As he thought about this, he called Michael. Michael picked up but did not say anything. Ivan was already used to him being quiet. He spoke first. “Has Ivanka made any moves recently?” “What now?” Michael frowned slightly, but he no longer wanted to hang up. After all, eight times out of ten of Ivan’s calls were just full of useless blabber. As soon as Ivan heard Michael’s tone, he understood. Then, he immediately said, “Ho! Something big, alright.” “What happened?” Ivan clicked his tongue. “A relative of mine called me just now. He’s a shareholder of Lane’s Group. He said that he wanted me to help look through a contract for transferring shares.” Michael frowned just a little. “Ivanka has probably asked Theodore for shares.” Ivan was a little surprised. While crossing his legs, he opened up the share transfer letter that the other person had sent over. He said casually, “Well, isn’t she bold? She’s giving Theodore a chance to find a loophole to exploit. She should
The contract had several loopholes, which made it a sure win for Ivanka if she decided to sue. He would not even consider taking this lost cause even if Theodore had asked him to help.However, since Michael decided that he would not intervene, Ivan was not to be blamed if he spat in his face. Sometimes, it took his intervention to make that jerk realize he needed to make the first move!When Michael saw Ivanka being sued, there was no way he would not step in to help. Once he did, Ivan could not wait to mock him as much as he wanted.With those thoughts in mind, he replied to Todd.Ivan: The contract has significant flaws. I suggest rewriting it.When Todd received the message, he was dumbfounded. He texted Ivan to acknowledge the message and immediately called Theodore.As soon as Theodore answered, Todd said, “Mr. Theodore, bad news! Just now, Ivan replied to me. He said there are significant loopholes in the contract! He suggests rewriting it!”“How could this be?” Theodor
In other words, back then, it was not that they did not want to get rid of her as well, but they simply could not.Chiara shouted in a fit of rage, “So what do we do now? We can’t even get rid of her now! She’s already on guard! If this really goes to court, we’re screwed!”Lyla frowned and said, “Actually, I’ve been thinking about something.”Her words drew the attention of the father and daughter. Lyla was known for her ideas. They instinctively felt she might have a plan, even if it was not ready to be executed yet.Theodore asked anxiously, “What is it? Quickly, tell us.”Lyla looked at Theodore before speaking slowly, “Ivan and Michael are very close, and Ivanka has been spending a lot of time with Michael lately. Don’t you find that strange?”Theodore was a little stunned. He stared intently at Lyla and said, “You mean…”Chiara was a little surprised. She interjected, “Could Ivan be acting on Michael’s orders and deceiving us?”Lyla frowned and shook her head slightly. “I
Theodore and Lyla remained silent. Ivanka’s current transformation was completely beyond their expectations. No one had anticipated that Ivanka could become such a formidable figure one day.Over the past few years, why had they failed to notice anything unusual about Ivanka? She had grown up right under their noses, so how had they missed her many talents?Had they simply neglected Ivanka’s excellence?After all, her academic performance had always been outstanding....At the cemetery, Ivanka stood before her father’s grave. There were mixed emotions on her face but longing surpassed everything else. Even from a distance, others could sense the sorrow emanating from her.Ivanka looked down at the photo of her father’s kind smile on the tombstone. She took a deep breath and whispered, “Dad, it’s been a long time since I last visited. Do you think I’m being a bad daughter?”Her voice was low and slightly hoarse. Sniffling a bit, she continued, “I grew up without a mother, and af
She became even more determined. After speaking to her father this time, it felt as if she had gained his approval.Ivanka became the Chairwoman of Lane’s Group. As soon as the meeting ended, Thomas released the news.The public’s reactions were nothing short of shock.Of course, her fans were ecstatic!They were all hoping for Ivanka to reclaim her position as chairwoman!Now that she had, it sparked a wave of cheers.GradeASimp: Oh my god! My girl Iv actually became the chairwoman! She’s seriously amazing!Fangirling I think she’s incredible too! My dream girl has so many talents, and now she’s the chairwoman. Iv’s future is truly boundless! She’s going to become someone no one can reach!YesImASimp: Exactly! Our dream girl is the best!The comments went on like that. They were all praising her!They made her sound like a perfect woman.While some praised her, others criticized her as well.Cynical: Is this supposed to be impressive? Ivanka was the daughter of the forme
“I threatened him.”“Huh? How so?” Sandy was even more confused.Ivanka simply smiled. “He used to ask for my shares. Even though I handed them over willingly, our agreement had a big loophole.”“Oh?” Sandy was surprised. “That’s good, then! He has to return them to you!”“Yeah.”“Hah! This terrible family of three finally gets what they deserve! Since the agreement has no legal bearing on you, you can definitely ask for the profits they made with your shares all these years!”Ivanka chuckled. “I will. Don’t worry about me. I’ll handle everything else. They can’t spare any attention or energy to target me for now.”Sandy sighed. “I’m just a little concerned, but I also know that you’re capable of dealing with them. You mustn’t let those b*stards have their way!”Ivanka was touched and teared up. “Alright.”They chatted for a bit before hanging up. Anna and Hanson also texted her in the group chat. They congratulated her and asked about her current situation. Ivanka did not tel
The family of three discussed this matter. They decided to ignore Ivanka’s threat. They all agreed that she would not take away their shares, so they grew emboldened. The time was finally up.On the day of the deadline, Ivanka called Theodore on the phone.Theodore answered the call with a grim expression. “Hello.”As soon as he said that, he heard her cold voice. “Have you considered my words?”Theodore’s expression darkened further. Ivanka’s tone was icy. She did not even call him uncle. How disrespectful and loathsome!He said calmly, “You’re still young, so you shouldn’t have that many shares for now. Besides…”Before he finished, Ivanka said, “This is your last chance. Since you don’t appreciate it, don’t blame me for escalating this.”Theodore immediately snorted with laughter. “Escalate? What are you going to do about it?”“You know what I’ll do and the consequences you have to bear. That’s all I am going to say.” With that, Ivanka hung up.Theodore’s heart skipped a
At Cullen’s Group, Tanya was working in her company when someone knocked on the door to her office.“Miss Cullen.”Tanya snapped out of her reverie and looked up.“Come in.”Soon enough, a female secretary dressed in office attire pushed open the door and walked in. She had a document in her hand.“This is the document you’ve asked for. You have a meeting with the design department in fifteen minutes.”“Alright.”The secretary acknowledged her response. Seeing that Tanya had not given any more instructions, she left the room.Tanya rubbed the spot between her brows and flipped through the document she had received.She had heard of what happened in Lane’s Group lately. Soon, Ivanka would take over the company.Tanya wondered what the company would become under Ivanka’s leadership.Would it flourish at an alarming rate, or would it crash and crumble? Perhaps in the end, Michael would no longer be impressed with Ivanka, and all her admirers would leave her.Tanya pressed her
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