For once, Michael did not listen and slow down. He stepped on the gas pedal.The car did not stop until they reached the dock.Ivanka glared at him. She said nothing and did not rush to get out of the car. But it was clear that she was angry.Michael looked at Ivanka being all puffed up from anger and could not help but feel a little amused. Just as he reached out his hand to rub her hair, Ivanka dodged it.Michael’s hand froze in mid-air.He resentfully withdrew his hand and apologized, “I saw that people are already arriving one after another. If people saw you getting off halfway, it would seem even more suspicious, right? It’s better to be graceful and alight at the pier together. No one will overthink or ask too many questions.”Ivanka still did not answer. However, her expression was not as cold as before, at least it softened quite a bit.Her glare was not as cold as before either. Ivanka unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car.Michael also followed right after
Ivanka was silent.Michael suddenly remembered something and said, “In fact, you are not much older than Candice. She can cry when things happen, and she can be afraid. And you… don’t need to force yourself to hold on.”Michael was trying to say that he had Ivanka’s back. But in the end, he could not say it.Ivanka smiled. It had a hint of mockery in it, but was beautiful and eye-catching.Compared to her, the blue sea instantly seemed to lose its color and became a backdrop to frame her beauty. “I’m not forcing myself to hold on. I simply am unaffected.”With that said, Ivanka left and began greeting everyone.One by one, people boarded the ship. By 4 p.m., almost everyone was here. Most of them were relatively punctual.Ferris and Mandy were exceptions.Candice had just come out of the captain’s room. She walked through the crowd with rushed steps and found Ivanka in a hurry.She said, “The captain asked if we should set sail now. If we keep staying, he’s afraid we won’t
“I’m sorry, Mr. Clark. I was busy just now and did not receive your call. Ms. Lane is still socializing, and she can’t leave. Her phone is with me.”Ferris kept his anger down and asked, “I’m asking you this now. What do we do now?”Candice said unhurriedly, “Here’s the situation, Mr. Clark. Ms. Lane took into consideration that it would be unsafe to land after dark. So, she set the time to be 4 p.m. on the dot. The both of you were late. But out of sentiment, Ms. Lane has prepared a separate boat for you. As to whether you two want to come or not, it’s all up to you.”After saying that, Candice directly hung up the phone.At that exact moment, a man in a fisherman’s attire approached.When he walked in, Mandy raised and pinched her nose.The fisherman looked embarrassed but remembered his purpose and asked, “Are you Mr. Ferris Clark and Ms. Mandy Cruella?” Mandy refused to speak. Ferris tidied his suit while almost humming a syllable from out of his nose.The fisherman said,
Ivanka glanced at him. She did not say anything and walked ahead on her own.Everyone else had already landed except for two people, Ferris and Mandy.Central Island was massive. Ivanka had just chartered the whole island up.When they landed, it was 6 p.m. Ivanka brought everyone to the dining area after they had fun for a while until 6:30 p.m.The dining area was a buffet-styled ball.Food was on both sides, with plenty of cold cuts, charcuterie and fresh produce. They were all very fresh too.In the center was the dance floor.Everyone could invite their desired dance partner to dance with them here.Ivanka sat by the side as she watched the men and women on the dance floor. She drank quietly by herself.A man approached with a glass of wine.Ivanka noticed and looked back at him.The man gave a slight greeting toward Ivanka and sat down next to her right after. However, he kept a respectable social distance between them so that Ivanka would not be able to plan anything.
