“Run?” The thug’s mind was filled with a single thought. He was entirely in a state of panic. “If we stay and Mr. Quinn sees us both here when he comes over, won’t we be an eyesore to him and make him even angrier?” Drake instantly felt that he had a point and immediately whispered, “Go talk to him!” The thug was Drake’s lackey. Even if he was not happy about this, he did not dare to say it out loud. He could only suck in a breath and take a step toward the girl. It was as if this would show how sincere he was. However, the girl screamed in fright, “Don’t come over!” As she said that, she took three steps backward. It just added two feet to the distance between them. The thug was terrified. He quickly stretched his hands out and waved them about. “No, no, no. I don’t mean to harm you. I just want to say a few things to Mr. Quinn…” “You can say what you want from where you stand!” The girl looked at the two men in front of her warily. They were both terrified. The thug
The girl’s eyes were bright, and the tear tracks on her face had dried up, but Xander could still see her red, swollen eyes.“You’re finally here…” she said pitifully.Xander’s eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at her. Then, he looked at Drake and the thug.With an indifferent yet intimidating gaze, he made the two people kneel from fear at the same time. Even the aggrieved girl was a little surprised at this moment. How did these two people change their attitudes so fast?She remained silent. Although Xander was looking in the thugs’ direction, his words were directed at the girl.“Did they touch you?”Drake and the thug immediately shook their heads in panic. The thug’s reaction was pretty quick. He immediately said, “We didn’t! It was just a joke. She called just in time. So, we didn’t do anything!”“They grabbed my hair and pulled my sleeve.”Xander glanced at her and realized that her hair was indeed disheveled. There were also some black stains on her white sleeves.
The girl looked at him as if he were an angel descending from heaven. Her eyes were filled with adoration. With him there, she felt truly at ease.Xander did not look at her. Instead, he coldly stared at the two men in front of him. “You know Salsa’s rules. Start turning yourselves in today. Don’t make me use force.”The faces of the two men instantly turned pale. Although Xander had forgiven them for their previous mistakes, they had exhausted his grace. What were they going to do?“Mr. Quinn, we...”Xander glanced at the girl. “Let’s go.”Color had returned to the girl’s pale face. She did not say a word and immediately followed Xander. The two men, who were still kneeling on the ground, continued to plead. However, it was futile.In their minds, Xander and their boss were as close as brothers. They even thought their boss took orders from Xander. Xander’s command had left them completely out of options.They had no power to resist and no other options! They could only choose
Ivanka looked at him, puzzled. “What does that mean?”Michael did not stop the car but kept driving. He did not respond to Ivanka’s question the entire drive. Ivanka frowned and asked, “What are you trying to do?”Just as she finished speaking, Michael parked in front of a movie theater.Ivanka turned her head and saw a large vertical sign that read “Cinema City” in big letters.Ivanka’s frown deepened. “You’re really taking me to the movies?”Had he lost his mind?Just telling Rosie they went would have sufficed. There was no need to actually follow through.However, Michael looked at her and said, “If we don’t make it convincing, do you think Grandma will believe us? She’s so happy today. If she finds out we didn’t actually go to the movies and there’s no buzz about it online, don’t you think she’ll be disappointed?”Ivanka was momentarily speechless.Michael had thought it all through.“Get out,” Michael said as he opened the driver’s door. Someone was already waiting to t
Ivanka: I’m not.Sandy: You’re not? Then what’s going on? Why are you two hanging out again? You even reserved the entire cinema for yourselves! I saw everything on Twitter! It’s just the two of you in that big cinema! Spill it, what are you guys up to?Ivanka: There’s a reason. I’ll explain everything when we meet in person.Being a hacker, Ivanka was well aware of the risks of discussing sensitive topics over text. While her phone was secure, she could not vouch for Sandy’s.Sandy was suspicious but understood the importance of discretion. Ivanka must have her reason for doing this. She replied to her message.Sandy: Okay, I’ll wait until you can explain. I won’t interrupt your date!Ivanka: …Sandy sent a playful emoji. Ivanka did not respond further.Ivanka refocused on the big screen just in time to see the male lead grabbing the hand of the angry female lead who was trying to leave.“Don’t go.”The female lead could not break free. At the next second, she snorted, “Don’
Time went on as the movie continued. The male and female leads were now attending a party together. At the party, they seemed particularly intimate. Michael and Ivanka could not help but think back to their own past.Ivanka found herself deeply resonating with the movie. She found it all too real.This was the reality of high society. For the sake of profit, people had to put on a show. Two people who detested each other had to act like they were deeply in love for the sake of “supreme” interests. At this moment, Ivanka’s eyes were filled with a sense of irony.The female lead’s smile had become rigid from overuse. She could no longer keep up the facade. She smiled at the man beside her and his business partners. “I need to use the restroom.”The male lead immediately released his grip on her waist and said gently, “Go ahead.”The female lead smiled and nodded. She turned around and walked toward the restroom.Once she closed the door behind her, the smile vanished from her face.
