The atmosphere in the office was brooding. Ivanka felt uneasy. Despite this, she walked over to Michael’s desk and gazed at him. She asked curtly, “What’s the matter with the project?”Michael’s expression was dark. He did not even spare Ivanka an icy gaze. He clicked the mouse with his right hand. The previously dark computer screen lit up once more. Through the glass behind Michael, Ivanka could glimpse the data table displayed on the screen, though the mirrored reflection partially impeded the view.“Come and see for yourself.”Michael’s voice was icy. He remained seated in his chair without budging an inch.Ivanka could tell that there really was a problem with the project. She frowned slightly. This was a project she had put a lot of effort into researching, and now that it was operational, she absolutely would not allow the company to encounter such issues!She immediately walked over to the computer. She stood by Michael’s left side. They were very close. Ivanka’s full atte
Ivanka knew that she could not struggle her way out Michael’s arms, so she gave up. It was mostly because she was already feeling exhausted. She stared at Michael in disbelief, as if asking, “How could you say such a thing?”The look in her eyes irritated Michael for a moment.After a pause, Ivanka shook her head and asked, “Michael, how did you end up like this?”There was a grim look in Michael’s eyes.“Why would you throw away your dignity for business interest? You have made Barkworth’s Group a big, successful company, yet it still doesn’t satisfy your appetite? You would even try to control me. Where’s the Michael who used to be proud and aloof?”Michael suddenly felt suffocated.“You think I’m doing this out of business interest?”Ivanka immediately snorted. “Didn’t you say that yourself? You said we were a fitting match.”Michael was speechless.At that moment, he was suddenly at a loss for words, but he could not vent the rage within him. Ivanka’s words somehow acted
”Iv… I know that you’re no longer in love with that brat Michael. But you’re young, and you should remarry. You need someone to keep you company when you grow old.”Michael’s face darkened further. The look in his eyes became sharper than ever before.But Rosie was on the other end of the line, so she had no idea Michael was next to Ivanka. Rosie continued anxiously, “But that Sadler boy isn’t a good suitor. He is too much of a playboy. Who knows how many women he has been flirting with? I’m worried that he isn’t truly in love with you! Iv, you must find someone you can depend upon for the rest of your life, not someone like him.”Even though Rosie wanted Ivanka to be her granddaughter-in-law again, Michael did not pull his weight!Under such circumstances, Rosie could only help Ivanka scour for potential suitors so that she would not be tricked by awful men.Ivanka pursed her lips. When she saw that Michael’s face was dark and on the verge of exploding with rage any second, she s
Michael did not let her go. Instead, he stared at her coldly, “What are you up to this time?”Ivanka frowned and eventually said grimly, “It’s nothing against you, and it’s none of your business even if you find out.”Michael was so furious that he let out a bark of laughter. “You can choose to keep it secret. Let’s see how long we can remain in this position.”Ivanka was flabbergasted.She immediately looked at Michael in disbelief. “What’s wrong with you?”If she heard him correctly, he had implied that if she refused to come clean, he would keep holding her in his arms and refuse to let go.When Michael remained silent, Ivanka guffawed furiously. “Since when have you become so shameless? Michael, are you supposed to act this way? Where’s your pride?”Michael snorted coldly, “If one lies down with dogs, they will get up with fleas. With you around, pride has lost its meaning to me.”In other words, he was implying that she had been pestering him for the past three years.Her
Ivanka was startled. She glanced at him with astonishment.She wondered why Michael sounded that way.It even gave her the illusion that Michael was casting away his pride.A strange emotion glimmered in Ivanka’s eyes. She did not say a word.Michael did not let go of her wrist. Instead, he said in a cold voice, “What are you really up to this time?”Ivanka was puzzled.She knew it was an illusion. His tone and attitude were as bossy as ever. She might have been mad to think otherwise. Eventually, she snorted coldly. “Why would I tell you? Mr. Barkworth, when you’re planning something big, won’t you hide it from outsiders?”Outsiders.She did not emphasize this word, but it still grated on Michael’s nerves.How dare she say this?! Very well!Ivanka wanted to wrest herself free, but his clutch remained tight.At that moment, she became irritated again. “Michael, I don’t know what I should do to make you let go. Even if you really want to remarry me, do you assume that I’ll
Ivanka gave a faint smile. “Mr. Barkworth, from the way you acted, I’d have thought you couldn’t get over me, and that you have fallen for me. This does not look good on you.”Michael’s expression instantly turned grim. He looked at Ivanka icily. “Call off your collaboration with Jonah and work with me. I won’t treat you like how I treated you in the past.”“No, sorry. You snatched the previous project from Jonah a while ago, so I owed him once. Besides, I…”As she said this, she paused and kept the rest of her sentence to herself.She had meant to say that she would never work with Michael for the rest of her life.But if she said this aloud, it would only anger him and do her no good.She struggled with all her might.Michael gritted his teeth and released her. “Get lost! Ivanka Lane, get out and never think of setting foot in this place again. Don’t ask for my help ever again!”Ivanka forced another smile. “Don’t you worry. I won’t bother you from now on.”Michael was speec
The doorbell dinged.Sandy opened the door for Ivanka.Sandy smiled and said, “Are you here for me? I came over for dinner just now.”Before Ivanka replied, Thomas’ laughter rang out from behind Sandy. “Hahaha, move aside, kiddo. Let Iv in.”Sandy stepped aside with a chuckle. Ivanka closed the door, changed into slippers, and entered the living room.“Uncle Thomas, sorry for bothering you at this hour.”“Don’t be sorry, kiddo. You can come to me anytime. It’s never too late or too early.”Thomas genuinely admired Ivanka’s character and capability.If she visited, she must have something important to tell him, or else she would not have come over so late at night.Ivanka smiled. “As a matter of fact, I want to collaborate with Sadler’s Group soon, and I still need your help. We will hold a meeting tomorrow.”Thomas was a little confused. “What meeting? Let’s discuss it in my study.”With that, Thomas led Ivanka into the study. Sandy stayed outside because they would be talki
Once they entered Ivanka’s house, Sandy could not help asking, “Iv, are you really prepared? Are you going to take them down once and for all?”“I haven’t come to that point. Don’t worry about me.”There was a hint of doubt and hesitation in Sandy’s eyes. But she eventually signed. “Knowing that my uncle is helping you, I can rest assured. Regardless, you have to be careful. The Lanes are deplorable. They even hired someone to drive a car into you. I’m genuinely concerned…” She sighed again.After all, Ivanka had been targeted, and it wasn’t the first or second time this happened. She was indeed in danger.Ivanka nodded. “Don’t worry.”That was all she said about this. The two of them chatted for a while before washing up and heading to bed.The next day, after Ivanka woke up, she made breakfast. Sandy was still concerned. “Iv, are you absolutely ready?”Even though she still had no idea what Ivanka was up to, she could sense that it would be risky. Why else would Ivanka and Unc
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