It was at this moment that Ivan thought of something. Since his powers were granted by the ring, why couldn't he use the same power on the ring itself?He had been trying to understand the ring for hours, but it was futile. He might as well strain his eyes and use the powers.After countless trials, Ivan finally realized that if he wanted to use his abnormal eyes, he would have to strain his eyes, and then he would be able to see things.With that said, Ivan took a deep breath before straining all his sense organs, especially his eyes. He did not want to miss any information, so he used all his powers at once.With all this, he did not believe that the ring would still be able to keep its secrets.The moment Ivan strained his sense organs, different smells and different sounds assaulted his nose and ears, respectively.He furrowed his brows and found it hard to divert all his attention to the ring. After trying so many times, he finally got the hang of it, and his attention was fixed
Ivan was still trying to remove the ring when a strange sound suddenly came from inside the ring. It seemed to be coming from another space, echoing and shocking Ivan.He couldn't decipher the owner of the voice's initial message because it was breaking and unclear. After a while, however, the voice became clearer."Ivan, finally."Upon hearing the voice, Ivan trembled and his eyes widened.A flood of feelings washed over him. The voice resembled a symphony of relieving tones, conveying authority and intelligence. It held a power that commanded respect, yet it was gentle and encouraging, like a warm hug.Tears welled in Ivan's eyes as he listened to those simple yet heartfelt words, reminiscent of that person. The voice brought back memories of a time long gone, while also evoking a longing for the lost connection. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with both joy and sorrow.In that moment, Ivan experienced a mix of emotions. He was shocked, never expecting to hear this voice again i
The connection with Ivan was finally cut off, and he started thinking about how to get to SOHO headquarters.**You must know that SOHO is very prestigious and has many branches under them, but three major companies under their name.**The founder of SOHO was also very prestigious as he never showed himself on camera despite his wealth. Ivan was sure that some people must have seen him before, but he probably silenced them with money or the promise to collaborate with them.It was a well-known fact that if your company is able to hold on to a gold mine like SOHO, then you've hit the jackpot, so every company wanted to collaborate with them.What got Ivan confused was why his parents wanted him to meet them at SOHO headquarters and how they got there. SOHO is very strict with their workers, and those who were not acknowledged as workers would never be able to enter their headquarters due to the strict security.Also, even if you are a worker, you must be in a high position and status be
Ivan walked quietly and cautiously, confident in his powers, but still unsure how to use them, especially as darkness fell.Suddenly, Ivan stepped on something very elastic and quickly took several steps back in alertness, causing the rustling of leaves to sound loud in the quiet atmosphere.Looking back, Ivan spotted a threatening sight—a curled copperhead snake with distinct markings, flickering in the pale twilight.The copperhead, with its striking brown bands and ruddy body, blended seamlessly with the fallen leaves. Its venomous teeth glistened, and its triangular head poised menacingly, ready to strike.The snake measured about 0.7 meters in length, and its long tail indicated it was male.Aware of the copperhead's bite not being lethal but still potentially dangerous without immediate medical attention, Ivan realized he had to be cautious, as he couldn't afford treatment.Furthermore, he wasn't sure if the ring he possessed could alleviate the pain, so he couldn't take any ris
Martial arts was not a joke!Many people had no choice but to pay any martial artists they saw to teach them, even if they didn't become experts. Most people were content with being able to protect themselves.Even bouncers were no match for expert martial artists because they trained in different ways. Moreover, they were very rare. In a city of millions of people, you could hardly find ten skilled martial artists.Some people were not even able to endure their training, so they withdrew, while some could endure their training but lacked talent and affinity.Those who became skilled in martial arts trained and endured for countless years. They did not become powerful in just one day like Ivan.Martial arts requires determination, years of experience, combat skills, and many other requirements. This is why most people give up. They cannot dedicate their lives just to learn martial arts.Although martial artists were rare, there were still some rich tycoons who could hire them to prote
Ivan tidied up what was left of his outfit. He was not allowed to take any cloth with him, so he had nothing to wear and no choice but to go like this.He hoped that he would see a good person on the way who would at least lend him some clothes.With that in mind, Ivan walked briskly into the forest and activated his eyes. The moment he did, everything became clear, and he was back in the surreal world.He did not dwell on that feeling for long as he focused his attention on trying to find the way out of the bush.A smile graced his lips soon after; he had found a way out.He dashed towards the direction and couldn't help but notice how fast he had become. But he was already used to the surprises, so he just yelped lightly and raced out of the bush like a bullet. Still, his speed could not compare to that of the strange man.Ivan finally reached the entrance and was greeted with a bustling street.In this vibrant road, the hustle and bustle of city life was in full swing. Individuals
