it.Ivanka also remembered how she, Anna, and Sandy, the three of them, used to work hard together in the firm after she divorced Michael. Originally, she wanted to live on her own. However, one thing happened after another, and her plans got delayed. “I don’t see Sandy. Has she gone to handle cases?” Ivanka sipped a mouthful of tea, and immediately after, she asked Anna about Sandy’s whereabouts.Anna told Ivanka truthfully. “Sandy recently took over a very tricky case. She wants to make a not-guilty defense for that person. But the father of the deceased is the Groethe family, a rather prestigious family in Bostone. How could a commoner fight with a rich ki
But as time went on, things happened one after another. While they were in contact with each other, she also slowly understood Jonah’s personality.The most important thing was that Jonah was also honest with her later on.When Jonah mentioned this again, Ivanka could not help but scrutinize Jonah again.He was starting to become unhinged!“Jonah, you need to stabilize your emotions. Sometimes, when you feel impatient, you should just close your eyes and take a good rest. You should not have such emotions.”Ivanka spoke solemnly toward Jonah and advised him. When he saw Ivanka’s serious expression, Jonah instantly also realized that he had lost himself.Ivanka was not like Chiara, who could accept him losing control. If he lost control in front of Ivanka, it would affect Ivanka’s mood. That would make him courting death too! This would put a halt to all his opportunities!Jonah also realized this problem. He was very distressed. He could not even explain why his emotions had
When Ivanka said this, she pressed her hand on Jonah’s shoulder. There was no other meaning, she wanted Jonah to calm down.But this instead gave Jonah an opportunity. He grabbed Ivanka’s wrist. Then he tugged forward forcefully… Ivanka was caught off guard, and her whole body fell on top of him.He then took advantage of the situation and held Ivanka in his arms.The faint scent entered his nose, Jonah was intoxicated for a moment.But at that moment, he felt like he was waking up from a dream.Ivanka could not be so intimate with him. The sensations of touch and warmth in front of him were so real again. It was not an illusion, it was his compulsion!After realizing this, Jonah hurriedly pushed Ivanka away. He even more quickly apologized to Ivanka. “Iv, I’m sorry. I lost control. I didn’t mean to…”“I know.”Ivanka uttered softly, but her tone was cold.She knew. Neither did she blame him. But why was she using that tone, with that look on her face?“No, Iv. you’re blami
“Jonah, I don’t like you. I told you, I only see you as a friend. When I’m unwilling to do something, no amount of moral coercion would work on me.”Ivanka spoke up bluntly. She did not want Jonah to cling to something impossible.Jonah was silent.This was where Jonah and Michael were different.“Look, you still have so many things to do. By the time you remember me, we have already missed the best time. This time when you leave, did Michael go with you?” Jonah raised his eyes to meet Ivanka’s. He wanted to hear Ivanka’s answer from her mouth.Ivanka did not reply. But the look in her eyes already said it all.Her silence confirmed it all.Jonah felt that his heart grow incredibly heavy at the moment. He had a crazy thought: Was it true that if Michael died, Ivanka would be able to focus all her attention on him?However, he was an invalid and did not even have a chance to get close!“The way you treat Michael and the way you treat me has always been so different. I know. A