Ivanka’s eyes narrowed with a hint of cold mockery in her gaze. No matter what...What good would finding her do now?She suddenly lost interest in the movie.However, they were only halfway through. Rosie had probably caught wind that they had entered the cinema.Leaving now would only make Rosie suspicious.Ivanka frowned. She tried to control the irritation building inside her.The movie continued. The male lead finally found the female lead after much effort. However, she was now with another man. She appeared at the same event on the arm of this new suitor. That broke the male lead’s composure.He pulled her into a secluded room and forcefully pinned her against the wall. She struggled but could not break free. Her words grew harsher. Yet the male lead held her tightly and refused to let her go.He said, “I was too lenient with you before, which is why you thought you could just leave. From now on, you can only stay by my side.”Ivanka was taken aback. He had been despera
Evan’s expression gradually became more composed. He cleared his throat again and said softly, “About the movie you recently released, Mr. Barkworth booked a private screening. I assume you’ve heard about that, right?”Chad was taken aback. “I wasn’t aware. I’ve been out all day. I had a dinner meeting. So, you’re saying Mr. Barkworth watched the film?”“Yes.” Evan continued to ease into the conversation. He did not want to drop the bombshell too quickly as he feared Chad might have a heart attack from the shock.Chad was not a small-time figure. In fact, he was globally renowned, known for his sharp eye and every film he directed was a classic.His dedication was evident.However, Michael’s sudden order to change the ending of the movie could lead to widespread backlash and even affect the movie’s reception. Yet, Michael’s command could not be ignored.After all, no one dared to cross Michael.Of course, Michael’s demand to change the ending would not come without compensation.
Ivanka understood everything just by looking at Stella’s expression.The drinks and pastries had to be the problem. The weakness and fatigue people were experiencing must have come from consuming them. She tested them with a test strip right away.As expected, they had been poisoned.She had not eaten anything, so she was fine. But she was unsure about Vincenzo, so she checked on him immediately. Thankfully, he was unharmed.Stella let out a deep breath.Before she could say anything, Vincenzo scolded her. “You ran back here and left Njord alone? Hurry up and get back there!”“Yes, Boss!”Stella responded quickly and ran off.Ivanka was about to speak when Michael and Evan rushed in.Michael looked anxious and was breathing heavily.Just like Stella, he was panicking.“Come here. Let me check.” Ivanka nodded at him. She knew how stubborn he was.Michael pursed his lips together and hesitated.But Ivanka had already stepped forward and checked on him. His pulse was weakenin
Vincenzo immediately noticed Michael putting some distance between them.It was not out of fear but respect for Vincenzo’s status. After all, he was Ivanka’s only family.Ivanka walked straight to Vincenzo without sparing Michael a glance.Michael could only stand there and watch her leave.Back at their spot, Vincenzo remained silent. Ivanka, however, felt uneasy.She had only gone to the restroom and had not expected to run into Michael.After some thought, she decided to explain.“Uncle, I didn’t go looking for him.”“You don’t need to explain. Even if you did, that’s your choice. I’ve said what I needed to. The decision is yours.”His tone was calm, but to Ivanka, it sounded like he was upset.She wanted to say more, but Vincenzo spoke first. “Don’t blame yourself. I’m not angry. Once the banquet is over, take a few days to rest. Then we’ll head out.”“Alright.”Since he had already said that, there was nothing more to say.Caeser had hosted the banquet to trigger inte
Ivanka saw the grin on Michael’s face and immediately let go of his arm. Her expression darkened with displeasure.Michael looked like he was enjoying her frustration.“I’m not,” he denied at once, quickly adding, “I’m happy because you pulled me away. It shows you care.”Ivanka was speechless.She looked at his smiling face and shook her head. “I just didn’t want you getting into a fight with Mr. George right now. If something happened to you while I was there, I couldn’t just leave. And if I didn’t, that would make me responsible for you.”Michael frowned. “Do you really think I’m that useless?”He had fought Mr. George before and never even saw him as a threat. There was no way someone like that could take him down.“That’s not the point. Mr. George isn’t alone, but you are. This isn’t your territory, Michael. And don’t forget, the drug in your system hasn’t fully cleared, and your gunshot wound—”He cut her off before she could finish.“That injury was a long time ago. I’m
Ivanka had never revealed her identity as Violet Cress. How did Mr. George figure it out just from her treating Caeser?“Mr. Ali, I only gave Mr. Hicks a few herbal prescriptions. It was nothing special.”“Caeser has plenty of skilled doctors, yet none of them could fix his condition. You did so effortlessly. That says a lot. Anyone who can earn his trust must be exceptionally capable. Ms. Ivanka, the Ganoderma Nebula is not something just anyone can use properly, nor does everyone have your level of confidence.”At first, Mr. George had not suspected anything. But after learning about the legendary medical expert, Violet Cress, he started making connections. She was well known by reputation, yet no one had ever seen her face. He had looked into her background and found that she was probably not elderly.There was also the Ganoderma Nebula.So, he made an educated guess.Looking at Ivanka’s calm reaction, he was even more convinced. When he first mentioned it, there had been a fl
