Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

Chapter 939 36: I'm Ivan's Girlfriend

Ivan looked at Lia Aiken, and after Lia met his gaze, she introduced herself to Grace Chandler, "Hello, my name is Lia Aiken, I'm Ivan's girlfriend." She had thought it through, and naturally wanted to assert her identity in front of women who liked Ivan—he was hers!

Upon hearing that Lia called herself his girlfriend, Ivan's gaze towards her became even gentler, with a smile in his eyes.

Grace Chandler didn't expect Lia to claim she was Ivan's girlfriend, even if she saw them close like a couple in love, she deeply hoped it was just a misunderstanding, and the two weren't romantically involved.

Now, hearing Lia say this herself and seeing Ivan not even looking at her, with his eyes only on Lia, the undisguised affection was like a needle piercing Grace's heart, causing her smile to falter.

How could it be!

It's been just a few days since she last phoned Ivan. It seemed only about ten days ago, and back then Ivan didn't have a girlfriend. In just a few days, he had found a girlfriend, and Ivan truly seemed to like this woman named Lia.

Thinking about her years of unrequited love yielding no result, even if she learned to let go now and follow Victoria Kelly's mother's arrangement to meet several men for potential matchmaking, exchanging contacts with one, planning to understand him deeply, knowing that Ivan has someone he likes makes Grace want to go mad with jealousy.

But she was no longer the little reporter from back then.

Soon, she suppressed her jealousy, still smiling, but her eyes carried an uncontrollable grievance when she looked at Ivan, as if he owed her feelings.

"When did Mr. Ivan suddenly have a girlfriend, we had no idea."

Ivan then looked at Grace directly, his handsome face with a familiar smile she knew well, but she understood there was distance and a hint of coldness in that smile now. He said, "I have my privacy, don't I? My girlfriend is shy, and I fear revealing too soon would have you media reporters staring and scare her."

Listen, Ivan protecting a girl.

Grace heard her heart breaking.

Yet she still had to maintain her smiling face, laughing, "Mr. Ivan doesn't trust anyone, not even me?"

Ivan looked at her, half-smiling, but didn't respond.

Grace felt stifled.

"Grace, I need to take Lia to buy some things, we're heading off." Ivan didn't want to converse with Grace further, even knowing Grace had professional ethics, that was when he was yet without a girlfriend and she liked him, so she subconsciously defended him.

Ivan wasn't afraid of Grace, even though she had changed now, she couldn't escape that it was through him she reached today's standing; he could let Grace use him to climb up to this level, and he could also let her fall back down to her original place, or even worse. His fear was that Lia might misunderstand, hence he planned to leave with Lia.

"Then I won't disturb Mr. Ivan and Miss Lia." Grace smiled, presenting her business card to Lia and said smilingly, "Miss Lia, feel free to contact me often. Mr. Ivan and I can be considered long-time blue confidants."

After speaking, she dared not look at Ivan's expression and hurriedly took the first step to leave.

Lia watched Grace's silhouette blend into the crowd quickly, holding the business card given by Grace. After glancing at it, she tucked the card into her pocket.

She looked up at Ivan. With the light of the street lamp, Ivan noticed her pretty face slightly flushed. Being a smart man, he quickly understood the reason behind her blush. He smiled, raised her hand, interlocking their fingers tightly, leaned closer, and whispered softly in her ear, "Lia, I'm very happy you just called yourself my girlfriend. Have you agreed to be my girlfriend?"

Lia nodded boldly, then asked him in return, "What, do you want to go back on your word? Let me tell you, that's not allowed!"

Ivan laughed, "Don't worry, I absolutely won't go back on my word."

He led her toward his car.

Once in the car, as he started driving, Lia spoke, "Miss Grace really likes you."

Ivan responded with an 'hmm', "She does like me."

He waited for a moment before explaining, "Lia, I've never liked her, nor are we really confidants. She just has professional ethics, and sometimes when I need to be interviewed by the media, I only accept hers."

Lia did not misunderstand him, nor did she feel jealous. She said, "With a man as excellent as you, if Miss Grace doesn't like you, I wouldn't believe it. Ivan, there's no need for you to explain. I won't misunderstand, nor will I be jealous. The ones who should be jealous are Miss Grace and those who secretly admire you. We haven't known each other long, but I trust you!"

She was among the lucky ones; it was others who envied and felt jealous.

Ivan turned to take a deep look at her then continued driving, "Lia, thank you for trusting me so much."

"If I've decided to be with you, the first thing is learning to trust you."

Lia's words made him think of his mother.

After marrying his father, his mother completely trusted him, which led to their loving relationship spanning decades.

Ivan hoped that he and Lia could be like his parents.

Isn't love about cultivating and managing it together?

Ivan took Lia to visit many places, and it was only after ten at night when he accompanied Lia back to the hotel. Watching Lia carrying the bouquet he gifted her into the hotel, Ivan waited for a while longer until Lia went upstairs to her room and sent him a message, only then did he drive away.

He didn't go straight home but headed to Jimmy's place.

Knowing he would come, Jimmy had been waiting for him. Camila Ruiz had planned to wait with him, but at night the children stuck to her, so Camila had to put them to bed, and she herself fell asleep.

By the time Ivan arrived, only his cousin was waiting for him under the lamp.

"You're here, brother."

Jimmy heard footsteps, stood up, turning to watch Ivan stride in.

"Mm-hmm, is Camila and the children asleep?" Ivan asked in a low voice.

Jimmy nodded, "Once evening comes, my daughter doesn't even want me, just sticks to Camila."

This made him a bit jealous; he felt he pampered his daughter more than his wife, but come evening, his daughter only wanted her mom, even sleeping wrapped up in her mom with her chubby little hands and feet.

Only in the evening does Jimmy's affection for his daughter lessen a bit, because his daughter being a little lamp affects his wife and him rolling in the sheets. Many times, midway, the daughter would cry; quite the mood killer.

"Children are still small, and at night they still look for their mom," Ivan, although fond of his cousin's two kids, hadn't personally cared for them overnight, so he spoke lightly.

He sat on the sofa, saw the folder on the coffee table, and while picking it up, asked Jimmy, "Did you check everything clearly?"

"When your brother makes a move, is there anything left unclear?"

Ivan shot him a glance, snorted twice, and Jimmy, recalling his deliberate secrecy, laughed awkwardly.