Chapter 158: Clever Means 
Let me tell you, it’s quite ridiculous. Cyril stirred up this whole thing, yet for some reason, that old man couldn’t wrap his head around it. He insisted on thinking it had something to do with Sylvia. He’s been pestering me for quite some time to meet up, which got me really annoyed. So, I finally decided to meet with him and see what he’s up to. 
When you arrange to meet up, you gotta call in the main players. So, Stanford called Sylvia over again. After all this time, nobody really knows the relationship between Sylvia and Stanford, let alone what ties Sylvia has with Ivanov Group. 
“I got it. I’ll finish up work a bit early tonight and head back.” 
After Sylvia agreed, she hung up immediately and started dealing with today’s tasks urgently. Finishing up work early meant leaving the office on time and not dragging 
tomorrow’s affairs 
Sylvia managed to leave work relatively early, but by the time she got home, it was already half past six. As she reached her doorstep, she spotted two cars parked outside – one belonging to the old man, and the other to Bonnie 
She had initially thought it would just be the old man coming over tonight, but apparently, he’d also invited Bonnie. 
“Even though there’s quite an age gap between the two of us, your son’s upbringing has been really good. Bruce has been running the company well these years, and we all see it. But these youngsters nowadays, they just can’t sit still. They always feel like they can control everything. Look at how they’re handing over the family business to others for management, even to a woman. What if something goes wrong in the middle of it?” 

The old man never directly mentioned Sylvia, but his words insinuated her. Sylvia stood at the doorway without cushing in, listening for a while to see how the frame her. 
he old ma 
man would 
“Is there really any difference between what a man can do and what a woman can do? Whatever a man can accomplish, a woman can do just as well. And during this time, his management of the company has been excellent. So, there’s no need for the old man to worry. But old man, why exactly did you come here? just to tell me that a woman can’t handle things as well as a man? If that’s the case, I think it’s unnecessary. I understand her better than you do.” 
Her own father wasn’t mincing words, especially when he got serious. He didn’t really like the old man, and Sylvia wondered if the old man could feel it. But the old man was quite a sly fox, probably could sense it, yet he remained silent. 
“This woman’s always been quite cunning What can you understand? Don’t let her deceive you. She’s turned yours 
son around her finger. She divorced my son, and now she’s become the vice president of the company. Tell me, which woman has the ability to pull that off? But she did it. I didn’t come here today to say anything bad. Just wanted to remind you, she’s not a good person. Back when she was in our house.” 
“old man, why don’t you elaborate on how I was back when I was in your house? Tell us how much I sacrificed for your family, and how your family repaid me by being ungrateful wolves.” 

Slowly walking in, Sylvia realized her mistake. It wasn’t just Bonnie here; even Michelle had come. The whole family stood together, neatly arranged, ready to tarnish her reputation. What a slimy move. 
Sylviasat beside her father with a smile, the atmosphere between father and daughter quite pleasant. 
“Back already. How’s work going?” 
“Not bad. I’ve pretty much wrapped up today’s tasks, but I’ve got another meeting later.” 
“Alright. When’s the meeting? Do you want to have dinner earlier? 
“No need for that. Let’s have the meeting around ten tonightWe’ve got to consider the time difference for the other party” 
“Alright, make sure to rest early afterward. Don’t overwork yourself.” 
The two conversed as if nothing unusual was happening, just like any ordinary father–daughter chat. But the three of them had suspected Sylvia of using underhanded means to enter the Ivanov family Seeing Sylvia charting with Stanford only fueled their doubts about her identity. 
“See, I told you she’s quite the schemer. Now, she’s even getting cozy with you. Who knows how many secrets she has hidden.” 
With these words, Stanford’s expression changed. Was there something wrong with him saying this to his daughter? It’s normal to care about your child, right? Didn’t the old man care about his own kids? 
“Old man, since you’re our guest, I didn’t speak too harshly. But when you were i my house earlier, you should have respected my family, Whatever she’s like, I know it very well. No need for your performance here. How much injustice has this child endured in your house? 1 lmow it too well. Your family has been treating others like dirt for years, and now you come here deliberately to tarnish her. Your family’s hearts are blacker than coul. No wonder your business can only go this far.” 
Stanford rolled his eyes. Now, he wasn’t giving them an inch, neither in appearance nor in reality. 
Their company indeed had been doing quite well, but when it came to Stanford’s generation, things started going downhill. The old man had his time of glory with the company, but with a foolish child like his, the company slowly declined, eventually going bankrupt if it weren’t for Cyril’s business acumen in starting his own company and gradually revitalizing the old one, their whole family might still be wandering the streets. 
Given this situation, they had the nerve to come and criticize his daughter. Regardless of what Sylvia thought, Stanford wouldn’t let this family off the hool 
“I was just giving you a heads–up. 
“Well, I’m really grateful for your concern. But if you have nothing else to say, it’s probably best for you to leave. We’re about to have dinner, and it’s not appropriate for you to stay. We didn’t plan on inviting your family to dinner” 
After finishing, Stanford grabbed Sylvie’s hand and walked into the dining room, paying no beed to the expressions of the other three. 
Bonnie and Michelle thought for sure that this time, the old man would give Syna a piece of his mind, but instead, Sylvia just made a few casual remarks, leaving them buming. 
“Fools!” The old inam cursed under his breath, ring on his cane and walking out. 
Bound and Michelle hurriedly followed behind him. 
Chapter 159. Grand Banquet