Thomas then spoke as if making an announcement, “I wouldn’t bring this up today if I were trying to fool anyone or pull a gimmick. We’re all in this together, working for mutual benefit. There’s no need for discord. It’s an honor to collaborate with Papaver. Since Iv is Papaver, we should be even happier because she’s one of us.” He spoke calmly, but his words carried a deeper meaning.He subtly warned others not to harbor malicious doubts or suspicions to prevent them from overthinking the situation. He wanted to ensure that they would accept the situation as it was.However, everyone was still in disbelief.How could Ivanka be Papaver?How could someone so young know so much?Was she even human?The crowd looked at Ivanka as if she were a monster, though Ivanka seemed unfazed. Using this identity to collaborate with other companies was inevitable.Ivanka had more important things to do that day.These were just the beginning. Once this prelude passed, it would mark a new be
Thomas’s words sounded pertinent, but Theodore’s expression darkened upon hearing them.“Are you implying that there’s a problem with how I’m managing this company?”As the chairman, he held a higher status. So, he felt no need to hold back in speaking his mind.Everyone in the meeting had a complex expression, but Thomas simply smiled at Theodore.“I’m just stating facts. Our company can’t currently operate independently. Persisting in our current approach would only lead to a significant decrease in sales for Iv’s designs and tarnish her reputation.”Theodore frowned and signaled to his supporters.One of his supporters coldly remarked, “You can’t put it that way. Papaver being part of our team means she should contribute to the company. We can also perform well on our own. Plus, who knows the outcome before we advertise? If sales are dipping, is it the company’s fault, or is Papaver not living up to the hype?”He was clearly trying to shift the blame to Ivanka.Ivanka smirke
Theodore forced a smile and said, “Iv, your achievements are beyond my expectations. I’m genuinely happy for you.”He implicitly agreed to the collaboration as well.Seeing him agree to it, his supporters naturally followed suit. Soon, it became a unanimous vote.Ivanka felt ironic about it.Thomas chuckled. “Yes, I’m happy for Iv too.”Ivanka truly surpassed expectations. He felt proud of Fernando for having such an outstanding daughter.Thomas continued, “Well, since everyone agrees unanimously on this point, let’s discuss the previous question: Iv, do you have anyone in mind to collaborate with?”All eyes turned to Ivanka once again.This time, they were not as dismissive as before.Although Ivanka had been impressive before, with identities like Iris and Black-eyed Susan, it did not directly affect how everyone viewed her. They did not show her much respect.But this time was different.She was Papaver!Papaver was a renowned jewelry and fashion designer. She would brin
But it was a huge joke. Ivanka may well be laughing on the inside. They were cousins, but there was a huge difference in their abilities. Even though they grew up together and received the same levels of education, Ivanka was amazingly talented. Meanwhile, Chiara was just mediocre. Chiara was so angry that she was about to lose her mind. Theodore inhaled sharply. He kept his composure and smiled. “Iv, well done. I’m so proud of you. You’ve kept your abilities so well hidden that no one knows about it. I also have to learn this from others.” Although Theodore made it sound like he was joking, Ivanka clearly got the hint through his sentence. He was implying that she was cruel for not treating them as her family. Ivanka said calmly, “I didn’t want to reveal it because I don’t want others to stab me in the back.” The audience instantly understood her. A lady from Thomas’s group said in agreement, “That’s right. Regardless of which identities you have, be it Iris, Black-eyed
Ivanka shook her head. “We’re working in the same company. I won’t hinder Lane’s Group from progressing to a higher level because of my own interests. To be honest, based on the current situation, Lane’s Group is in decline. If we don’t increase the number of projects, Lane’s Group will eventually fall to ruin.” Ivanka told the truth. Everyone was aware of it. They clearly sensed that from the significant reduction in profits. But they did not dare to offend the chairman. They had to find a way on their own. However, the fact of the matter was that their company was in decline, and they could not bring it up to the chairman, even if they wanted to. If Ivanka started the jewelry and apparel project, once her reputation as Papaver spread, Lane’s Group could easily be elevated. Everyone looked forward to that day. They had expectations of Ivanka and her ability. Theodore’s expression darkened. Ivanka put him on the spot by openly saying that Lane’s Group was in decline. This
Both Jillian and Thomas looked at Ivanka with amazement. Truthfully, they were even a little excited. Ivanka had her father’s style. She outperformed him. They really looked forward to Ivanka leading the company. Even if she lacked experience, she still got them. Besides, based on Ivanka’s current performance, she did not look like a greenhorn. If she was inexperienced, she would not have prepared such an impressive proposal that both Sadler’s Group and Barkworth’s Group fought for it. It was absolutely not because both Michael and Jonah liked her, but because both men had read the proposal, and Ivanka had explained it in detail to them. Moreover, she did the project without seeking their help and even let them earn the profits for free. Everyone knew this well. The project was the cream of the crop. On top of that, the few projects she had amended were once difficult to find a collaborator. But she completed all of them. Those feats were worthy of being known as legend
The audience instantly understood what she was saying. Indeed, Ivanka had plenty of identities, and all of them were famous. She also earned plenty of money using those identities. With the multiple identities she owned and the money she earned from them, was she even short of money? She could be richer than Theodore. The audience somewhat found it comical when they saw Ivanka completely overwhelm Theodore. Meanwhile, Chiara seethed in anger. She instantly helped Theodore out. “That being said, Dad didn’t know about those identities of yours at that time. He didn’t know you had so much wealth and could manage your own finances. Iv, you cannot blame him for that.” Chiara blurted out the words. Ivanka nodded calmly. “You’re right. I didn’t mean to blame Uncle Theodore. I understood the kindness he showed to me. To repay his kindness, I won’t take back the dividends earned previously as a token of appreciation for his kindness. Now, I only want him to return my father and my shar
The audience’s jaws dropped. They thought. “Seriously?! She’s giving each of us two billion dollars! That’s a lot of money!” They were just minor shareholders. It would usually take a very long time to earn two billion dollars. Ivanka was making it explicitly clear that she certainly could make the business flourish. At that moment, the crowd felt conflicted. Even if Ivanka was not good at managing the company, she had Barkworth’s Group and Sadler’s Group’s support. Moreover, she owned plenty of famous identities. Many people would want to collaborate with Lane’s Group because of her abilities and talents. Moreover, with Thomas and Jillian as the major shareholders, it was almost certain that the company would flourish in the future. The crowd began to look forward to the future with Ivanka taking over the company. Meanwhile, Theodore frowned. “Iv, the company is in turmoil. If you want to take back the shares now, the company will fall to ruin. This is not a good idea.
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