Michael’s furrowed brow instantly relaxed.The cold aura that surrounded him seemed to dissipate.All eyes were on Michael, with everyone eagerly anticipating what would happen next.Some thought it would be entertaining, while others found it captivating. After all, Michael was truly exceptional!Despite working in his company, encountering Mr. Barkworth was a rare occurrence indeed!If one were lucky, they might catch a glimpse of him during arrival or departure times, but his aloof demeanor deterred any attempts at closeness. He had always maintained a lofty distance. No one dared to approach him too closely, not even to say hello. He would simply walk away without acknowledging anyone.However, at the moment, seeing him appear willing to linger for Ivanka’s sake sparked excitement. Perhaps this was an opportunity to get a closer look at him!Oh, how perfect life would be if such moments became more common!Some people had already forgotten to see how Ivanka would refute Che
“Mr. Barkworth, Ms. Lane, it’s all my fault. I failed to keep my subordinates in line. But… I already told her to get her pay from the finance department. I did not expect her to cause a scene in the company. I’ll bear responsibility for her actions, Mr. Barkworth.”The manager had a regretful expression on his face. His voice was filled with remorse. “I will take responsibility for the impact she brought to the company. I’m willing to bear all the consequences…”The HR manager was genuinely sorry.Chelsea pulled a long face.She immediately looked over at Michael and said, “Mr. Barkworth, I want to report him. He fails to exercise fairness and plays favoritism. I was handling this situation according to protocol, yet I was fired in the end. I think he does not deserve to hold the position of the HR manager.”Ivanka’s thin brows were slightly furrowed.Obviously, she was annoyed by the ruckus.She turned to look at Michael and said calmly, “How are you going to handle this matte
Chelsea was still following Michael, but she dared not catch up to him. She did not want to give up, so she tailed him all the way to the elevator and saw him entering it with Ivanka.“Mr. Barkworth…” She still called after him stubbornly, as if Michael would open the door for her.At that moment, everyone stared at her with varied emotions in their eyes.The HR manager looked at her coldly and said in a solemn voice, I hope you’ll take responsibility for your actions today. Don’t make me waste my breath on you. You know what Mr. Barkworth will do.”With that, the manager did not spare her another look or wait for her response. He turned around and left right away. All around her, one of the employees who disliked Chelsea already began sneering. “Back then, I almost did not pass the interview because of you. If I must be fair and honest, you are certainly problematic. If you were to stay in Barkworth’s Group, you’d only ruin the company’s reputation. Some of my friends who didn’t
“Of course there is.” The sales director curled her lips slowly. She was in her forties, but looked much younger due to her self-care routine.She was also wearing office attire, and she had a great figure. However, there was a striking tattoo on her left cheek. It was a very tiny rose.No one knew why she would tattoo that on her face, but it made her even more charming rather than tacky.“Is there a way to fix this?”Chelsea stared at the woman before her. They had talked to each other once or twice in the past, but outside of those occasions, they mostly did not interact with one another when they met. All they did was exchange nods as a way of greeting. Yet, this woman was willing to help her?This puzzled Chelsea, but she also felt strangely emotional. Those who were close to her did not defend her when she needed them. The only person who gave her a hand was an acquaintance.“Hah.” She thought. How ironic.As she waited for the answer, the sales director, Moana Lemmings, s
Ivanka frowned silently.She thought Michael wanted to assign her work.She followed him all the way into his office. After he closed the door, he looked at her grimly.Ivanka had a puzzled expression on her face. She remained where she was and waited for his instruction.But Michael strode up to her and said in a cold voice, “How long are you going to keep stirring up trouble?”“Stir up trouble?” Ivanka was confused. “What are you saying such weird things?”She thought that she had not once done that in front of him since before they got married.She did all she was supposed to do in her daily life. Even when they were still a lawful couple, she had not fought with Michael because he left to keep Chiara company. She would certainly not do that after the divorce.Seeing Ivanka’s calm yet baffled expression, Michael felt as though he was the one starting a fight unprompted. He suddenly snorted in laughter. “Very well.”Ivanka was even more confused.She knew that Michael never
Ivanka was baffled.She had no idea how to react to Michael.Seeing that there was no important matter to discuss, she immediately said in a somber voice. “You may consider this matter thoroughly. I shall head back to my office and keep working. I’m ready to stop whenever you want to cancel the project.”With that, Ivanka did not say another word to Michael and turned to leave.But Michael seized her arm quickly and did not allow her to get out.Ivanka frowned slightly and turned her eyes on him. “What else do you want?”Michael clenched his teeth. “Do you think I won’t call off this project because of the profits?”Ivanka instantly laughed sarcastically. “Barkworth’s Group is rich and established. Why would you care about the meager profit?”“Very well.” Michael gripped her arm tightly. Before she even knew how to respond, he flung her onto the couch.Ivanka was flabbergasted the whole time. She looked at Michael, who was approaching her, with confusion. “Which one of us is s
