Of course, there had also been Samuel, Michael’s grandfather, orchestrating their marriage.Before Ivanka could say more, Ivan realized he had misspoken and hurried to explain. “Wait, that’s not what I meant! I was talking about before. Now Michael’s different. He really wants to fix things and make it up to you. Just forget what I said earlier!”His flustered response amused Ivanka. She teased him, “Spilled words are like spilled water. I already heard them. Do you really think I can just ignore them?”She was not deaf, after all. There was no taking back what he had just said.Ivan looked visibly annoyed with himself. He thought. “Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut? If Michael finds out what I’d just blurted, he’d probably kill me. Seriously, I have a knack for saying the wrong thing.”“All right, enough of this. I’m busy, so I have to go. As for Sandy, if she’s open to considering you and you manage to prove that you’re reliable, I’ll help where I can. But if she has no intere
Ivanka was at a loss for words for a second.She had not expected Ivan to say something like that.Did he just assume she was going to see Sandy?Ivanka felt resigned. “Fine, I’ll call you a cab and have it take you straight to Sandy. Also, why not just ask Michael for money?”Her last point hit the nail on the head.Ivan was momentarily speechless. She was not wrong. It did not make sense for him to go to her instead of Michael. However, with the agreement he and Michael had made, there was no way he could let Ivanka leave alone, especially not when he needed to stop her from potentially meeting Jonah.With a long sigh and a look of exaggerated helplessness, Ivan said, “I thought about it, but you know how it is. Men have their pride, or what little of it we have left. Look, I get what you’re thinking. But if you just take me to Sandy, then fine, let me be pitied. I’ll take it. If I didn’t mean it, do you think I’d still be standing here asking you like this?”His words were
Therefore, Ivan came clean and said, “I do intend to help you and Michael, but I’m also truly broke. Many people refuse to believe that. You’re the only one who was willing to lend me money right away. As for Michael, I haven’t told him about my predicament.”With that, he had explained why Michael did not help him out.He also wanted to convince Ivanka that he was telling the truth.Ivanka was not interested in whether Ivan had told Michael about his financial problem. She was bothered by what he said in the beginning. He wanted to help her and Michael out.Did he know the current state of their relationship?For some reason, everyone around them failed to see that.Ivanka pursed her lips with resignation. “We’re already divorced. We have been separated for quite some time. I don’t know what’s with you all. Do you seriously think that we can get back together again? If we could just make up, why did we get a divorce in the first place?”People indeed could remarry, but if they
When Ivanka mentioned Michael, Sandy was enraged.Michael was shameless!He insisted on getting Ivanka involved in everything he did. If they were a couple in a close-knit relationship, they had every right to do anything together.But they had already gotten a divorce. They were strangers. He should not cross the line again!Sandy was so furious that she wanted to run over to Michael and end him.“I know, but he’s very ill. When we were in Mirvania, he took two bullets for me when I was in danger.” Hearing what Sandy said to her, Ivanka felt rather dejected as well.She kept trying to cut ties with Michael, but he always had a reason to call her over.Recalling Xander’s words on his condition, Ivanka was rather troubled.Sandy disagreed with her. “He took the bullets for you willingly. You didn’t ask him to do it. Besides, didn’t you travel to Mirvania just to get medicine for his grandma?“Something bad happened because he brought you there. If you had stayed here, it wouldn
Ivanka sounded serious, and she said nothing else.She was no longer an eighteen-year-old girl who would risk everything in the name of love. She knew what she should do in her current situation.Moreover, she no longer craved love and romance.If Ivanka were talking about something else, Sandy would believe that she knew what to do.But when it came to Michael, Sandy did not trust her.She snorted. “If you really know what to do, how did you end up getting hurt by Michael? You had to put your career aside while you were married to him for three years!“I don’t want to point this out, Iv, but I’ve got to talk some sense into you. Stop being a lovesick fool! Back when Michael handed you the divorce paper, you were reluctant to sign it, right?”Michael was decisive when he gave her the document, and Ivanka had finally realized what kind of man he was. Hence, they got divorced and separated for good.For a moment, what Sandy said tugged at Ivanka’s heartstrings.The second she ha
Ivanka said, “Ivan didn’t say anything. He wanted me to help him set you up, but don’t you worry. I didn’t agree to do it. I know what kind of person you’re like. If you’re willing to date him, you wouldn’t need any help. Besides, I don’t think I should get involved in things like this.”Hearing that Ivan had asked for Ivanka’s help, Sandy was furious. “He dared to come to you for help? Gosh, all men are jerks, and that’s a fact!“He should have looked at himself in the mirror! How dare he ask for your help?!”As it seemed, Sandy really abhorred Ivan.Ivanka frowned and got to the point. “Why do you dislike him so much? Didn’t you travel to Mirvania with him a while ago? I’ve seen the way you acted around each other.”“Don’t be fooled by the appearance. Do you think we get along? I went to Mirvania with him because he knew where Michael was, and you didn’t tell me where you stayed to keep me away.” Sandy cut her off and explained the situation.Then, she added, “Ivan did not want
