It was a shame that they could not film in a courthouse. Otherwise, they would have filmed it from the beginning till the end.They would be able to share such an entertaining show with everyone.It did not cross anyone’s mind what Ivanka was capable of. All they wanted to see was the drama that was going to happen between them.While they were still waiting for the show to start, the personnel finally finished the summary.The judge looked calm. “Defendant, in regard to the plaintiff’s claims, do you have anything to say?”Ivan had long prepared for this before the hearing. He had speculated the various points the plaintiff would raise, so he spoke without any hesitation.“Objection.”Michael was sitting in his seat, but he was not listening to Ivan. His sharp gaze was focused on Ivanka.Jonah, on the other hand, cocked an eyebrow. He found this getting more and more interesting.“In response to the issues raised by the plaintiff, we have five points of objection.”“First, a
“Third, after the defendant developed the project, they had no regard for…”“Fourth…”“Fifth…”Ivanka laid out her arguments against the five points coherently. Every argument was well-founded. Even Michael’s expression stiffened for a second.On the other hand, Ivan had turned a little pale.He had been treating Ivanka like any other lawyer, but everything she had just said was spot on and hit him square in the gut!If he was unable to refute her five points, the certainty of victory had gradually shifted to an equilibrium.Jonah gave a small smile. She had not lied to him at all.Ivanka did not look at Michael from start to finish. She returned her gaze to the judge after she finished speaking with Ivan. “We have clarified the five points mentioned earlier. After that, I’ll make a statement about the lawsuit filed against my client.”The judge was surprised. He was clearly puzzled by Ivanka’s request, but given the situation, he still nodded. “Please proceed.”Ivanka nodded
All the spectators were concerned about Ivan. The main thing was that Ivan was a well-known lawyer. It would be embarrassing for him if he was defeated by Ivanka, who had no footprint in the legal industry.Ivan finally responded with a third point while the crowd was still waiting.“Third, Ms. Lane’s claim does not fall within the scope of today’s appeal. According to...”Ivanka’s lip curled slightly. His counter-argument to her third point was a little shaky, but it was still acceptable.She was now regarded as a celebrity. Michael’s gaze remained fixed on her. He never once looked away.Ivanka, on the other hand, never looked at him. It was as if all she cared about was winning the case.“Plaintiff, please speak.”Ivanka was still rattling off her claims without pausing. The spaces in front of Jonah and herself were still devoid of notes. She spoke with such assurance that her statements were quite compelling.At that juncture, Ivan did not believe he could continue holding
She spoke slowly and with a calm expression.She did not waste a single unnecessary word, and she did not speak any less than usual.The courtroom was pin-drop silent. Even the judge, some auditors, and the staff were taken aback.Ivan’s fists were clenched.He abruptly stopped speaking at that moment, realizing that no matter what he said, he could no longer salvage the situation.As he looked at Michael, his expression darkened. “I apologize. I gave it my all.”Michael pursed his lips and remained silent. It was a total defeat.Ivanka only smiled briefly after the judge announced the final verdict. She turned to face Jonah. “How are you going to thank me?”Jonah chuckled. “Can I give myself to you?”Their microphones had remained turned on. Ivanka spoke in hushed tones, so no one else could hear her clearly.However, Jonah appeared to have done it on purpose. Everyone had heard him with crystal clarity!Michael’s stare was so cold that Jonah would have died if looks could
Ivanka’s lips twitched. She did not want to say anything to him. She just stood up and walked outside.Suki looked at Sandy, who was still in her daze, and she pushed Sandy. “Sandy?”Sandy snapped out of her daze, and her frozen expression also immediately faded. She stared at Suki. “Suki, did I not hear it wrong just now? Is Ivanka Iris?”Suki gently coughed. “Yes.”They initially had not planned to conceal Ivanka’s identity at the court this time.Since she defeated Ivan today, everyone would have guessed that she was Iris.Instead of being tried out by people, they would better admit it in front of the crowd today, and this also saved a lot of trouble later.Sandy took a breath. “Oh my gosh! What kind of people are around me now? I know about this only now, like a fool!”The lawsuit today was a battle between two experts! It was too exciting!There were not many things that she could learn, but she felt surprised!But after she felt surprised, she felt indescribably lost.
Michael spoke no further. He simply legged it.Jonah looked at Ivanka with a smile. “Shall we have lunch together?”Ivanka’s expression was calm. “No, thanks. I’ll have lunch with my friends.”As she spoke, Sandy was already running over. Her eyes could not contain her surprise. “Ivanka! You hid it from me for so long. I didn’t know that you were Iris!”Ivanka looked apologetic. “I’m sorry.”“What are you apologizing for? I’m happy for you! You’ll be here for me now. If I need to file a lawsuit, people would not dare to oppose me when they know that you’re my friend! How awesome I am! I’ll become famous!”Ivanka smiled. She cast a glance at Jonah. “See you then, Mr. Sadler.”Jonah still wanted to take her to lunch, but it did not seem like he was going to succeed. Therefore, he nodded and left.Sandy kept talking for a while, and all her topics were about Ivanka being Iris. She was so indescribably proud.After the three of them got into the car, Sandy could not help but said,
Many people had watched the lawsuit between Barkworth’s Group and Sadler’s Group today. Even if the exact content could not be revealed today, the winner and loser would be known later, even if they were not known now.Besides, revealing Ivanka’s personal identity would not be involved with legal relationships.Therefore, Ivanka was trending on Twitter again.[Mr. Barkworth’s ex-wife is Iris the lawyer expert?!]At that moment, Sandy held her phone while pridefully said, “Haha! Ivanka, you’re on the trend again! Everyone is extremely shocked! Let me read a few comments for you!”Ivanka pursed her lips. She was actually not very concerned about these.Meanwhile, Sandy already started reading the comments.[I used to look down on Mr. Barkworth’s ex-wife the most in the past. I heard she was useless, and she was even the mistress who stole her sister’s husband. But the person whom I admire the most is Iris. She’s Ms. Iris! I didn’t expect her to be such a beautiful girl! She’s pret
Public opinions kept milling in about how Ivanka was actually Iris.The atmosphere in the Barkworth family was extremely tense.Samuel’s expression turned extremely dark!Mindy even lost her cool. “How could she be Iris? She did not need to make things so ugly even if she divorced Michael!” Samuel immediately sneered. He coldly looked at Rosie. “This is the granddaughter-in-law you really looked up to. After she divorced, she finally revealed her true colors. She struck the Barkworth family without holding back when she divorced. This time, she openly opposed our family in court!”Rosie’s expression changed slightly. “Your usual actions hurt her!“Otherwise, how was it possible for my obedient granddaughter to do such a thing? Rather than reflect upon yourself, you still intend to blame it on Ivanka?”Jay looked calm. He sat next to Rosie. He indifferently said, “The past is the past. Quarreling over it won’t do us any good. Ivanka is a good kid. Michael has gone too far.”Min
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