All eyes around them focused on the pair.Michael caught sight of the dejected young man walking away from the corner of his eye. A triumphant smirk played on his lips. He exuded the air of a victor and gave a gentlemanly bow.“Ms. Ivanka, may I have the honor of this opening dance?”Ivanka smiled. She felt a mix of exasperation and genuine amusement.Slowly, she placed her hand in Michael’s and prompted a wave of cheers and applause from the crowd.As the music began, everyone paused. Their attention was drawn to Ivanka and Michael on the dance floor.Under the crowd’s gaze, neither showed a hint of nervousness.When Michael advanced, Ivanka retreated; when Ivanka moved forward, Michael stepped back. Their movements were fluid and perfectly in sync.Ivanka’s dance was mesmerizing. Her every gesture and motion carried an elegance uniquely her own.When the music swelled and her red dress twirled through the air, she looked utterly stunning.The spotlight tracked their every m
Mandy’s once-beautiful makeup was smudged beyond recognition. It was as embarrassing as it could get.They had planned to sneak away unnoticed and find a room to freshen up.Actually, the crowd was immersed in the joyous atmosphere. No one seemed to notice them.However, Candice, always sharp-eyed, spotted them immediately.After Ivanka finished speaking, it was Candice’s turn to address the crowd.She smiled as she stepped onto the stage. She took the microphone and began by expressing her gratitude to Ivanka. Then, feigning surprise, she looked toward the back of the crowd. “Mr. Clark, Ms. Cruella, what happened to you? Why are you in such a state?”The crowd turned to follow her gaze and spot the disheveled duo.At that moment, Mandy wanted nothing more than to strangle Candice.To make matters worse, the lighting technician, mistaking them for special guests, spotlighted them.It threw their embarrassing state into full view.If not for the inappropriate setting, Mandy mi
Michael had just stepped out of the restroom. To get back into the event, he either needed to take the direct route or make a long detour around half the venue.And yet, this woman was shamelessly occupying the passageway. She seemed completely at ease with inconveniencing others.Mandy flushed, not from coyness, but from sheer embarrassment.Thinking back to her earlier assumptions and behavior, she wished she could disappear into the floor.She whispered, “Sorry,” before stepping aside to clear the way.Michael said nothing, but the disdain in his gaze cut deeper than any words could.Mandy watched as Michael walked straight toward Ivanka.Even when Ivanka was not speaking to him, Michael simply stayed quietly by her side.The sight made Mandy’s grip on her wine glass tighten abruptly. Her eyes flashed with intense jealousy.Her emotions, too intense to contain, did not go unnoticed by Ferris.When Mandy snapped out of her thoughts, she realized Ferris was staring directly
Ivanka sneered and thought to herself. “So this is why the fox is suddenly acting friendly toward the hen. Now their intentions are clear.”Mandy, seizing the moment, raised her glass of red wine. Apologizing was not easy for her, but she convinced herself that everything would return to her favor by the end of the night.She forced herself to say it. “Ms. Ivanka, I was out of line before. Let me toast to you. I hope we can put our past grievances behind us. You’re magnanimous. Please forgive me.”Perhaps imagining Ivanka’s downfall later tonight, Mandy’s lips curled into a smile. It carried just enough of an impression of sincerity to make her words seem genuine.Ivanka smiled and said, “Sure. If you want to come back, just go through the interview process. I won’t stand in your way. But whether or not you can return to the company will depend on your own abilities.”Ferris and Mandy’s faces immediately darkened.Ivanka clearly understood they were asking for Mandy’s reinstateme
Ivanka did not pay him any mind and got into the car. If Michael dared to chase after her again, she would most definitely kick him out of the car! She would do what she said she would!Michael did not catch up, but he blocked her with his arms wide open. His stance was clear: You can leave. But over my dead body! Ivanka could not possibly drive over Michael. But it was not a problem for Michael to keep blocking her way. Plus, she had just politely rejected his parents. So, it was even more impossible for her to turn back. Ivanka ran out of patience. She held her forehead and frowned. Michael had already drained her last bit of patience. She never imagined that Michael would actually cling to her to such an extent! How would she put it? All her positivity had been drained clean! “Michael, your parents are still at home. Aren’t you afraid they’ll see and laugh at you? I know Grandpa and Grandma are standing by our side now. It’s not like you and I haven’t been in
Ivanka would neither accept the carrot nor the stick approach. Michael had no choice but to persuade her with reason and win her over with affection. Ivanka snorted. “Have you ever given me a chance to have a meal with you before this? As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time for things to come to this state. Things might have passed for you but not for me!” Ivanka’s gaze was razor-sharp. Michael felt his heart clench up. At that moment, his throat was in so much pain that he did not know what else to say to her. Ivanka did not wait for his response. She pushed away his hand and headed out without hesitation. Michael did not stop her. Nonetheless, he went after her and followed behind her. Meanwhile, they heard the sound from the kitchen. Mindy prepared dinner in the kitchen, and Jay helped her out. They had heard their conversation. Out of courtesy, Ivanka went to the kitchen and greeted them. She said with a smile, “Uncle Jay, Aunt Mindy, I’m