**SOHO Headquarters**The organization's logo, conspicuously displayed on the veneer, serves as a symbol of its esteemed standing in the business world. The meticulously maintained exterior demonstrates the company's attention to detail and commitment to excellence.As daylight moves across the glass surface, it creates a mesmerizing play of light and shadow, giving the structure an ethereal quality. The grand entrance, framed by towering pillars, entices visitors with an air of refinement and significance.There were carefully arranged seating areas to welcome employees and guests, providing a place for relaxation and inspiration.The exterior of this prestigious organization exudes an aura of success, impressive skill, and innovation. It stands as a testament to the company's unwavering dedication to making a lasting impact in the business world.**Ivan's Reaction**Ivan's mouth remained open the entire time, and he stood rooted to one spot. Passersby couldn't help but scoff at his
Ivan walked towards the entrance, his steps hesitant and deliberate. He couldn't help but think that if he was also chased out by the bodyguards, he would continue to wait at the entrance, maybe his parents would come out.When the man who insulted Ivan earlier saw that Ivan didn't even spare him a glance, he clenched his fists and glared at Ivan in spite."Tsk-tsk, another person who doesn't know how high Mount Tai is," the man said, deliberately making his pitch a little bit louder to attract attention.When they saw the disheveled and ragged Ivan walking towards the entrance, they all laughed in amusement."Where is this joker from? Hahaha.""Look at those faded pants, they're even torn.""Even those who are decently dressed aren't allowed in. Why would they allow someone like him to enter?""It seems he's a newcomer.""Anyways, it's also good like this. We'll be able to watch another good show. We won't come here in vain.""Look at the bodyguard's face. He looks very terrifying wh
After they finally found a dress that they would wear for the ball, they sent all the designers packing, and the house seemed empty. Isabel and Rachel were both immensely tired.“I'm stressed; I need to go to a spa.”“Well, you can add that to the list of what we have to do tomorrow,” Rachel told her, and she nodded.“I really do not like being stressed out. It messes with my brain,” Isabel complained.“I wonder how your husband is coping. To be very honest, you're lazy. You can't even do any hard work for like three hours straight.”“Now, why would I want to do hard work for three hours? I was not made for stress; it's why I have my very loving husband that understands me,” Isabel said, and Rachel laughed.“Well, that's good because if your husband was not Ivan, I wonder what you'd have shown him. The people around you need to be very patient people,” Rachel told her, and she nodded.“That's why I have you, Chelsea, Elijah, and Richard. You all love me so much that it's suffocating,”
“I'm so stressed out. Let's quickly get today over with,” Isabel moaned as she sat down.“We have only just begun; have you forgotten that we are going to shop for the dresses that we will wear to the ball?” She asked her.“Oh, I totally forgot about that, darn.”“Good that you're here. That's how you'd have forgotten about it. It's important, you know,” Rachel told her.“I'm sorry, I've just been so stressed out, and now you're putting me through a hardcore workout,” she told him.“You need these every morning, you know, so you'll have a clear mind,” Rachel told her.“Clear mind how? I'm so stressed right now, and I can barely think, so please, there's no way I'm having a clear mind with this torture,” she groaned, and Rachel just laughed.“Now come on, it's important to keep fit. Go and take your bath,” Rachel told her, and she nodded.“You don't even have to tell me twice. Can't we just tell the designers to come here?”“Well, my house is too cramped up, right?”“My house? Let's go
“I've done a number on him,” Isabel muttered as she plopped down onto Rachel's bed.“Why do you say that?” Rachel asked as she removed her makeup.“He's now acting like a baby around me, like he's scared what might happen if he does some certain things with me. Ivan used to be so confident; he asked if he could hold me earlier after the panic attack,” she told her, and be nodded.“I understand that bit; you just need to be there for him. He needs you this time; make sure you don't let anything happen to him. It's the time to be there for him,” she told her, and Isabel nodded.“I know, I know. I just hope he gets better soon. The panic attack was so deadly to watch; I've never seen him have one. The way he clawed at his throat, Rachel, I don't think I want to see that again. It seemed like he wanted to die, and it drove me insane. I can't bear to see him die, you know,” Isabel told her, and she nodded.“I understand; don't worry. You guys have each other, and you're strong together, so