Ivanka furrowed her brows tightly and stared at Michael grimly. He was being ridiculous. What did he mean by “play along”?What happened between them? What was she even obliged to “play along” with?Meeting his sharp, unwavering gaze, Ivanka’s patience gradually wore out. At last, she said in a somber voice, “What on earth do you want?”At that moment, Ivanka was lying on the couch with Michael on top of her. She could not free herself from his grip.The look in Michael’s eyes became even colder. Seeing her genuinely clueless expression, his rage grew and seethed for no reason. Michael himself was astounded. Since when did Ivanka manage to affect his emotions? This did not look good.But he could not help saying icily, “What do you think? Now the whole company is talking about us. Ivanka, I have asked you the same questions so many times. Are you that forgetful?”Ivanka said, “What… are you trying to say?”She was genuinely clueless, and the impatience in her eyes only grew, w
Michael had longed for Ivanka’s lips.At that moment, a rush of thoughts flooded his mind.He could smell her familiar scent. Even in the past, he was never averse to her scent. Evan, who was always by Michael’s side, knew his preference. He knew that Michael disliked women with strong perfumes, but Ivanka’s natural scent was comforting to him.Being close to her, Michael could even hear her rapid breathing in his ears. He knew that it was not because she was falling in love with him, but rather, this was her initial reaction born from a mix of panic, fear, and anger. She raised her hand to push Michael away. Michael managed to quickly and skillfully grab her hands, and it left her no chance to struggle. Despite being skilled in taekwondo, Ivanka was subdued by him. She was completely powerless.Her face quickly became pale. What he did was humiliating. She was fuming because she knew that he was doing this on purpose.Yet, with her arms pinned, she could not fight back an
Ivanka did not pay him any mind and got into the car. If Michael dared to chase after her again, she would most definitely kick him out of the car! She would do what she said she would!Michael did not catch up, but he blocked her with his arms wide open. His stance was clear: You can leave. But over my dead body! Ivanka could not possibly drive over Michael. But it was not a problem for Michael to keep blocking her way. Plus, she had just politely rejected his parents. So, it was even more impossible for her to turn back. Ivanka ran out of patience. She held her forehead and frowned. Michael had already drained her last bit of patience. She never imagined that Michael would actually cling to her to such an extent! How would she put it? All her positivity had been drained clean! “Michael, your parents are still at home. Aren’t you afraid they’ll see and laugh at you? I know Grandpa and Grandma are standing by our side now. It’s not like you and I haven’t been in
Ivanka would neither accept the carrot nor the stick approach. Michael had no choice but to persuade her with reason and win her over with affection. Ivanka snorted. “Have you ever given me a chance to have a meal with you before this? As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time for things to come to this state. Things might have passed for you but not for me!” Ivanka’s gaze was razor-sharp. Michael felt his heart clench up. At that moment, his throat was in so much pain that he did not know what else to say to her. Ivanka did not wait for his response. She pushed away his hand and headed out without hesitation. Michael did not stop her. Nonetheless, he went after her and followed behind her. Meanwhile, they heard the sound from the kitchen. Mindy prepared dinner in the kitchen, and Jay helped her out. They had heard their conversation. Out of courtesy, Ivanka went to the kitchen and greeted them. She said with a smile, “Uncle Jay, Aunt Mindy, I’m
Ivanka clenched her fists. Her gaze was filled with ferocity. She looked like she was really going to punch Michael. Michael noticed the anger in her eyes. But since the person was none other than Ivanka, he was willing to take the beating. He even took a step forward and held his head high. “Strike me if you want.” “You!” Ivanka glared at Michael. He truly annoyed her. She reminded herself to keep her composure. She sucked in a deep breath before saying, “Michael, I’ve treated you with respect. You’d better behave yourself.” Right after she finished the sentence, Ivanka left. Before she even took a step forward, Michael grabbed her. “My mom is preparing the dishes inside the kitchen. If you leave now, you’re not showing me any respect. Please stay around to have dinner. Even though we’re already divorced, and it’s impossible for us to get back together again, we’re still friends,” said Michael. Haha! He had been adamant. He was using the same approach to draw close
