Chiara understood her own mother. She would not be acting like this if something big had not happened. She could usually handle them. Moreover, whenever she ran into trouble, her mother kept trying to find ways to help her deal with all kinds of things. Her mother’s state of mind was still good, regardless of whether she succeeded or not. But now, she was completely off. Even Chiara could feel that she was holding back.“Nothing much happened. All you need to do is just to get well. You don’t need to worry about them.” Lyla forced a smile at Chiara and spoke with a calm expression.“At this point, what can’t I accept? If you don’t tell me, it’s one less person to bounce ideas off of. No matter when or where we are, we’re family. How many outsiders could be of help?”Lyla’s anger seemed to grow even more. Did they still need outsiders to do anything else? Theodore alone was enough! If not for him, how could something like this happen at home? Now that she thought about it, sh
Therefore, she was completely cut off from contact with the outside world. Every day, all she could see was trash on her phone. So, she had no idea what was happening at the company.“Where is Dad? He hasn’t come to see me lately.”She asked casually, but Lyla looked slightly annoyed as she said, “He’s been tied up with a lot of things lately. He probably doesn’t have time to visit you.”Chiara frowned again. Lyla could only sigh. “The company has a lot on its plate right now. Ivanka is still running amok. She has gained many supporters. Your dad has been worrying about these things lately. Chiara, he really doesn’t have time to come see you.”Lyla was really worried that Chiara might get too worked up again. After all, even if she did not lose it this time, she was teetering on the edge.Chiara frowned. “Was this all that was bothering you earlier?”“Yes.” Lyla sighed resignedly.Chiara continued to stare at her. She still felt that something was off.Her mother’s expression w
Lyla did not believe for a moment that Mindy had any genuine intention of visiting her daughter.As she spoke, Lyla scrutinized Mindy. She felt a level of nervousness that perhaps no one else could comprehend. While she worried, Mindy spoke up.“Nothing much.”Lyla sighed in relief. It seemed that Mindy was unaware of it, or perhaps she had no intention of holding them accountable, maybe due to lack of evidence?“I just wanted to drop by and see how you all were doing. If it’s not convenient, I’ll leave then.” Mindy’s tone was nonchalant, but beneath the calmness of her eyes lay an inscrutable depth.Lyla furrowed her brow instinctively. She wanted to ask what exactly Mindy meant by coming here, but she could not ask her directly. Saying too much might arouse suspicion, and Mindy may be here today to test her.With that in mind, Lyla decided not to engage in further conversation with Mindy. She simply nodded.“Thank you for making the effort to come, Mrs. Barkworth.”Mindy glan
He was dressed in a black tracksuit, with sunlight bathing on him. At this moment, he looked even more like a radiant youth. He was dazzling and impossible to look away from.“Hi, what a small world.”“Darn it! You scared the hell out of me!” Sandy was genuinely startled. She could not help but punch his shoulder after she said that.Ivan burst into laughter. Flashing his bright white teeth, he grinned at Sandy and said, “You’re getting rougher and rougher. But I get it, hitting is affection, scolding is love. Am I right?”Sandy glared at him angrily. “Are you insane?”“Look at you, I just said, hitting is affection, scolding is love! And now you’re scolding me again. I can tell, you truly love me.”Sandy was fuming!“You’re crazy! You keep popping up out of nowhere, saying these weird things. Aren’t you afraid this would upset your girlfriend?”Ivan casually rested his hand on the back of Sandy’s chair, which caused her to immediately shift forward as she was afraid of being p
Ivanka sensed something was off and followed Sandy’s gaze, only to find Michael already sitting beside her.Her expression immediately darkened.Seeing Michael, Ivan did not seem surprised at all. He lounged back in his chair with his legs crossed and casually rested his right hand on the back of Sandy’s chair with a demeanor of nonchalance.However, the words that came out of his mouth were prickling. “Hey, Mr. Barkworth, what are the odds of seeing you here?”Sandy snorted. “Who are you trying to fool with this act? Even an idiot could tell that you two came here together.”Ivan could not help but let out a chuckle. He leaned in toward Sandy and teased her. “Why are you calling yourself an idiot? You’re still a young girl. Don’t say that about yourself.”“Screw you!” Sandy cursed angrily. She was not one to use foul language much when she was with Ivanka and the others.However, she could not contain her rage against Ivan.This jerk had been trying to snatch that thing from h
Just as Ivan finished speaking, the atmosphere around them suddenly became tense.Ivan did not know how to respond to that.Michael swiftly stood up and walked away.“Hey, hey, hey...” Ivan’s expression seemed to darken more. Giving up when he could not win, oh, his darn ego. This stubborn man might never win Ivanka back for the rest of his life.While Ivan muttered to himself, he got up and hurried after Michael. However, before leaving, he glanced back at Ivanka and Sandy and flashed a grin. “Until next time!”“Never again!” Sandy responded without hesitation, while Ivanka could not help but curl her lips. She seemed to be suppressing a chuckle.Ivan immediately pointed a finger at Sandy. Seeing Michael had already walked far ahead, he quickly caught up with him.Sandy snorted coldly. “B*stard! Always eyeing my stuff! Can’t he just give up already?”Ivanka sighed with resignation. “The relationship between you two is actually quite complicated.”“I don’t care! Even if she’s
Ivanka pursed her lips and chose to remain silent.The situation was indeed as it was: at an impasse. Neither party was willing to back down or compromise. It seemed there was no other option but to continue this way.The food arrived shortly after. Sandy took a whiff of the fragrant pasta in her bowl and smiled. “Smells so good! Let’s dig in!”Ivanka nodded and smiled. “Agreed.”They said nothing more about Ivan. After eating, Sandy could not help but look at Ivanka. “Iv, what’s going on with Michael just now? He…”Sandy did not finish the rest of her sentence. She did not know how to continue.Ivanka frowned. “He wants to remarry me.”Sandy’s eyes widened in disbelief.She exclaimed loudly. “Holy mother of God! Seriously? He actually wants to…”She stopped abruptly and covered her mouth with her hand. She was afraid she could not hold herself back and finish the rest of her sentence. Many nearby diners had already turned their attention toward them.Ivanka felt nervous fo
After saying that, Sandy felt helpless for Ivanka. It was true that she should find a way, but what solutions could there be?With Jonah, Ivanka had always been firm in her refusal, but at work, there were always personal favors and business matters involved.As for Michael, he actively sought Ivanka out and kept pestering her.It was the same with Hanson.Anyone would feel overwhelmed in her shoes.No matter how you turned them away, they still came knocking at your door. What could be done in such a situation?Sandy sighed with resignation. “I’m starting to feel sorry for you. You’re really in a tough spot.”Ivanka raised her hand and gently pressed her temples. “It’s okay. I’ll take it one step at a time and solve each issue as it comes.”There was nothing else she could do anyway.Sandy nodded. She was unsure of what to say for a moment. They sat together on the sofa. Ivanka turned on the television.But before she could play anything, her phone suddenly rang.Ivanka anx