The supervisor felt relieved, but he still said, “No, this is my oversight. How can I possibly ask you to pay them? I—”But before he could finish talking, he felt a sharp gaze set upon him. Michael was the only one who could deliver such a sharp, intimidating glare. The supervisor was close to tears. It was not as if he had said anything wrong!But Ivanka no longer looked at the supervisor. She said, “Next person.”The next supervisor quickly gave his report. The work situation at his department was pretty good, so Ivanka’s expression became somewhat pleasant. However, Michael’s expression remained stormy.After everyone finished reporting on their work statuses, everyone fell silent. Evan had been the one who notified them about the meeting, and none of them were sure about what their next specific step was supposed to be. All of them waited for Michael and Ivanka to give their orders. As for Ivanka, she showed no intention to talk; she was also waiting for Michael to spe
But Ivanka still felt gloomy about this. After all, Waterbridge Street was far away. While it was in Bostone, the fact that Bostone itself was a city-county meant that they were basically traveling from one urban area to another. Hence, if they went over in the afternoon, they would only reach by night, and they could not inspect the site at all. They might even need to stay over. This fact made Ivanka really irritated. However, this was an order, and it was a work matter. She could not decline just because she could not keep her private life and work life separate. Otherwise, people would think that she was throwing a tantrum over something so small, and she could not afford to have people accuse her of such a flaw, not when she wanted to reclaim Lane’s Group. The collaboration with Michael was really important to her. Everyone in the conference room fell silent. Some of the women began envying Ivanka. How could she be so lucky? She got married to Michael in the past, and Mi
In the next moment, Ivanka said coolly, “I’ll sit in the front passenger’s seat.”Michael’s expression turned cold. That was all Ivanka said. She made to go to the front passenger’s seat, but before she could reach it, Evan said, “Young Master Ivan is sitting in the front passenger’s seat.”Speechless, Ivanka could only return to Evan’s side and get into the car. Why was Ivan going to Waterbridge Street?She had wanted to go to the front passenger’s seat because she did not want to sit together with Michael, but things did not turn out the way she wanted. After she got in, Ivan turned around to flash Ivanka a grin. “Afternoon, Ms. Ivanka.”He was calling her that in a joking fashion. After all, everyone referred to her that way at present and were treating it in the same vein as “Mrs. Barkworth”.Ivanka scowled and did not want to even acknowledge him. Ivan cackled. “Come now, we’re acquaintances, aren’t we? If you ignore me, you’re going to put me in a really awkward spot
The server began serving their food. Evan had already ordered their food beforehand, so they could start eating at the moment they arrived. After Evan parked his car, he came back, saw their seating, and lost his desire to go in. He had already pretty much figured out Michael’s feelings, and he knew that Michael would not want him to go over at the moment. While he was wondering about whether he should leave or go in, Ivan called out to him with a grin, as if he wanted more chaos for the fun of it. “Evan, come sit! Once we’re done eating, we have to leave! Time’s precious, and we have an important task ahead!”Evan did not know what to say to that. Even if they went over today, they were going to end up going to a hotel to rest first. They would not be able to do any sort of inspection, so they were not in a hurry at all. Ivan was clearly and very deliberately asking him to go over just so that he could watch the drama unfold. Neither Michael nor Ivanka spoke. Feeling re
“What the—! There’s nothing between me and Sandy! Also, she stole my mom’s stuff! Don’t talk about my mess with her like it’s the same with yours!”Michael smiled in clear mockery. Ivan bristled. “Seriously, what the hell?! I’ve told you guys plenty of times, but you just won’t believe me! I won’t ever spend the rest of my life with that tomboy! Don’t let me hear those things come out of your mouth next time!”Michael gave him a cool look. “You’ve never been so angry when we talked about other women before.”His rage was the issue in itself. If he was mad about it, that meant that he really cared about whatever was involved between him and Sandy, and his rage as well as frustration made Ivan look as if he was about to boil over. In his irritation, Ivan snapped, “That’s because I hate her. There are plenty of pretty ladies around. Why can’t you ask me to get together with a better woman?”“I did ask you to get together with a useless woman who’s much lesser than Sandy, but you w
Ivanka did not intend to sit in the back this time. Instead, she took the front passenger seat.Michael’s stern face darkened further.It was going to be a long journey. Ivanka got in and closed her eyes. She prepared to rest.However, her phone suddenly vibrated. Ivanka opened WhatsApp.It was her group chat with Sandy and Anna.Sandy: Iv, are you with Michael now?Ivanka was surprised. Who saw them together and posted on Twitter again?Ivanka: Yes.Anna: What are you doing together? Working?Ivanka: Yes. We’re going to Waterbridge Street today to handle some matters.Anna: Waterbridge Street? That’s far. Is it just you and Michael?Sandy: Damn it! It’s actually true! That jerk didn’t lie to me!Sandy sent a selfie of a disgruntled face.Anna: ?Ivanka: ?Ivanka: Evan is with us too.Ivanka kept typing on her phone. From his position, Michael could not see what was on her screen.He raised a hand and pressed his temple before leaning back into the seat to rest with hi
Ivanka did not bother to say anything to him. She set her phone aside again and closed her eyes to rest.Her indifference only made Michael’s expression darken further.Evan felt like the car might eventually explode from the tension in the air.He thought. “Why aren’t we there yet? Why?”Without realizing it, he pressed down on the accelerator a bit more.Finally, just as Evan had hoped for, they arrived at their destination.At that moment, Evan felt a rush of excitement. He was relieved that he no longer had to endure the tension in the car.As Ivanka stepped out of the car, she took a breath of the air of the place. She felt pretty good, except for the fact that Michael was there with her.Evan parked the car in the hotel courtyard.They made their way inside together.Evan naturally handled the check-in procedure.However, when he handed over the room key, Ivanka frowned. “Why is it a suite again?”She remembered the last time she traveled with Michael, they had stayed
“Why is it a suite? There’s no way I’ll share a room with you!” Sandy’s expression soured. She was clearly reluctant.“Since it’s a suite, we’re not exactly sharing a room!” Ivan’s expression also soured considerably. This woman always spoke her mind without restraint. She had said such things in front of so many people with no regard for his dignity!The receptionist stood behind the counter in awkward silence.Sandy ignored Ivan and turned directly to the receptionist. “I’d like to book another room, please.”The receptionist repeated the same explanation given to Ivanka. It was the truth.“I’m sorry, ma’am. Our rooms require a booking in advance. There are no spare rooms at the moment.”Sandy’s expression soured further. She turned to Ivan. “Did you know we were coming here today?”Ivan scoffed. How would he know?When Michael thought of a plan, he just executed it right away. He would never give advance notice.“We keep a suite reserved here year-round. Got it? If you don’
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