"See it for yourself!" Ian threw his phone at Sage.She picked it up to see some surveillance footage. It looked like it had been taken in a basement parking lot. Two men in masks and caps were sneakily peering around a corner.Soon, Ivy arrived at the parking lot. She'd just unlocked the car when the two men charged at her. One of them clamped a hand over her mouth and subdued her while the other opened the door. They stuffed her into the back seat before speeding off."Where was Ms. Shekdotter taken to? Have you found her yet?"Ian suppressed his rage when he saw how serious Sage looked. He said, "The security guards on duty noticed that something was wrong and stopped the two men after they forced her into the car."Sage chuckled. "How interesting. Those two men went all the way there to abduct her, yet chose to wait somewhere where the surveillance cameras would catch them. That would only make it all the more easier for people to notice them, right?""What's with that attitu
Tears started streaming down Sage's face as she laughed. The memories from her past life of being mistreated, insulted, and tormented at the mental institution flashed before her eyes.The nurse in charge of her had been burly and strong; she could drag Sage along with her with just one hand grabbing her by the hair. She could also slap her bowl of oatmeal to the floor with one blow.The nurse could even pinch her mouth hard and forcefully pour the medication down her throat when she refused to take them …Sage had always thought the mental institution had arranged for the nurse to torment her as a way of sucking up to Ian. She never would've expected the horrible nurse to be Ivy's relative!This meant that her life in the mental institution had been so horrific because of Ivy. At the thought of the torment she'd suffered and the pain she'd experienced because of her stomach cancer, Sage wanted nothing more than to strangle Ivy to death.Why had she been so cruel? She already had
When Ian got downstairs, Sage was already nowhere in sight."Mr. Holcomb, Mrs. Holcomb hailed a cab and left on her own," the driver said tentatively.Ian pursed his lips. He had the driver take him back to Solaris Estate. When he arrived, he saw Sage's shoes strewn haphazardly on the floor. He went upstairs.Sage's door was shut. There wasn't so much as a sound coming from inside. Ian lingered outside for a while but eventually decided against knocking on the door.The following morning, Ian went downstairs after finishing his morning workout. Wanda was serving breakfast. He sat by the dining table and glanced upstairs. "Wake her up for breakfast."Wanda said politely, "Mrs. Holcomb already left the house, Mr. Holcomb."Left? He'd deliberately given her some time to calm down last night, only intending to ask her about what had happened in the morning. Yet she'd already left the house?"Where has she gone?"Wanda shook her head. "I'm not sure. She didn't say anything. She didn
Shane paused to create suspense, then continued, "You won't be able to make me believe you without a logical reason."No one would be able to place their faith in a woman who claimed to want to work with them when they'd only seen each other once. To make matters worse, said woman was a competitor's wife.Sage understood this. She chuckled and said, "What if I were to tell you that we have the same goal?""Oh? Is your goal to take Ian down?" Shane was interested again."I can't guarantee I can do anything to Ian's other businesses, but I have to raze Bolton Investment to the ground!"Bolton Investment was managed by Ivy. The torture Sage had gone through at the mental institution in her previous life made it clear that even if she didn't want to fight with Ivy, Ivy wouldn't let her off the hook.If that were the case, Sage would settle the score with Ivy. She wanted to get even for everything she'd suffered in her previous life!"I heard that you love Mr. Holcomb with your life,
Sage checked her inbox to see some replies from the companies she'd submitted her résumé to earlier. She'd gotten her stockbroking license back in her college days, so most investment companies were more inclined to hire her.Two of them had sent her invitations for interviews, and two others had outright offered her jobs. It was just that her lack of experience would mean she would get paid less compared to other licensed investors.Sage sent all of these companies short, simple thank-you messages. Her initial plan had been to go back to what she knew and get a job in investing. But now that she'd decided to work with Shane, she couldn't go anywhere else for the time being.After replying to all her emails, Sage started going through the information on Mimosa. It was a winery that had expanded relatively rapidly in recent years. Its main selling point was that it had a long history and skilled employees who were equivalent to national treasures. This had helped it gain fame.Sage
Ian had even gotten the idea that Sage was demanding a divorce because she was throwing a tantrum over what had happened that day.Even if it was unnecessary, she still couldn't help asking, "Since you knew that was the fifth anniversary of our first meeting, you must've known how important it was to me. Why did you still leave with Ivy?"Ian looked calm. "To me, it was no different from any other day."Of course. Since he didn't love her, what did any sort of anniversary matter? All of this was nothing but her single-sided expectations.Sage muttered self-deprecatingly, "I wonder where I found the courage to think I could move you one day."Ian didn't hear her properly. When he turned to look at her, her expression had already gone back to normal. "I'm not throwing a tantrum or kicking up a fuss. I'm serious about wanting to divorce."She was still going on about the divorce! Ian's expression darkened. "Do you think marriage is a game? Do you think you can get married and divorc