“Where the heck have you been, Isabel?” Elijah screamed at her on her way back to the office. Everybody stared at them due to how loud his voice was.“Don't you ever shout at me like that again,” Isabel warned him, and he still looked panicked.“I'm sorry, but everybody has been looking for you.”“Why? I was in Rachel's office; you know that's where I go most of the time.”“Darn it, it's Ivan,” Elijah said as they both got into the elevator.“What's wrong with him?” She asked hurriedly.“He's having those panic attacks again; it's worse this time around. I'm not comfortable leaving him but I was about to go to the announcement room and call your names through the speakers,” Elijah told her, and her own heart dropped.Why was he having these panic attacks? The elevator was not going fast enough; she kept staring at the numbers. She was burning inside, and when the elevator finally opened, she ran out. The people on the floor looked at her, but she didn't care.The man she loved was in
The moment Rachel got to the office, she was greeted by different people, and they complimented her dress. She smiled and felt happy; she liked dressing nicely and being complimented by people. It made her feel good. She quickly made her way to her office to start her work for the day. She had a lot of things to do, and because she didn't come to work yesterday, she knew she had to catch up on a lot of things today.She remembered her night with Dante and smiled as she entered her office. Maybe things were finally starting to be okay for her and Dante. Maybe they could do this after all, but she still didn't know what would happen. She knew that his father was so against the idea, so even if her own parents agreed, she wasn't sure his own father would allow it. She didn't know what to do, and she didn't want to think about it, so she resumed work immediately. She needed to catch up on things. They had a meeting tomorrow where she would have to give her briefing, so she wanted everythi
She opened her eyes but quickly closed them again. She didn't want to leave the bed; it was too comfortable for her. So, she closed her eyes, intending to go back to sleep. She didn't want to think about anything; she just wanted to continue being in the arms of the man she loved. She burrowed into his arms, but it felt empty. She immediately opened her eyes and looked beside her, only to find an empty space."Dante?" she called out, met with eerie silence. She sighed in disappointment, realizing that he was gone. She had expected him to still be there, and perhaps they could have talked some more. But she kept forgetting that he was a busy man and didn't always have time for what she wanted to do. Although she knew that if she told him she wanted him to stay, he would do so without hesitation, without thinking twice. And she loved him for that.She finally admitted to herself that she was in love with him. She thought as she plopped back down on the bed. She should probably have toda
After her conversation with her mom, she plopped down on the bed, contemplating her life and what to do next. She had achieved a lot at her age, and living in a cramped house was simply her choice. She could have easily afforded a penthouse for herself, given her hard work and the trust fund that would set her up for life. However, she wasn't lazy; she wanted to work hard and establish a trust fund for her future children as well. She had already started planning and saving for the children she would have, and the amount of money involved was not insignificant. She had clear goals that she wanted to achieve. For now, she knew that she simply wanted children. She didn't desire much more, just like her parents. Whether they came as twins or individually, she wanted kids. As for a husband, she couldn't envision herself with anyone other than Dante. She thought about it constantly, and he was the only person she could imagine being with. It was a strange feeling, but she just knew it. You
“Mom, come on, tell me. I'm itching to hear about her,” Rachel urged her mother.“Andrea, I don't want to spill your brother's secrets,” she told her, and she pouted.“But he knows all of mine,” she told her, and her mother glared at her.“Mommy.” She gave her that look that she couldn't resist.“Okay, okay.”“Thanks, mommy.”“I'll tell you, but you don't get to use it against him or I'll kill you personally,” her mother told her, and she knew that she took that threat seriously.“So, after you left, you know how your father changes maids in the house every year, except Nora?”“Yes.”“Serena came in as the next batch of maid for the year. It was only supposed to be a year actually. She was assigned to Andre, your brother's chambers. You know the typical boss falls for the maid, whatever. That was exactly what happened, but Serena didn't like him then. She gave him a hard time and she really messed with your brother's mind. He almost went crazy. Anytime they had an argument, he's alway
It was the weekend again and Ivan and Isabel had to sleep in the same bed in the same house, their children were growing rapidly and their wits were also growing with them, those children were smart and they got it from their father probably. Isabel wasn't a nerd so she wasn't exactly smart all the way, but their father was everything so of course, they were smart.They just finished dinner now and Ivan and Isabel just tucked their children to sleep after singing for them. It felt nice to do all these once again, Ivan liked it and Isabel didn't want it to end actually. That was how he wanted things to continue to go, smooth.They were finally back in their room and they both laid down, they have never cuddled after everything that happened then.“Let's talk,” Isabel told him and he pulled his perfect eyebrows together.“About what?” He asked.“About us.”“Okay….” He said carefully not knowing when this will end, he had no idea what she wanted to talk about and it drove him crazy. He w