billion book
Chapter 1144: Keep Your Distance From Ivan
Chapter 1144: Keep Your Distance From Ivan
Chapter 1144: Keep Your Distance from Ivan
"Go straight home. I'll come pick you up later. Have Auntie prepare some food for you at home. I'll be
back in about two hours," Zane's voice came through the phone.
Yanis responded, "Alright, I'll head home first. Let Uncle Dylan and the others know that I'll visit them
later."
Zane acknowledged, "Drive safely."
After hanging up the phone, Yanis was about to drive back to D-king Castle when her phone, which
was placed beside her, started ringing.
It was a call from Ivan.
Yanis had been busy with her shop lately and hadn't contacted Ivan much. Seeing his call now made
her realize that they hadn't communicated for over a month. The last time they spoke was a few days
before Sandy and Brandon's wedding, discussing matters related to Madison.
Collecting her thoughts, Yanis reached for her phone and answered, "Ivan?"
"Where are you?" Ivan's voice came through the phone.
Yanis replied truthfully, "I just had a prenatal checkup and left the hospital."
"I'm back in Manches City. Want to grab a meal together?" Ivan's voice echoed through the phone.
Yanis glanced at the time on her phone. "Where are you? I can come find you."
"I just got off the plane. I'll head to the Xie residence first, and then I'll pick you up later."
"In that case, wait for me at the airport. I'll be there soon. Traffic isn't too bad at this hour, so it'll take
around twenty minutes."
"Did you go for the checkup alone?" Ivan asked, sidestepping her question.
Yanis confirmed, "Yes. Uncle Dylan and Aunt Rachel had something to attend to at the hospital this
morning. Since Phoebe was alone, I asked Ivan to go help her out."
"Yanis, don't always think about others. Sometimes, be a bit selfish and put yourself first," Ivan advised.
Yanis smiled and said, "I know. Should I come pick you up?"
"Take it easy on the road."
Yanis acknowledged and hung up the phone, changing her direction to head towards the airport.
Upon arriving at the airport, Yanis sent Zane a message before calling Ivan.
As Ivan picked up the call, he asked, "Have you arrived?"
Yanis confirmed, "I'm at the southern exit."
"Wait there. I'm coming over."
Ivan soon approached and knocked on the car window.
Yanis rolled down the window and greeted Ivan, "Why did you suddenly come back? You didn't mention
it beforehand."
Ivan gestured for her to open the trunk and he stowed his luggage in it. Then he joined her in the
driver's seat, waving at Sandy. "Get out, I'll drive."
Yanis didn't argue and got out of the car. "You drive. I'm not really in the mood to drive, and it's quite
crowded."
Ivan helped her out of the car and noticed her pregnant belly. He grinned, "It's really something."
Yanis looked at him quizzically. "What's so special?"
Ivan pointed at her abdomen. "There are really two little rascals in there?"
"How did you know they're rascals?"
Ivan supported Yanis as they walked to the passenger side, opening the door for her before continuing,
"Just a hunch."
Yanis said, "Zane said the same thing."
"Men's instincts are pretty accurate."
Yanis chuckled. "Alright, let's head back."
Ivan acknowledged and closed the door. He then circled around to the driver's seat and settled in.
Just as Ivan started the car and drove out of the airport, Zane called.
Ivan glanced at Yanis and decided to take the call, saying, "What's up?"
"Why can't you find the car by yourself? Or have you forgotten your way back home? Don't you know
what's going on with Yanis?" Zane's voice crackled through the phone.
"I'm delighted to inform you."
Zane sighed heavily. "What are you back for?"
"Why do you think I'm back? Isn't it obvious?"
Zane nearly cursed, "Is Yanis there?"
"Right beside me."
Yanis, upon hearing Ivan's response, looked up at him. "Zane?"
Ivan acknowledged with a grunt and then turned back to Zane. "Do you want to say something to her?"
Yanis shook her head. "It's fine. I already messaged him earlier."
Ivan nodded and said to Zane, "She's fine. She messaged you earlier."
Zane hung up, but Ivan remained on the line, waiting for any other words from Zane.
"Take care of her. I'll come find you guys later."
Ivan couldn't help but chuckle. "Shouldn't you be more polite to me now?"
"Why would I be polite to you?"
Ivan replied, "I'm your small brother-in-law now, aren't I?"
