Yesterday afternoon he had hung up on her angrily and said that they would get a divorce the second he came back. He even warned her not to regret it. Logically speaking, there should've been no interaction between them until he came back. So why did he contact her? Sage picked up the phone and greeted him, but there was only silence on the line. "Ian?" Sage asked hesitantly. He remained silent. "Is there no signal on your side? I'm going to hang up on you if you don't say anything," Sage said as she prepared to hang up. The sound of Ian's coughs rang out on the other end. Following that, she heard Ian's hoarse voice. "Sage, I'm hungry." When she thought of what he had posted on Instagram, Sage was speechless. "Why are you calling me when you're hungry instead of buying food for yourself?" Ian let out two more coughs before saying hoarsely, "You bragged about your secret porridge recipe." Bragging? She had just been sharing information with him. "So?" "Tell me the recip
Sage was entertained by Michael and decided to give him a call. "So you're working hard to make money just to pay off your debt to me?" "Of course not!" Michael explained rather nervously, "I'm just…" Halfway through his explanation, Michael realized he didn't know what to say next. Thus, he changed the topic entirely. "Sage, I heard the production team say that there'll be a formal dinner if we get into the top 30. I will be able to bring a friend. If I manage to get in, will you come?" Sage laughed. "Of course." Seeing a normal person transform into an idol right before her eyes was a unique experience. She couldn't pass up the opportunity!…The next day, as Sage climbed lazily out of bed, she saw that Josephine and Linda had each given her a call. She had put her phone on silent last night, so she hadn't heard it ring. Sage hastily returned Linda's call. "Grandma, are you looking for me?" Linda asked her to make a trip to Holcolm Manor in hurried tones. Not knowing what
Ten hours later, Sage arrived at the airport in Morita. Terry must've received the news from Linda. When she walked out of the arrival hall with her bags, he was already waiting for her. Terry said politely, "Mr. Holcomb is feeling unwell and resting in the hotel. I was worried that there would be a change in your travel plans, so I didn't tell him that you would be coming over." What changes in her travel plans? He was just worried that she'd change her mind and not come. Sage ignored his remark and asked, "How's Ian? Has he gone to the doctor?" "He has a bit of a fever and a cough. He's had some medicine, but hasn't been to see a doctor." Terry explained, "The main issue is that the weather here is cold, and Mr. Holcomb didn't wear enough layers. He caught a cold but refused to rest. Instead, he continued working. In addition, he hasn't had a good meal in ages, which is why it became so serious." Sage couldn't help but roll her eyes at him internally. What a perfect model o
Seeing his feeble movements, Sage didn't continue pissing him off and said, "Why are you getting up if you're feeling unwell? Lay back down." "Come help me over," Ian said. Sage didn't say refuse. She walked over to help him back into bed. A computer was placed by his bedside table. He probably worked in bed too. "I'm thirsty," said Ian. Considering that he was sick, Sage went outside to get some water for him. However, the water here was all refrigerated. There wasn't even room-temperature water, let alone warm water. Sage therefore boiled some water with a kettle. The suite was equipped with a simple kitchen. However, it was spotless. Clearly, no one had ever touched it. Did that mean that Ian didn't even make the porridge after calling her to ask for the recipe? After the water boiled, Sage poured Ian a glass of it. When she brought it into the room, she saw Ian typing away on his computer. Sage complained, "It's not like you can finish your work now. Why don't you res
Ian's innate nobility made people feel inferior easily. The other man didn't say anything else. He simply apologized and walked away bitterly. Ian reached out and grabbed Sage's slender waist without giving her a chance to escape. Sage tried to struggle out of his grasp, and Ian's darkened eyes glared at her. "Do you still want to be hit on?" "Ian, can't you just stay in your room and rest? Why did you have to go out with me?" complained Sage. Ian ignored her. He continued holding onto her arrogantly as they walked to the open-air parking lot. The atmosphere at the restaurant was decent, and the dishes were authentic. The only drawback was that it took a long time for the dishes to be prepared, served, and eaten. By the time they finished their meal, a few hours had already passed and the sky outside had darkened. Sage had taken a long flight and had run around for hours afterward. Once she got into the car back to the hotel, she couldn't help but fall asleep with a full st
Anger surged within her. Sage felt angry and frustrated. Although Ian was sick, his strength still wasn't something that Sage could compete with. In addition, it was as though Ian had been provoked by something. He held her so hard it felt like her bones were going to shatter, and her lips were swollen from his biting. It was clear that continuing to struggle wouldn't benefit Sage. She could only give up and allow Ian to do whatever he wanted. Initially, she thought that Ian would let her go immediately. However, he must have wanted to punish her. In addition to kissing her lips, he caught hold of her tongue and sucked it furiously. "Ouch!" Sage hissed in pain and tears fell from her eyes. She punched Ian, and he finally let go of her lips. Sage panted loudly and glared at him furiously. Ian also stared at her, breathing heavily. His eyes were bright as he asked hoarsely, "Does it hurt?" Scared that he would continue his rampage, Sage suppressed her frustration. She didn't
Ian knew what was on her mind. He tilted her chin and said softly, "If I'm in a good mood, I work more efficiently. Maybe it'll take less than a month." Sage was puzzled. "What puts you in a good mood then?"Ian's tightened his grip on her waist. He reached the hand he used to tilt her chin up to caress her face. His breath seemed to turn heavier as he said, "What do you think a woman can do to please a man?" In a fit of anger, Sage swatted away his hand and spat, "In your dreams!" She had been drugged and lost all rationality last time. She would never be so intimate with him again. Besides, the more entangled they became, the tougher it was for her to get a divorce. "You just don't have enough time and energy to handle it for now," she said. "Stop being a jerk and trying to take advantage of me in this situation." Seeing the distant expression and look of resistance on her face, Ian howled with laughter and said, "What were you thinking? I'll recover much quicker and be in
Maybe he was afraid that Sage would wake up if he was too rough with her, so the mark wasn't too dark. Apparently, Tiana was right. Ian had taken advantage of her again. It happened twice when Sage was taking a rest at the chaise longue. It happened again when she fell asleep on the bed. Those marks she got were most probably his handiwork. Indeed, a man's physical strength and his mind were two different things that could be controlled at will. He didn't have much feelings for her, but he still yearned for her touch. After showering and removing her makeup, she found that the water she boiled earlier was now just warm enough to be consumed with the medicine. She took two fever pills and a glass of water before returning to the bedroom. Ian was still in the position he had been in when he fell asleep earlier. He was frowning a little, and there was a hint of red on his chapped lips from her lipstick. Sage felt like pouring the glass of water over his face when she remembered
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