A teasing voice broke the moment, interrupting Ivanka and Michael.They turned to look.Standing before them was none other than Mr. George. It had been a while since they last saw him.Michael narrowed his eyes. He had not expected him to show up at Caeser’s banquet.“What? Didn’t learn your lesson last time?” His tone was cold and sharp.As he spoke, he stepped forward. He simultaneously shielded Ivanka behind him.They knew they were in Mirvania, and Vincenzo was nearby. No matter what Mr. George was planning, he would not dare make a move under Vincenzo’s watch.Still, Michael’s reaction was instinctive.“No hard feelings, right? Isn’t this how friendships start?” Mr. George replied indifferently. He stepped to the side and looked at Ivanka.“Friends?” Ivanka let out a sharp laugh. “Be honest, Mr. George. Do you really think we could ever be friends?”She had taken the Ganoderma Nebula. He had tried to steal it by sending his men. She had turned five of them against him a
Ivanka tried to step aside, but Michael blocked her path.The acrid smell of smoke hit her.She instinctively covered her nose and mouth.Michael saw her reaction and put out his cigarette.“If I talk through a third party and they can’t get my point across to my subordinates, wouldn’t it be better to handle it myself?”Ivanka frowned. “Is this really the time to talk about this?”She thought about pushing him away, but she decided against it.“I know it’s not. I also know you did all that to make me give up. But I won’t. It will just hurt.”His voice was hoarse and tinged with sorrow.He looked heartbroken.If this had been before, she might have felt bad for him. But at that moment, she felt nothing. She said calmly, “That’s your problem, not mine. If you want to keep getting knocked out and run around like this, be my guest.”She stepped forward and pulled out her phone.Michael knew exactly what she meant. If he kept blocking her way, she would call Njord, Stella, and t
“Alright, go back to the casino and wait for my order.”The fight between Tanya and Blake had revealed how fragile their relationship was. If Tanya thought the stranger she met at the party was reliable, she would try to leave Blake.She would have thought that she had gotten her freedom. But in fact, it was just another circle of hell awaiting her.By then, Tanya would suffer a worse fate than death.That was what Ivanka wanted to see.After all, Tanya had disguised herself as Ivanka and put a stain on her reputation for a time. Moreover, Tanya was still planning to come after her and Michael.Ivanka would not intervene in the feud between Tanya and Michael, but since she had run into Tanya at the party, she would like to settle the score between her and Tanya.“That’s your plan?”As Ivanka hung up, Vincent could not help frowning.He knew what she was up to when she had asked Njord to assign the job to a man.But the progress was too slow!Ivanka nodded with a smile. “Yeah
Tanya was not a fool.Seeing Tanya’s reaction, the man smiled calmly and said, “Seriously? He’s just your boyfriend. He can’t possibly stop you from making friends, right?”Tanya ignored him and kept walking.She reached a junction and took out her phone to book a ride. But the Hicks family’s mansion was on the hillside. Moreover, Caeser had contacted the Ministry of Transport to impose traffic control in the area. Apart from those who attended the party, no one else’s vehicle was allowed to enter.Seeing that there was not a single car around, Tanya had no choice but to walk down the hill.Blake had told her to get lost, so she would not go back to the mansion to ask for his help.She walked for about five minutes. High heels were not made for long-distance walks, and she was in a long evening gown. She held a little purse that contained her phone, lipstick, a small packet of tissues, and nothing else. Worse still, she could not tear off the long hem of her gown.Tanya had no c
What Blake said struck a chord with Tanya.Her expression was cold, and the look in her eyes was vicious.She did not even love Blake, so everything he did had nothing to do with her. She did not care if he was involved with other women.“Do you have anything else to say? I don’t think I need to be at this party for long.” Tanya averted her gaze so that she did not have to look Blake in the eye.She had made her point clear. If he did not need her around, she would take her leave for the night.Naturally, Blake knew what she meant to say.“Get lost then!”He yelled at Tanya right away. She did not even spare him a look before lifting the hem of her dress, turning around, and walking away.Blake’s voice was filled with disgust, hatred, and rage. But Tanya could not care less about how he felt.She had come to the party with Blake, who arranged their ride. The Hicks, who organized this party, had prepared a parking lot for the guests. There were cars arranged neatly across the p