“Weren’t you just badmouthing Michael a moment ago? Why did you make it sound as if he is slightly better than Ivan as soon as we talked about Ivan?”Whether or not it made sense to compare the two of them, it made sense to Sandy.Ivanka was right about what Sandy was thinking as well.Sandy nodded. “Even though Michael was a jerk, he only had Chiara back then. When you married him in the heat of the moment, he also stated clearly that he didn’t love you, and he wanted to be with Chiara instead. But Ivan is different. He’s had so many women around him, but he never loved any of them. Has he claimed responsibility for any of them?“He just wants to lower my guard with seduction so that he can get what he wants. Men like him are shameless playboys.” That was what Sandy thought of Ivan.As it seemed, she truly loathed and despised him.Ivanka wanted to end this topic. “Alright, let’s stop talking about them. You didn’t call me just to lecture me, right?”Sandy denied immediately. “
However, Sandy refuted him immediately.“Stop it, Ivan. You disgust me.” There was a cold look in her eyes. It was filled with her contempt toward him.Ivan’s face fell instantly. “I was confessing my feelings for you. How’s that disgusting? You can say that you don’t believe me or accept my love, but you can’t deny my sincerity and all the things I have done for you.”Sandy was puzzled.His sincerity? She had not seen any signs of that!As for the things he claimed that he had done for her, she was rather curious about them. Hence, she asked, “What have you done for me?”Ivan explained eagerly, “I brought you to Mirvania and flew you back after that. Doesn’t it count?“You ask me to prove my sincerity. But I’ve told you repeatedly that I like you. Do you think that I’d waste my time on you if my feelings aren’t real?”He had explained himself clearly.It must have been hard for him to say all these things.Sandy gave a snort of laughter and immediately said, “I’ve made mysel
“I deserve everything that’s happening to me now. But please don’t involve my family in my mistakes…” Ethan clasped his hands together and sincerely begged everyone to spare his family. Ivanka spared him a brief glance before turning off her cell phone. Although she was helping herself to some meat, Michael could see how she felt at the moment. “Why don’t we…” Michael asked for her opinion. But before he finished speaking, Ivanka interrupted him. “Now that he’s released a video like that, if I continue to hold him accountable, I’d be the one in the wrong.” Michael immediately replied, “I can step in—” “You? It’s better if you don’t. Everyone knows your relationship with me now.” Before Michael could finish his sentence, Ivanka immediately interrupted him. Although they were not officially remarried, Michael often went out with her. If anyone else were to see this, what difference did it make? Michael understood, but he really could not bear to see Ivanka getting bulli
After they finished taking pictures, Ivanka greeted everyone politely. “After finishing your meal, go home early. It’s snowing, so drive safely. Bye…” Ivanka subconsciously reminded them. She belatedly realized she had been acting as though she was really an idol. Nonetheless, she treated them with sincerity. She had not done this for Michael’s sake. She did this mostly for the sake of the innocent, inexperienced young ladies who had yet entered the society. These young ladies raised their phones warily and asked, “Could we take a picture together?” They were so worried that their invitation would be turned down, so much so that when they talked, they almost bit the skin off their lips. Ivanka could not bear to reject them. It had not been easy for her to finally reach the private room. Michael teased her, “Our celebrity finally arrived. It looks like you’d best wear shades wherever you go in the future.” Ivanka glared at him and said gruffly, “Stop teasing me.” She paused
After that, Ivanka politely bowed to the people who had been watching the drama in the main hall. She smiled at them. “Sorry for making a fool of ourselves. We encountered two tricksters who wanted to eat the meals for free by calling themselves the friends of the restaurant owners. It happened that I know the restaurant owner, so we easily uncovered their tricks.” By saying that, Ivanka was able to save the hot pot restaurant’s and the Barkworth family’s reputation. Her statement could result in a win-win situation, and the reason was acceptable. Ivanka continued, “Sorry for causing a stir and affecting your dining mood. I’ll foot the bill for everyone who dined on the first floor. How does that sound?” She was not trying to curry favor with the people or to show off her wealth. She simply did not want the people to hate the wealthy. One could not deny that this method worked. Right after Ivanka made her statement, the crowd thanked her. The commotion was no more than ju
