Catherine’s mouth was wide open. She looked at the two people sitting opposite each other on the second floor in disbelief.“Oh god! Aren’t they Ivanka and Michael’s father? W-Why are they together?”Everyone was in the circle of the wealthy, so everyone knew Jay.Chiara looked nervous. She thought. “Jay has always liked Ivanka. Was he here to persuade her?“It wasn’t easy to get those two to get a divorce. I mustn’t let them reconcile!”Chiara thought of an idea. She immediately took her phone out and took a photo of the two.Catherine looked at her in surprise. “Chiara, what’re you doing?”Chiara smiled. “Mr. Barkworth has always liked Iv. I’m sure he asked Iv out to persuade them to reconcile. I’m going to show this photo to Mic and let him know how hard Mr. Barkworth has worked for their marriage so that he can change his mind and remarry Iv.”Catherine looked at Chiara in surprise. “Chiara, are you crazy?! How could you say such a thing?!”Chiara shook her head helplessly
“I’m not making this up! It’s all over the press. She and Jay’s photos are all over the Internet. Go on Twitter to check it out if you don’t believe me. Her name topped the list of trending searches. I say, Ms. Lane is quite something. Even though she isn’t in the entertainment business, she consistently tops the trending searches. She really knows how to play her cards well. Tsk…” The mockery in Drury’s eyes was blatant. She stared at the man across the room. However, Abel was not listening to her at all. He was fiddling with the files on his computer. Drury could not help but say something again. “Abel, didn’t you hear what I said? Ivanka is a tramp!” Abel cast an indifferent glance at her. “Are you done talking?” Drury choked up with anger. “You… Ivanka is…” Drury was about to keep going when her arm was suddenly gripped by Lucy, who was sitting next to her. She whispered, “Dru, stop talking.” As Lucy said that, she signaled to her that Ivanka was staring at her from th
She was speaking very casually, but the six people in the room could feel the intense hostility coming from her. They stared at Ivanka in disbelief. They thought, “Is that why she was Mrs. Barkworth?” She gave off a different vibe compared to common people. Drury’s expression was dark as well. In spite of her fear, she yelled back for the sake of her pride, “Do you think I’m afraid of you? I was simply stating the facts!” Ivanka sneered. Then, she turned around and walked towards the office. Drury and the rest remained on their feet. They could not take their gazes away from her graceful and inviolable back. It seemed that Ivanka was destined to be the center of attention wherever she went, and all the bad comments about her seemed to have been spurred by jealousy. Lucy sighed resignedly and gave Drury a little nudge. “Dru, cut her some slack from now on. Although she is now divorced, she should not be underestimated. Besides, we are all lawyers. We all know that many thing
The chattering continued in the law firm.Time passed, and afternoon arrived.Chiara kept herself busy by going to the Barkworth’s family mansion.She also brought some gifts to please the Barkworths.She had already told Mindy she was going. Therefore, she went to visit them.As soon as she entered the door, she saw Mindy coming to greet her enthusiastically. “You’re here, Chiara.”Chiara smiled and nodded. “Hi, Mrs. Barkworth.”She handed over the high-end skincare gift box in her hand to her. “Mrs. Barkworth, I asked my friend to bring this back from abroad. They’re all authentic products. They’ve very effective. You have to try it. If you like it, I’ll ask my friend to bring me some more.”Mindy accepted the gift with a polite smile. “Oh, you could’ve just visited, yet you always brought me a gift. There is no need for this next time, all right? You saved my son’s life, and you suffered so much for it. I’m forever indebted to you.”Chiara instantly shook her head with a sm
Chiara nodded along. “They really have gone too far, but these are what netizens like. You just need to get used to it, Mrs. Barkworth.”“No! I meant that these two have gone too far!” Mindy’s expression was livid. Without saying another word to Chiara, she took her phone and made a call.He answered almost immediately. Mindy clenched her teeth and asked, “Where are you?”Jay said with a calm expression on his face, “On my way home.”Mindy, who was still suppressing her anger, tightened her grip on the phone and said, “Why didn’t you tell me that you were back? Why did you actually go to see Ivanka first?”Chiara’s eyes flashed with a sneer. If Mindy and her husband got into a fight, she would dislike Ivanka even more. By then, Ivanka would completely have no chance of returning to the Barkworths.Besides, the one who called the shots in this family was Grandpa Barkworth. He did not like Ivanka either. He just wanted her to marry into his family, which she would.Chiara pulled M
Mr. Murphy was just about to walk over and talk to Ivanka after the call when he suddenly received another call. Mr. Murphy’s expression seemed to grow a bit more serious. He kept turning around and looked at Ivanka with an apologetic gaze. Ivanka picked up on it as well, and she was perplexed. Soon, Mr. Murphy walked toward her and looked at her apologetically. “Ms. Lane, I’m really sorry, but I’m afraid… I can’t sell the place to you anymore.” Ivanka’s eyes filled with confusion. “Is something wrong?” Mr. Murphy could not help but let out a sigh. “I blame myself for my lack of power. I can’t even choose the buyer of my mall. A big shot just gave me a call and said that I could only sell my mall to him, or he would…” He did not finish his sentence, but it must have involved Mr. Murphy’s other interests. Ivanka frowned slightly. “Are you at liberty to tell me who he is?” Mr. Murphy said resignedly, “People will find out who he is when he runs the place later, anyway. I gu
Mr. Murphy was a sensible man. If Michael had wanted to mess with him, checking the contract would be a pointless thing to do. He took over the card and signed the contract without any hesitation. He smiled and said, “Then, I’ll transfer the title to you tomorrow.” With a calm expression on his face, Michael smoothly put the contract in Ivanka’s hand. “This is for you.” Mr. Murphy was perplexed. Ivanka was completely baffled. As the contract slipped from her grasp, she hurriedly grabbed it. Then, she stared at him with puzzled eyes. Michael, on the other hand, snorted. “I know you hate me, but there is no need to let things get ugly. Since you want the place, I’ll buy it and give it to you. I just hope you will leave our family alone now!” The disdain in his eyes made Ivanka sneer. She casually threw the contract on the ground. “I remember telling you that all your stuff is filthy.” Mr. Murphy was shocked. Mr. Murphy thought, “So this Ms. Lane is… No wonder she called h
Early in the morning, when Ivanka went downstairs, someone already parked a blue Lamborghini in front of her building. Ivanka’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. The driver’s seat door suddenly opened and Jonah got out.He was dressed in an exquisite blue suit, which set off his fair skin. He did not look like a boy toy anymore. If anything, he looked like a warm and gentle guy.If she did not know him to be a cold-hearted guy, he looked like a regular, warm, and nice guy at that moment.“Morning.”Jonah came over and opened the passenger door for her, his eyes betraying a hint of amazement.Ivanka always surprised him at every meeting.Ivanka’s outfit today was simple. It was just a black formal dress.She was wearing formal attire too when he saw her at the law firm. However, the way she dressed today gave off a different feeling.She had tied her long hair into a bun. She looked clean and neat today. Jonah kept looking at her with a tender gaze.Ivanka did not find it odd.
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