Sage tended to go shopping in the past, but she had never bought this many items.Did she suffer from some sort of shock or trauma?Sage smiled as she responded with a question of her own. "Do I not look fine to you?"Tiana nodded immediately. "Yes, you look a little less than fine!"Now rendered speechless, Sage could only pat Tiana on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm fine. I know what I'm doing."By the time the women reached the men's apparel section, Sage's arms were already loaded with shopping bags.Tiana started browsing the display of ties on the racks. "Sage, do you want to pick out a gift for Ian as well?"Sage rejected her immediately. "No way. He's not worthy of anything."Tiana fell silent at that response. Sage was definitely not fine at all."How could you stain the tuxedo? When I loaned it to you, I made it very clear that you mustn't get any dirt or grime on it!"At that moment, Sage and Tiana heard a loud voice berating someone else from the luxury tuxedo sto
Terry found himself regretting his decision.Ian had worked overtime till the wee hours of the morning. He proceeded to spend the entire day wearing nothing but a poker face. It was clear that he was in a bad mood.Would Terry be making things worse for Ian by bringing up Sage's shopping spree at this time?"Get your ass over here right now if you want to talk to me about something!" Ian grumbled impatiently.Terry had no choice but to walk over to Ian. There, he tapped on the messaging app cautiously and displayed the horde of messages.Ian shot a glance at the screen, soon noticing the automated messages sent by various mall-based stores. There were purchases that exceeded hundreds of thousands of dollars, but there were also purchases showcasing only triple digits. All of these messages were sent from jewelry and apparel stores which were frequented by ladies.At that moment, a new message popped up on the screen with a loud ding."Thank you for shopping at Gentlemen's Styl
Ian said calmly, "I just got back from a business trip and came by to check on Sage."Giselle didn't ask more questions. She explained to Sage, "I just saw Selena over there. I went to her and clarified that this was my idea. Selena said it was okay."Seeing Selena's calm and relaxed demeanor, Sage didn't have the energy to pretend to be friendly with her.She said to Giselle, "I'm going back to the ward," and then headed to the elevator.Ian was at her heels. "Sage, if you're too tired, just lean on me."Sage stayed silent and didn't respond to Ian, just staring blankly at the numbers on the elevator panel.In the hospital room, Tiana had been waiting for Sage for a while.Seeing Ian, Tiana was equally surprised and asked, "What are you doing at the hospital? Weren't you on a business trip away from town?"Ian succinctly said, "I came back once the task was done."Tiana looked at Sage. "How did it go?"Sage nodded numbly. "Pretty good."Tiana could tell from Sage's expressi
Sage paused slightly in her steps and turned to look at Shane. Her voice was slightly hoarse as she asked, "Is there anything else?"Shane felt an indescribable discomfort as he watched Sage's unsteady appearance.But he didn't know why he had to call out to Sage, especially since he didn't remember anything about her."Since you say we are good friends, and I got hurt because of you, why can't you visit me more often?" Shane questioned, finding a reason.“Sorry, she won't be available.”As soon as Shane finished speaking, the door to the hospital room was suddenly pushed open.Sage turned her head and saw Ian's tall, upright figure.He was wearing a custom-tailored black suit, looking like he had rushed over from somewhere, carrying an air of exhaustion.Ian had been on a business trip for the past two days. Why did he suddenly show up now?Sage glanced toward the doorway but didn't see any signs of Giselle.Sage had a faint guess about who was behind this. She gave a self-d
Shane's thought process was quite logical.Sage calmly replied, "You were worried that she was only momentarily taking a step back, so you couldn't fully trust her and wanted to observe for a while."Shane also mentioned that when Sage came to the hospital room two days ago, the way she spoke to him was very familiar. It wasn't like how typical business partners would interact.Sage admitted that they were not just business partners but had become good friends through their interactions."But I wouldn't take a good friend to my mother's grave," Shane suddenly said.Sage was taken aback upon hearing this. Had Giselle told Shane about this, too?Seeing Shane looking at her, Sage calmed herself. "You were deceiving Giselle."It's not just this, but also some of our daily interactions. You embellished the details and even went out of your way to act nice to me in front of her."Shane indeed did that before. Sage wasn't at all diffident to talk about it.Shane could see it, too. "S