The young lady did not know what to do, so she turned to the restaurant manager. The restaurant manager nodded in approval. It was only then that the young lady left the restaurant. Before she left, she glared at Coco. Coco glared back at the young lady and pointed at her viciously. Coco shouted, “Come back! I’m not done with you yet! Who permitted you to leave now?!” The young lady’s body shivered a little. Still, she gnashed her teeth and left. Ivanka watched the young lady’s back as she drifted away. Ivanka stood in Coco’s way because she did not want Coco to chase after the young lady. Ivanka did not want to make a big deal out of the situation. Otherwise, the Barkworth family would be the one who suffered disgrace. After all, Coco stayed in the Barkworth family’s mansion, and everyone knew that Rosie doted on her. If it continued, Ivanka was worried about Rosie’s later years… Ivanka rubbed her temples in resignation. It looked like she needed to resolve the issue as
The restaurant manager thought for a moment before saying, “Ms. Fishbourne, the restaurant has its own rules. Only three types of VIPs could reserve our private rooms while the rest could only enjoy normal seats. I have reasons to believe that our front desk told you the same when you called. We may not have empty seats now, but we’ll have one shortly after.” Coco recalled the situation and remembered that it was exactly like what the restaurant manager had mentioned. So what? Things have changed these days. Coco was no longer an ordinary woman. Her words could even move the earth. With that thought in her mind, Coco chuckled. She kept her tyranny and mockery to herself before locking her little finger with the young lady’s at the front desk. The young lady at the front desk looked down at her finger before glancing at the restaurant manager helplessly. The restaurant manager himself, too, was caught in trouble, so he could not do anything else to defend the young lady. C
Little did Coco know that her behavior was no more like a clown in the crowd’s eyes. Ivanka felt disgusted. Although she could not put herself in Coco’s shoes, she could understand the thoughts of a sensitive person. Ivanka could sympathize with a sensitive and cowardly person. But she could not find herself sympathizing with Coco. Coco’s low self-esteem should not be the reason for her to behave like a crook. Michael, on the other hand, already finished discussing with the restaurant manager and entering the private room. Ivanka lagged behind him. She had no intention of entertaining Coco, much less inviting her to eat together. No doubt that the private room was able to accommodate four people. But based on their relationship, Ivanka thought she had been kind enough to not find fault in Coco, much less eating together. Meanwhile, Coco continued to argue with the restaurant manager. She argued until her face reddened. Although the restaurant manager already made hims
The temperature was above freezing point, so the snowflakes melted before they even reached the ground. The trees were covered in snow. At a glance, they looked like a blanket of pristine snow. The big trees looked as if they had been covered in snow-white new clothes. Ivanka was a little surprised at such a scenery. Even though she often went for business trips in the north and had experienced snow, skied, and various other experiences, it was a rare sight to experience snow in their city. Instead of snow, they looked more like an ice sheet. The snow there was different from the cities in the north. They easily fell on their hair. In just a while, their hair turned snowy white. Ivanka took out her phone and took a photo. Then she shared it with her friends in her WhatsApp group. Meanwhile, Michael took photos of Ivanka. Michael hardly posted anything on Twitter. After a moment, he uploaded a photo of Ivanka taking photos of the scenery.The caption was: Experiencing
Michael glanced at Ivanka.Ivanka kept her eyes lowered and focused on nothing in particular. Both of them tacitly agreed not to bring it up.“Let’s go out to eat,” Michael said. Ivanka agreed without hesitation.If they got ready and left at this time, they would be just in time for lunch.She went upstairs to freshen up. Michael did not rush her. He just smiled, as if he was telling her to take her time.Ivanka felt a little embarrassed and touched the tip of her nose. Truthfully, she was the one in a hurry because she was the one starving.Five minutes later, she came back down.She had changed into a long black down coat that reached her ankles. It was practical and warm.But the weather was still unbearably cold. This winter was harsher than usual.“Let’s go.” She rubbed her hands together and looked at Michael.Michael was on his phone. He was smiling and looked relaxed. With just a glance, Ivanka could tell he was probably making a reservation.Their long-standing
Ivanka slept in the next day. By the time she woke up, the sun was already streaming through the window, casting light across her bed and face.In a way, the sunlight had forced her awake.She frowned slightly before slowly opening her eyes. The brightness left spots in her vision, so she instinctively raised a hand to shield herself before getting out of bed.It was already past 10 a.m.She had no idea how she managed to sleep so much, especially after napping all afternoon the day before.Then again, maybe she was just that exhausted. So much had been going on lately.Fortunately, it was Saturday, so she did not have to go to the office.That was probably why her internal clock had not woken her at seven as usual.Come to think of it, her body’s internal clock was quite accommodating.On workdays, no matter how tired she was, she always woke up at seven sharp. But on weekends, that never happened. She could sleep in as much as she wanted, which was pretty great.She lay in