Zane snorted, "I prefer Antonio as a small brother-in-law. He knows boundaries and respects them."
Ivan chuckled, "Sorry, even if you don't like it, I'm still your small brother-in-law!"
Zane simply hung up.
Then Yanis's phone rang.
Yanis answered, "Zane?"
"Keep your distance from Ivan!" As soon as the call connected, Zane's voice sounded from the phone.
Yanis laughed. "Are you done with everything?"
"I'm still at the hospital, but I'll be heading back soon." Zane finished his sentence, "Want to go eat with
him later?"
Yanis acknowledged, "Are you coming?"
"Give me the address later."
"Sure."
Yanis ended the call and looked at Ivan. "Why did you suddenly come back this time?"
"After being away for a while, I
wanted to see you guys again."
Seeing that Ivan wasn't saying much, Yanis decided not to pry further. "Should we call Bonnie to join us
for lunch?"
"Give her a call."
Yanis nodded and dialed Bonnie's number.
Bonnie answered, "Yanis?"
"I'm with Ivan. Want to join us for lunch later?"
"Is Ivan back?" Bonnie's surprise was evident in her voice.
Yanis affirmed, "I just found out."
"Okay, see you later."
After hanging up, Yanis looked at Ivan. "Are you staying at Baxter Mansion?"
Ivan nodded, "I have some things to take care of."
Yanis was about to ask something, but the words stopped at the tip of her tongue.
The three of them had lunch at Shippou Restaurant. After they finished, Bonnie left in a hurry since she
had things to attend to.
Zane arrived when the three were finishing their meal. "Where's Bonnie?"
"Why did you ask about Bonnie first instead of Yanis? What's that supposed to mean?" Ivan glanced at
Zane, arching an eyebrow.
Zane pulled Yanis closer with his hand. "What do you think?"
Ivan snorted, "You're really suspicious, aren't you?"
"Are you a gentleman?"
"I don't need to be a gentleman, but you are definitely suspicious."
Yanis looked at the two of them, somewhat exasperated. "Are you guys acting like three-year-olds?"
"I can handle this on my own. He's probably not even three yet," Ivan retorted with disdain, looking at
Zane.
Zane returned a dry snort. "I prefer Antonio as a little brother-in-law. He knows his boundaries and acts
accordingly."
Ivan chuckled, "Sorry, even if you don't like it, I'm still your little brother-in-law!"
Zane hung up the phone abruptly.
Yanis's phone then started ringing.
Yanis answered, "Zane?"
"Stay away from that brat Ivan!" Zane's voice rang through the phone the moment she picked up.
Yanis laughed. "Are you done with your work?"
"I'm still at the hospital. I'll head back soon." Zane's voice continued, "Should we all go out to eat later?"
Yanis replied, "Are you coming?"
"Give me the address."
"Alright."
Yanis hung up the phone and looked at Ivan. "Why did you suddenly come back?"
"It's been a while. I wanted to come back and see you all."
Noticing Ivan's brevity, Yanis refrained from further questioning. "Should we invite Bonnie to join us?"
"Give her a call."
Yanis nodded and dialed Bonnie's number.
Bonnie answered, "Yanis?"
"Ivan and I are together. Want to join us for lunch?"
"Ivan's back?" Bonnie sounded surprised upon hearing Yanis's words.
Yanis confirmed, "I just found out."
"Okay, see you later."
After ending the call, Yanis looked at Ivan. "Are you staying at Baxter Mansion?"
Ivan nodded, "I have some things to take care of."
Yanis was about to ask a question but hesitated to speak.
The three of them had lunch at Shippou Restaurant. After finishing, Bonnie rushed off as she had prior
commitments.
Zane arrived just as the three were wrapping up their meal. "Where's Bonnie?"
"You didn't even ask about Yanis first; you went straight to Bonnie? What's that about?" Ivan looked at
Zane, raising an eyebrow at him.
Zane reached out and pulled Yanis closer, asking her, "What do you think?"
Ivan huffed, "You really see others through the lens of your own craftiness."
"You call yourself a gentleman?"
"Whether I'm a gentleman or not doesn't matter, but you're undoubtedly cunning."
Yanis watched the exchange between the two of them and asked with a bemused expression, "Are you
guys collectively three years old?"
"I can handle things on my own. He probably isn't even three yet," Ivan said with disdain, shooting a
disdainful glance at Zane.