At that moment, Chiara knew nothing. She may find the answer in the company.It was very late at night.Michael had not gone to bed.He was inside his room and had just taken his shower. He looked grim. Apparently, he was still angry with Ivanka.His phone rang. It only showed the numbers without the caller’s name.Michael and Ivanka shared the same habit of not saving anyone’s phone number. They all had good memories. The phone number was Evan’s. Michael picked up the call.“Mr. Barkworth, I already have someone investigating the incident. The culprit is very well hidden. Hence, we couldn’t discover many clues.”“So this is your answer for me?” Michael sounded creepier.Evan continued, “The bunch of people who insulted Ms. Lane last time are different from this batch. Someone paid them to do the job. After an investigation, we can confirm that it was from the same employer. I suspected Chiara, but I can’t find any clues from her.”Michael frowned deeply and said nothing.E
Ivanka recovered her senses and shook her head. “Nothing.” She remembered Chiara. But she did not think sharing this with Michael was necessary. Michael and Chiara’s relationship was a strange, enigmatic thing. Although he already knew that Chiara was not his savior, he always treated her differently. Michael’s expression darkened upon noticing Ivanka’s silence. He thought. “At the end of the day, I’m just a busybody. She never considered seeking my help. Bah!” Michael sprang up. He stopped talking to her and headed out. He casually closed the door. Still, Ivanka sensed that he was upset. She leaned against the headboard and did not bother to call Michael. She did not bother to explain to him. After all, she never considered seeking his help. They were worlds apart in many aspects. Her actions explicitly showed this to him. Hence, she believed he would stop helping her with the investigation. ... While most people slept soundly that night, some did not. Ivanka woke
Michael was not around that day. Ivanka made herself at home. Sandy kept her company. They had a good chat. Sometimes, Sandy forced Ivanka to go to bed. It was almost evening when Sandy turned to Ivanka and asked with a smile, “Bestie, what do you want to eat?” “Anything.” Ivanka was not a picky eater. “Good. I’ll prepare dinner now.” “Thank you.” “Don’t mention it. I’ll remember the number of times I prepare meals for you. You’ll return the same favor in the future. As the saying goes, one has to return the favor by multiple folds. I’ll call someone to prepare the meals for you and in return, you’ll cook for me. Okay?” Sandy looked pleased as she said. Ivanka could not help but let out a bark of laughter. “You’re right.” Sandy was amused. She often had Ivanka treat her meals for free. Sandy said, “Fine. I’ll have someone to prepare the meal for you.” “Okay.” Sandy headed out. Meanwhile, Ivanka’s phone rang. When she saw the numbers, the smile in her eyes faded. She
Chiara thought. “No way! That’s impossible! “Why did my dad sell off our properties all of a sudden? He’s the president of Lane’s Group. Why would he end up like this?” Chiara instantly refuted, “You’re lying!” At that moment, there was a hint of rebuke in Chiara’s voice. Yet, she was on tenterhooks and listened attentively to Ivanka as she did not want to miss a single word from her. Ivanka chuckled. “I don’t know if it’s true. After all, I did not have firsthand experience of it. I only learned it from others.” Chiara was angry. If Ivanka spoke with certainty, it could be true, and Chiara would be skeptical about it. However, Ivanka gave her an ambiguous answer. As such, Chiara grew increasingly uncertain and worried. She wondered. “How did we become like this?” She lost interest in talking to Ivanka. Ivanka seemed very understanding and said, “It looks like you’re unaware of it. Instead of calling me, ask your dad what he’s been up to recently. I also heard that some
Ivanka simply did not feel like talking to Chiara anymore.Her earlier words were enough for Chiara to understand what was going on.Chiara was smart; she probably had already figured it out. She would likely uncover more through arguments with Theodore and Lyla tonight.Ivanka smiled. She felt uncomfortable seeing Chiara lead such a leisurely life without any sense of urgency.Chiara had been anxious lately due to her involvement in various incidents that attracted the police’s attention. This had led her to depressive tendencies. Consequently, Ivanka surmised that Theodore would not inform Chiara about what happened to him. As a result, Chiara remained unaware of the situation and continued to live naively. However, Ivanka understood that this was not what Chiara desired. Therefore, it was only natural for Ivanka to help fulfill Chiara’s wish to uncover the truth.Just as Ivanka was thinking about this, her phone rang once more. She thought it was Chiara calling again, yet to
Jonah raised an eyebrow. “Are you already at your breaking point?”James’s expression changed. He could only awkwardly clear his throat and narrow his eyes.He touched his nose and said, “Mr. Sadler, you knew she was hurt, and you were really worried when you found out. Why didn’t you ask about her injury?”“Asking would just make her think I’m spying on her.”James was at a loss for words.Jonah watched Ivanka around the clock. Was that not basically spying on her?She would surely think he had crossed the line if she found out, even though he did not intend to harm or protect her.But James did not dare say that. He could only nod and say, “Mmm... Yeah, you’re right.”Whatever the boss said was right, no doubt!Jonah glanced at him casually. James tensed up and hesitated for a moment before asking, “So... should I continue preparing the item you requested last time? They might not return soon.”“Yes,” Jonah replied promptly.James acknowledged it. When he noticed that Jona
“You...”She spoke briefly before forcing herself to stop.Her quiet voice contrasted with Lyla’s loud enthusiasm as she exclaimed, “Chiara, Theodore, I made your favorite fish and chips today! Try them and tell me how they taste!”Chiara took a deep breath and decided to wait until they finished eating before questioning them.Theodore said excitedly, “Oh, that sounds delicious. Let me try!”Despite having no appetite, Chiara forced herself to eat because she did not want Theodore and Lyla to go hungry that night.After pushing herself to finish the meal, she calmly set down her utensils and observed her parents as they wiped their mouths with napkins.Her expression became stern as she said seriously, “I have something to ask you.”Theodore and Lyla glanced at her with puzzled expressions. Lyla frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Why so serious?”Chiara ignored Lyla and directed her gaze solely at Theodore. “What has been happening recently? How long do you plan to keep hiding
Chiara took a deep breath as her frustration became more apparent. “Why are you still keeping things from me? Do you think I’m immature and that I’ll eventually reveal the secrets? Or do you doubt my ability to handle these matters or find solutions? Regardless, we are a family. I’m your only child. Why won’t you just share these matters with me? Let me help shoulder the burden with you!“Don’t keep things from me just to protect me. It’s unfair to me! You might think you’re protecting me, but all you’re doing is deceiving me!”Chiara was noticeably louder than before. She looked profoundly aggrieved.Theodore’s expression changed as he sighed helplessly, “What’s it going to take for you to trust us?!”Chiara shook her head in disbelief and looked at them incredulously. “I’ve told you so much! Yet you’re still keeping secrets from me!”Lyla quickly intervened, “Chiara, calm down. It’s not about hiding things from you or not. We’re genuinely puzzled by what you’re saying. Why would