Ivanka clenched her fists. Her gaze was filled with ferocity. She looked like she was really going to punch Michael. Michael noticed the anger in her eyes. But since the person was none other than Ivanka, he was willing to take the beating. He even took a step forward and held his head high. “Strike me if you want.” “You!” Ivanka glared at Michael. He truly annoyed her. She reminded herself to keep her composure. She sucked in a deep breath before saying, “Michael, I’ve treated you with respect. You’d better behave yourself.” Right after she finished the sentence, Ivanka left. Before she even took a step forward, Michael grabbed her. “My mom is preparing the dishes inside the kitchen. If you leave now, you’re not showing me any respect. Please stay around to have dinner. Even though we’re already divorced, and it’s impossible for us to get back together again, we’re still friends,” said Michael. Haha! He had been adamant. He was using the same approach to draw close
Mindy’s expression instantly darkened. “What’s with us being prejudiced against her? Had I ever targeted her when she married Michael from the beginning? “She knew how well Rosie had treated her. It’s her own fault for failing to bond with Mic. How could you blame us?” Mindy had always disliked Ivanka. She believed Samuel’s intervention had been the reason for their marriage. It was an arranged marriage. There was no need for the Barkworth’s family to have an arranged marriage. At the end of the day, it was all up to Samuel to choose the bride for Michael. Ever since Ivanka married Michael, aside from the deliberate arrangements, they had hardly shown up together as a couple in public. Mindy did not have any particularly hard feelings for Ivanka. She believed the two would live happily together after getting married. After they divorced, Mindy thought Michael could start all over again. But she did not expect to see their current relationship was no different from when they
It was Jay and Mindy. When Ivanka saw them, a thought came across her mind. She took out a syringe and inserted it into Michael’s arm to unmute him. Michael felt like he had been stung by a bee. It was as though he had been put in jail, only to be freed all of a sudden. Ivanka took away the syringe and gave him a glance with displeasure. “Get out of the car now. Your parents are here—” “Aren’t you entering the house?” Before Ivanka finished her sentence, Michael interrupted her. When he looked at her, his eyes were filled with sincerity and seriousness. But Ivanka rejected him coldly. “Quick! Get out of the car! I’m not joking with you. Get out now!” “Let’s go in together. After all, you’re already here. Are you worried about seeing them?” Michael was undaunted by her emotions and tone. Instead, he stretched out his hand to try to grab Ivanka. Nonetheless, she avoided him with ease. Meanwhile, Jay and Mindy saw them. They walked over to them. Mindy glanced at th
It was no wonder Jonah asked for so many details. All these were facts.Ivanka did not avoid answering his questions. She gave a light smile. “The longest will be half a year.”If the treatment was ineffective after half a year, she would go to Silvania with Vincent.After all, it was not just about her.Upon learning of Ivanka’s decision, Jonah smiled wryly. “Iv, I don’t think it’s an easy feat to treat my legs. How about you go and deal with your stuff first? You can always treat my legs afterward.”Ivanka initially planned to do it that way. But George, Florence, and Margaret had interrupted her plan.Since she had returned to Bostone, why was there a need to travel back and forth again?She might as well treat Jonah’s legs.Besides, Vincent had informed her that it would be highly uncertain whether they could still return to their home country after arriving at Silvania.Ivanka said, “No. I don’t want to make so many trips. I’ll treat your legs for half a year and see if i
It was not an overstatement to say Michael was crossing the line. Nonetheless, Ivanka could not just sit there and watch the two men get into a conflict. Hence, Ivanka pulled Michael to the side and glanced at him. “If you don’t want to be kicked out, you’d better wait here.” But Michael was undaunted by Jonah. Although Jonah had the power to rebuke him in his own territory, Michael refused to allow Jonah to get the upper hand. Ivanka saw the determination in Michael’s eyes. She was very worried that the two might get into a fight. She quickly pulled him back. “Stop making me worry about you. Just wait here! If you dare to come after me, I’ll…” Although she did not finish her sentence, her intention was clear enough. If Michael disobeyed her, she would make him a statue! Understanding this, Michael did not follow Ivanka. But when Jonah turned around and left, the provocation in his eyes was evident. Still, Michael listened to Ivanka. He did not want to offend her. He
Jonah narrowed his eyes while questioning Michael. Still, Michael did not respond to him. Ivanka pursed her lips. She looked displeased when she answered Jonah, “Jonah, there’s no need to speak so harshly. Do you still want me to treat your legs?” She had temporarily made Michael mute. She did that to stop Michael from talking endlessly about those things. Nonetheless, he had still insisted on coming along with her, only to end up being targeted by Jonah. Ivanka had no intention of making Michael mute in front of Jonah. Upon hearing Ivanka’s words, Jonah looked at where she currently stood. She stood in front of Michael. It looked like she was trying to protect him more. As the saying went, true love was portrayed in hard times. This saying was true indeed. It was true that Ivanka cared about Michael. Jonah said gently to Ivanka, “I want you to treat my legs, and I only speak harshly to specific people. I already showed him much respect when he barged into my terri
Michael remained resolute.Ivanka rolled her eyes. “Then stay stubborn. I’ll only fix it when you stop pushing me away.”After she was done speaking, she turned to leave.Michael followed.He even opened the passenger door and got in her car. He was determined to follow her.But Ivanka would not go easy on him.Once inside, she warned him coldly, “Not being able to speak is harder than you think. Follow if you want. Michael, are you sure about this?”Even after her warning, he kept staring straight ahead.She said nothing more and started the engine.Within half an hour, she arrived at Jonah’s mansion.Jonah came out to greet her personally. The moment Ivanka parked the car, Jonah immediately spotted Michael in the passenger seat.The sight of him stirred up bitterness in Jonah. Yet there was nothing he could do.Before Ivanka exited the car, she said to Michael, “Wait here.”Without glancing at him, she walked straight toward Jonah.Her attitude made Michael decide t