Mindy’s expression instantly darkened. “What’s with us being prejudiced against her? Had I ever targeted her when she married Michael from the beginning? “She knew how well Rosie had treated her. It’s her own fault for failing to bond with Mic. How could you blame us?” Mindy had always disliked Ivanka. She believed Samuel’s intervention had been the reason for their marriage. It was an arranged marriage. There was no need for the Barkworth’s family to have an arranged marriage. At the end of the day, it was all up to Samuel to choose the bride for Michael. Ever since Ivanka married Michael, aside from the deliberate arrangements, they had hardly shown up together as a couple in public. Mindy did not have any particularly hard feelings for Ivanka. She believed the two would live happily together after getting married. After they divorced, Mindy thought Michael could start all over again. But she did not expect to see their current relationship was no different from when they
It was Jay and Mindy. When Ivanka saw them, a thought came across her mind. She took out a syringe and inserted it into Michael’s arm to unmute him. Michael felt like he had been stung by a bee. It was as though he had been put in jail, only to be freed all of a sudden. Ivanka took away the syringe and gave him a glance with displeasure. “Get out of the car now. Your parents are here—” “Aren’t you entering the house?” Before Ivanka finished her sentence, Michael interrupted her. When he looked at her, his eyes were filled with sincerity and seriousness. But Ivanka rejected him coldly. “Quick! Get out of the car! I’m not joking with you. Get out now!” “Let’s go in together. After all, you’re already here. Are you worried about seeing them?” Michael was undaunted by her emotions and tone. Instead, he stretched out his hand to try to grab Ivanka. Nonetheless, she avoided him with ease. Meanwhile, Jay and Mindy saw them. They walked over to them. Mindy glanced at th
It was no wonder Jonah asked for so many details. All these were facts.Ivanka did not avoid answering his questions. She gave a light smile. “The longest will be half a year.”If the treatment was ineffective after half a year, she would go to Silvania with Vincent.After all, it was not just about her.Upon learning of Ivanka’s decision, Jonah smiled wryly. “Iv, I don’t think it’s an easy feat to treat my legs. How about you go and deal with your stuff first? You can always treat my legs afterward.”Ivanka initially planned to do it that way. But George, Florence, and Margaret had interrupted her plan.Since she had returned to Bostone, why was there a need to travel back and forth again?She might as well treat Jonah’s legs.Besides, Vincent had informed her that it would be highly uncertain whether they could still return to their home country after arriving at Silvania.Ivanka said, “No. I don’t want to make so many trips. I’ll treat your legs for half a year and see if i
It was not an overstatement to say Michael was crossing the line. Nonetheless, Ivanka could not just sit there and watch the two men get into a conflict. Hence, Ivanka pulled Michael to the side and glanced at him. “If you don’t want to be kicked out, you’d better wait here.” But Michael was undaunted by Jonah. Although Jonah had the power to rebuke him in his own territory, Michael refused to allow Jonah to get the upper hand. Ivanka saw the determination in Michael’s eyes. She was very worried that the two might get into a fight. She quickly pulled him back. “Stop making me worry about you. Just wait here! If you dare to come after me, I’ll…” Although she did not finish her sentence, her intention was clear enough. If Michael disobeyed her, she would make him a statue! Understanding this, Michael did not follow Ivanka. But when Jonah turned around and left, the provocation in his eyes was evident. Still, Michael listened to Ivanka. He did not want to offend her. He
Jonah narrowed his eyes while questioning Michael. Still, Michael did not respond to him. Ivanka pursed her lips. She looked displeased when she answered Jonah, “Jonah, there’s no need to speak so harshly. Do you still want me to treat your legs?” She had temporarily made Michael mute. She did that to stop Michael from talking endlessly about those things. Nonetheless, he had still insisted on coming along with her, only to end up being targeted by Jonah. Ivanka had no intention of making Michael mute in front of Jonah. Upon hearing Ivanka’s words, Jonah looked at where she currently stood. She stood in front of Michael. It looked like she was trying to protect him more. As the saying went, true love was portrayed in hard times. This saying was true indeed. It was true that Ivanka cared about Michael. Jonah said gently to Ivanka, “I want you to treat my legs, and I only speak harshly to specific people. I already showed him much respect when he barged into my terri
Michael remained resolute.Ivanka rolled her eyes. “Then stay stubborn. I’ll only fix it when you stop pushing me away.”After she was done speaking, she turned to leave.Michael followed.He even opened the passenger door and got in her car. He was determined to follow her.But Ivanka would not go easy on him.Once inside, she warned him coldly, “Not being able to speak is harder than you think. Follow if you want. Michael, are you sure about this?”Even after her warning, he kept staring straight ahead.She said nothing more and started the engine.Within half an hour, she arrived at Jonah’s mansion.Jonah came out to greet her personally. The moment Ivanka parked the car, Jonah immediately spotted Michael in the passenger seat.The sight of him stirred up bitterness in Jonah. Yet there was nothing he could do.Before Ivanka exited the car, she said to Michael, “Wait here.”Without glancing at him, she walked straight toward Jonah.Her attitude made Michael decide t