The motorcyclist, whose helmet fell off, was one of the two men from Sage's past life who accused her of being the mastermind in the arson targeting Ivy. He and another man framed her in the police station, claiming that she had paid them to carry out the arson.She recalled getting embroiled in a long argument with the two men, which was why they left quite an impression on her. Never had she imagined that they'd attempt to run over Donald in Colville. Therefore, she speculated that Donald's injury in the past life was premeditated instead of an accident."Ivy, is this how much you hate me?" She clutched her fist until it physically hurt.Not only did Ivy try to lock Sage up in a mental institution, but she also wanted to put Donald in harm's way!In Sage's past life, Benjamin would have fallen for Ivy by this time. Back then, Sage remembered checking out Ivy's Instagram and finding out that the two worked together daily, even having dinners and watching movies. They were almost
After meeting with the police, Zachary sent Sage back to the hotel. He thoughtfully reassured her, "Don't worry. I'll follow up with the police on your behalf and keep you updated on any progress."She thanked him earnestly. Anyone would have dismissed the event as a mere incident. Zachary was the only one who took her seriously and patiently accompanied her in her investigation.When Sage was back at the hotel, she knocked on Donald's door, knowing that he must have been waiting for her update.He answered the door with a concerned look. "Sage, you're back. You don't look well though. Is everything okay?"She shook her head and smiled. "I'm fine.""I called Zack to ask about it. He told me you checked the surveillance footage of the incident. Look, what happened tonight was just an accident. You don't have to be worried about it," Donald comforted her.She remarked, "I just wanted to be sure. It was a freaky coincidence for the two motorcyclists to almost run us over.""Grandpa
Shane, perhaps distracted by some fun thoughts, readily agreed to Sage's plan and promised to carry it out smoothly.After hanging up, Sage laid on the king bed in her hotel room with a lingering fear for what happened earlier that night. She felt thankful that Donald wasn't hurt, otherwise she'd blame herself for it.After lying around for a bit, she heard a text notification on her phone. Terry had texted her. "Unblock my number."She could tell from the tone that Ian had composed the text. After hanging up on Ian the other night, she had blocked his contact on her phone. To hell with his request! His text irked her. If only he agreed to the divorce, Ivy wouldn't have repeatedly stirred trouble for her.Ian called her hotel room number after she refused to reply to his text. Annoyed, she unplugged the landline in her room for some peace. She later thought through the list of tasks to do next before taking a shower and going to sleep.In the middle of her sleep, she groggily he
Sage was nettled by Ian's behavior. Refusing to engage with him, she plugged the landline back and called the hotel front desk.She asked, "Do you have any more rooms available? I'd like to book a new room."Since Ian wanted to stay, she'd let him hang out in her room. She could get a new one for herself.To her dismay, the front desk staff informed her, "Our apologies, Madam. Our rooms are fully booked for the night."Already miffed from being woken up at midnight, she grew infuriated upon learning there were no empty rooms. She barked, "How could you let a man into my room without my permission? Set aside a new room for me, or I'll complain!""Madam, we're sorry. The guest claimed to be your husband, and he didn't want to wake you up at midnight. So, we—"Refusing to listen to the explanation, she hung up on the front desk. Staring at Ian, who had an unreadable look on his face, she knew she couldn't get rid of him that night.She relented. "There's an extra blanket in the clo
After informing the front desk staff, Sage finally went to sleep in relief.The next morning, Donald knocked on Sage's door for breakfast. She scrambled up from the bed and replied, "Grandpa, I'll be there right away!" She quickly washed up, put on a jacket, and answered the door with a bare face.Donald and Dexter were waiting for her. Donald had the habit of waking up early, and he wanted Sage to sleep in while he and Dexter went for breakfast, but she insisted on tagging along.The buffet restaurant was located on the first floor at the side of the main lobby. Since it was only 7:00 a.m., not many hotel guests were present.Holding onto Donald's arm, Sage chatted and laughed with him. Suddenly, Donald pointed in front of him. "Is that Ian?"Her gaze followed. She found Ian sleeping on the long couch for guests in the main lobby. He remained dressed in the shirt and pants from last night. Slumped on the couch, he did not have anything to keep him warm except for the jacket h
Thomas was reluctant to bid goodbye to Donald and Sage after learning that were leaving Colville in the afternoon. After a short chat, Sage and Zachary left the room to offer some privacy to the two old friends.Zachary said apologetically, "I was too busy to bring you and Donald around Colville over the past few days."Sage replied with a smile, "It's alright. We'll visit again and have more fun when Thomas gets better."Zachary nodded. "Of course." Despite that, both of them were acutely aware that Thomas would never recover."Life is unpredictable. I regret going abroad instead of spending two more years with Grandpa at home," he lamented.In Sage's past life, she did not accompany Donald to Colville. Hence, she was in the dark about Thomas' health condition. She comforted Zachary, "Don't be too hard on yourself. You couldn't foresee Thomas falling sick.""Sage, you've grown up. You are more sensible and mature now. Look, you're even consoling me," he teased.She deliberate
Eyes shut, Sage murmured, "I guess so. We met once before this."Ian asked calmly, "And you're calling him 'Zack'?"She opened her eyes and shot him a puzzled look. "What's wrong with that?"Ian pursed his lips. "Why don't you call him Zachary?"Sage replied, "Zack is his nickname. He usually goes by it."Ian argued, "Well, 'Iany' is my nickname."Sage knew what Ian was getting at. How ridiculous! Last time, Ian got drunk at the family gathering that they attended with Linda. There, he pestered her about why she had stopped using his nickname. Not only that, he even forced her to call him Iany.Presently, he seemed petty over how she addressed Zachary. People might mistakenly think that he cared about her.She snorted. "Ian Holcomb, you're being silly." Then, she turned to stare out of the car window.He stared at her for a while but said nothing. The couple sat in the car in silence until they arrived at Solaris Estate. As Sage didn't want to be near Ian, she ventured into
Besides, Sage thought it would be awkward if she refused to meet Leo when he showed up at her home. She sighed, not expecting to meet her father-in-law before the divorce."If you're tired, it's fine. I'll just let him know you're taking a nap," Ian offered calmly.She secretly lamented and reluctantly said, "I'll change my clothes and join you shortly."Ian did not object. He went downstairs alone to the living room, where Leo was waiting. Leo looked like he was in his fifties. Clad in casual wear, he seemed more muscular and bulky than his son. The serious look on his face underlined his authority and hinted at an unfriendly demeanor.Upon spotting Sage, Ian approached her. "You're here."Leo fixed his eyes on Sage as well. She flashed a polite smile and extended a hand to Leo. "Hi, Dad."Leo merely grunted before taking a sip of his tea, leaving Sage feeling embarrassed. Getting along with Donald and Linda was a breeze, but the serious Leo was a tough nut to crack.Ian took
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