Taking a deep breath, Sage knocked on the hospital room door.Giselle walked over, glanced down the hallway, and asked with a puzzled expression, "What took you so long? Where did you go?"Sage forced a smile. "There were a lot of people waiting for the elevator."Giselle saw how broken and fragile Sage looked. Thinking she was worried about meeting Shane alone, she couldn't help but gently pat her on the shoulder."It's okay. Take your time talking with Shane. If Selena returns, I'll tell her that everything was my idea."Sage didn't have the energy to explain further to Giselle. She simply said thank you and then walked into the hospital room.Shane sat upright at the head of his bed, dressed in a hospital gown, with bandages still on his head.His handsome face looked a bit thinner than before. Under the hospital room's lighting, he had the delicate appearance of a frail young nobleman.Shane was also quietly observing Sage as she walked over.She had a slender and delicate
Selena nodded. "It's understandable, Ms. Joyner. However, before you go to see Shane, could you take a moment to hear me out?"Sage was aware that Selena had been deliberately waiting for her.Sage sent a message to Giselle saying she would be a few minutes late, and then followed Selena to the stairwell beyond the emergency exit.The stairwell was brightly lit, with gleaming floors and an overall quietness that inexplicably added a sense of oppression.Sage asked, "Ms. Morrison, what do you want to talk to me about?"As soon as she finished speaking, Selena suddenly knelt down in front of her."Ms. Morrison, what are you doing?"Sage hurriedly went to help Selena, but the injuries on her back hadn’t fully healed yet. The movement caused her wounds to hurt, and she winced in pain, furrowing her brow."Ms. Joyner, please don't help me up. Let me finish speaking."Selena's face showed determination, and her almond-shaped eyes, similar to Shane's, had a hint of tears."I know Sh
Since Giselle already knew, Sage didn't deny it. She asked directly, "So what do you think? Are you planning to go abroad with Shane?""Do you even need to ask? Of course I'm not going!"Giselle was somewhat annoyed. "Nothing's going on between Shane and me! Why would they suddenly want me to go abroad with him?""But your brother thinks this is a good opportunity for Shane to develop feelings for you," Tiana said.Sage also shared Marcus' analysis with Giselle. "Your brother hopes that you and Shane will end up together in the end. If you still have some feelings for Shane, this could be a good opportunity.""I couldn't care less about such an opportunity!" Giselle said. "No matter how much I liked Shane, that's all in the past now."I'm not a martyr. I would never degrade myself just to win a man's affection. Besides, even if I gave him everything, what I might get in return could be resentment, not love.""Giselle, you are truly wise and perceptive!" Tiana couldn't help but s
"However, Elle has become more thoughtful and no longer acts willfully now. I believe that Shane will change his opinion of her."With them spending so much time together, there's a high chance that Shane will develop feelings for Elle."Sage fell silent. People were naturally fragile when they were alone and were easily moved by the care and warmth shown by others, especially considering they would be in a foreign country.Therefore, it seemed highly likely that what Marcus mentioned could happen."Even though my parents agreed to dissolve Elle's engagement, they are quite satisfied with Shane. They watched Shane grow up and know him well."If our two families could be united through marriage, it would be a joyous occasion for everyone."Ms. Joyner, I know that Shane likes you, but he has currently forgotten you. You also understand that it is very difficult for the two of you to be together."Even if Elle didn't accompany him for the treatment abroad, Mr. Morrison Senior would
Marcus put down the gift he was holding and said tactfully, "I've heard about your situation from Elle. I just visited Shane, and I thought I'd drop by to see you as well."Sage thanked Marcus and invited him to sit down. Then, unable to hold back, Sage asked, "How is Shane doing? Is he okay?"Because Shane didn't remember her, and the Morrison family wouldn't allow her to visit, Sage hadn't been able to see Shane in person for the past couple of days.Marcus said, "He's doing okay, more or less. He has multiple injuries, and his hand and leg are not very functional. On top of that, he frequently gets headaches, and his mood is quite unstable.""He probably remembered you, right?" Sage asked intentionally.She could definitely guess that Shane remembered Marcus. However, she wanted to know if Shane still harbored the same hostility toward Marcus.Instead of asking directly because it didn't seem appropriate, she decided to ask a different question instead.Marcus knew what Sage
George acknowledged her with a slight nod, while Simon asked bluntly, "What are you here for?""I heard Shane has woken up and came to check on him," Sage said honestly.Simon's tone was stern as he said, "Ms. Joyner, you should be aware of the current situation with Shane.""We won't hold what happened between you and Shane against you anymore, but we hope you'll stop bothering him in the future and completely cut ties with him."Before Sage could speak, Giselle's voice rang out. "Mr. George, Simon!"Seeing Giselle, Simon's attitude softened a bit.George also had a kind smile on his face. "Have you come to see Shane, Elle?"You see, even though Shane has forgotten so many things, he remembers everything about you very clearly. That shows he still cares about you," joked George.Giselle glanced at Sage and replied with a hint of playfulness, "Mr. George, you really shouldn't joke with me like this."Shane hasn't completely lost his memory, so it's perfectly normal for him to