Sage shot Michael a smile. "I've just registered for a kickboxing class."Delight fleeted across Michael's expression. "What a coincidence! I'm a trainer who specializes in kickboxing!"It really was a coincidence.Sage thought the next time she'd meet Michael would be at a business meeting where they'd negotiate about the collaboration. She didn't expect to see him so soon."I guess I'll be seeing more of you in the future," Sage said smilingly. "Have fun working. I'll be leaving now.""Wait, miss!" Michael called out."What is it?" Sage asked.Michael offered shyly, "I don't know how to repay you for the kindness you've shown me back then. Why don't I treat you to a cup of joe?"Sage just smiled while shaking her head. "Perhaps next time. I don't want to take up your time since you're working at the moment.""It's fine. Actually, I'm about to get off work," Michael said hurriedly.He had a youthful face, to begin with. The sight of him looking so anxious made him seem like
It turned out that Delilah had sent Sage a barrage of text messages. There were photos and video clips as well as audio recordings in those messages.Sage decided to look at the photos first. Delilah had snapped a photo of the apartment's exterior where Ivy stayed. Next came a photo of Ivy's front door.Since the video clip spanned for a few minutes, Sage decided to listen to the audio recordings next."Sage, I've already taught I-bitch a lesson on your behalf! I can't just sit back and watch you suffer from more grievances!"The moment the recording ended, Sage saw Michael approaching the table with the drinks in hand."Miss, here's your rose latte.""Thank you." Sage got up to her feet after accepting the latte. "Something just came up. Sorry, but I have to leave now."Michael was sensible enough to hold his tongue when he noticed Sage's frosty expression. He waved at her politely instead."I'll see you at the sports complex, then.""Alright."Once Sage exited the coffee sh
Sage trailed behind Ian, looking as composed as ever.Soon, Ian sank into the couch in his study. As he tugged his tie off, he said, "I wonder how you'll be able to satisfy me with this solution of yours."Sage handed Ian the two documents."I have two copies of the divorce agreement. One of them states that I'll divorce you without getting any of your assets in return. The other one states that you'll have to pay me 100 million dollars in alimony. "I've already signed both copies of the agreement. Choose whichever copy that has the conditions you want and sign it."Ian raised his head immediately. "100 million dollars?"Businessmen were all money-minded, as expected. Ian's first reaction was to mentally complain about the absurd amount of money he had to pay."Yup," Sage replied. "You promised me ten million dollars back then, but I don't think that's enough for me."Come to think of it, you're the one who wronged me in this marriage. Besides, you're the one who was more eage
Ian was not romantically interested in Sage, but she had an inkling that he was interested in her body.After he had injured her lips that night, she had to suffer for three long days before the injury finally healed.Sage didn't want to argue with Ian. Instead, she asked, "Have you decided on which agreement you'll be signing?""It's difficult for me to make up my mind at this time."Ian grabbed both copies of the divorce agreement as he continued casually, "That's why I've decided to let your grandfather review the conditions of both copies properly. Perhaps he might be able to provide me with a better suggestion.""You don't have to make your choice anymore!" Sage reached out to stop Ian. "I'll just get a clean divorce without any additional payment from you!"Ian looked down at her. "I'm the one who wronged you in this marriage. If we were to take this to court, I'd have to pay you more than 100 million dollars, you know. I don't think your grandfather will want you to lose o
Ian's cold gaze bore into Sage, who stood defiantly on the couch. "My affairs don't warrant your concern. If you really want a divorce, show some sincerity!"Then, he casually tossed the divorce agreement onto the table and strode toward his desk.The lingering repercussions of their previous unsuccessful attempt at divorce had eroded Ian's trust in her. Subsequently, the situation had become unnecessarily complicated.Feeling disheartened, Sage descended from her perch on the couch. She clutched the divorce papers as she prepared to retreat to her room."Sage, stop your provocations. I don't have the patience to entertain your whims each time," Ian cautioned. His voice carried an icy tone.From the way he put it, it sounded like he was insinuating that the cause for Ivy's predicament was a part of Sage's tricks to make him come back to her.How absurd!"I couldn't care less about your patience," Sage challenged while raising her head in defiance. "I won't stop until you sign th
"He didn't say. But for his business trip to Lathuyria, he packed the new clothes and the pen I bought for him."At the mention of Lathuyria, Sage calculated the time difference and suddenly thought of something. "Tiana, can't you take a day off? Why don't you accompany Wilson on his trip?""I don't have the time. My mother-in-law's housekeeper is on leave, so I have to go clean and cook for them every day. In the evenings, I even have to do exercises with her.""Then, hire a temporary worker to fill in the housekeeper's role. Go to Lathuyria and be with Wilson," Sage suggested. "You two haven't had a honeymoon; now is the perfect time to make up for it."Although she was tempted, Tiana turned down the idea. She said, "Nah, my visa has expired. We'll plan another trip next time.""You can renew your visa or at least join a tour group through a travel agency. It's a great opportunity. Don't you want to spend some quality time alone with Wilson?"Finally, Tiana was convinced. "Shou
"Mrs. Holcomb, I have heated up your breakfast. You can have it any time," Wanda added."Okay. I'll go freshen up first."Sage took a shower and changed into a clean set of clothes. After dressing up, she planned to have breakfast and then meet up with Shane.However, upon walking to her laptop, she noticed that the USB drive plugged into the adjacent port was missing. Sage searched around, but it was nowhere to be found.She had stored the investment plan in it last night, so where could it have gone?Sage went downstairs and asked Wanda, who shook her head. "You didn't respond when I knocked on your door this morning. Since the door wasn't locked, I took a peek but didn't touch your things.""Did Ian enter my room this morning?"Unnerved by Sage's solemn expression, Wanda responded, "Yes, he did. Mr. Holcomb saw your phone in the room and told me you hadn't gone out. Mrs. Holcomb, is the USB drive important? Should I help you look for it?"The USB drive wasn't crucial, but th
Sage shot Ian a cold glance. She found his question ironic. She thought, "Who else could it be besides you? You took my USB drive and did not answer my calls."Ian sensed Sage's dissatisfaction but held back his annoyance. "I've reviewed your investment plan for Mimosa. It was well-executed, given your effort. Considering that, I can offer you an internship opportunity at Bolton Investment."At this moment, Terry astutely presented a document to Sage. She frowned as she took it. It was an offer letter of employment as an intern at Holcomb Corporation."When did I say I wanted to be an intern at Bolton Investment?" Sage couldn't help but chuckle. Thinking she was unhappy with the intern role, Ian patiently explained, "Holcomb Corporation has strict hiring standards. Based on your investment plan alone, you don't meet the criteria for a permanent employee yet."As long as you continue with your dedication to proposal drafting and learn diligently, a suitable position will be arrang
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