Sage was bewildered. What kind of nonsense was that? It was ridiculous enough that he mentioned Shane. Why did he drag Zachary into this?Ian could tell what she was thinking. He said, "From what I've heard, Zachary's doing pretty well on his own overseas. Why do you think he'd come and work as Uncle Owen's assistant at Maven Corporation?""Didn't he make himself clear just now? Which part did you not understand?" she asked.Ian narrowed his eyes. "He could've gone anywhere if he didn't want to go abroad. Why'd he come all the way to Haldon?"So he was implying that Zachary joined Maven Corporation because of her. She had only met Zachary a couple of times back in Colville, and they hadn't stayed in touch since. Ian must have been out of his mind!"Ian, allow me to remind you that we're about to get divorced. So please stop acting like you own me!" Sage snapped before storming out of the blending room.Ian followed her out, his lips pressed into a thin line. When the couple arriv
Sage hastily interjected, "Grandpa, we don't have any of his clothes here!"Donald asked, "What do you mean? Didn't you buy him a bunch of clothes and stash them in the closet?"Sage was tongue-tied. After all, she did do that. Sage bought him a few sets of clothes just in case he ever stayed over and didn't have any clothes to change into. However, Ian had never stayed at her grandfather's place before."He still has a lot of work to do. He needs to head back to the office," she added."Is that so, Ian?" Donald asked Ian.Sage glared at Ian. She was already annoyed when he showed up for dinner. "Don't you dare think about staying the night here!" she thought.Ian glanced at Sage and told Donald. "I do have some work I need to take care of." But before she could rejoice, he calmly added, "But I can work remotely through video calls.""Alright, then. Don't go back and forth. Just stay here!" Donald decided cheerfully."Grandpa, I want to stay over tonight as well," Layla said.
Sage trudged upstairs. Ian watched her go but didn't follow suit immediately."Go on. Sage's just tough on the outside. But deep down, she's a softie," Donald teased."Thanks, Grandpa." Ian then headed upstairs. He walked over to Sage's room. He noticed that her door was ajar and that she was rifling through clothes in the corner of the walk-in closet.This was his first time stepping into Sage's boudoir. Her room was decorated in a very girlish way, with pink walls, pink bedding, and even a pink vanity. Her bed was covered with various stuffed animals and pillows. There were photos of Sage from her school days on the bedside table. In the photos, her face was still a little chubby, her eyes were crinkled, and her smile was bright and carefree. It was infectious even in photographs.In his memories, Sage rarely smiled so happily. Most of the time, she was somber, guarded, and discontented. She wouldn't laugh heartily or express her anger freely.His heart felt heavy as he though
Her brows knitted together. Wasn't Ivy attempting to frame her? Why did she suddenly have Ronald find a scapegoat?"I've looked into it. Delilah and Ivy did contact each other in private. However, it was Delilah's idea to visit Ivy that night," he said calmly.Realization dawned on Sage. Ivy must've been worried that Ian would suspect her through this incident, so she took the initiative to "clear her name". As expected of the person who killed her in her previous life without her knowing it, Ivy was truly a master manipulator. "So, how would you like Delilah to apologize to you?" Ian asked.Sage frowned at Ian. "Wait, what? Why would I ask Delilah to apologize to me? This whole thing was Ivy's doing. If anyone needs to apologize, it's Ivy."He added, "Ivy and Delilah don't have any financial dealings.""Are you attempting to say Delilah wasn't bought off by Ivy?" she asked with a sneer.Ian knew Sage would be upset, so he patiently said, "I was afraid you'd think I'm biased, s
His eyes flickered, and there was a strange emotion swirling within them. It caused Sage to be stunned for a moment."Sage, Ivy didn't call the cops last time, but desperate people do desperate things. If she decides to press charges against you, you'll be the one who gets hurt," Ian added.Sage came to her senses and looked away. "That's none of your business."He lifted her chin with one hand. "You're my wife. Your business is my business."She pushed his hand away. "I won't be your wife for much longer.""Who said so?" Ian said lowly, "Sage, I'm not used to you living away from home, and it drives me crazy when I see you with other men. I must've developed feelings for you."Sage felt a sharp pang of pain. In her previous life, all she ever wanted was his love. But he never even looked her way. In this life, all she wanted was to get a divorce and be free from him. But now he claimed to have feelings for her? How absurd. She was so pathetic in her previous life."Didn't you
Layla pouted. "He already explained the whole earring debacle last time. His friend pulled a fast one on him. It had nothing to do with him. As for the messages he sent you, he told me it was all to dig up information about me. "I don't have anyone I like right now. But Henry's always at my beck and call, and he is such a sweet-talker. Why can't I be with him? Besides, Delilah told me he's the kind that's easy to control. He suits me.""Delilah?" Sage asked, "Since when were you close to Delilah?"Layla glanced at Sage. "I know she's your best friend. But that doesn't mean I can't hang out with her, right?"Sage responded, "She's not my best friend anymore, but that's beside the point. Why are you guys in touch? Did she reach out to you?"Layla explained, "My mom wanted to thank the Strombergs for hooking us up with a huge deal, so she's had Delilah over a few times. I happened to be home last time, so she added me on social media and we chat with me from time to time."Sage's b
Layla was in a good mood, and she didn't notice anything amiss in Sage's words. She left happily. Sage breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Layla had brought up the subject on her own. Otherwise, she wouldn't have known how far things would've gone.It was almost time to meet with Henry. Sage sent him a message and told him that she had returned to Haldon. Sure enough, he invited her to meet up tomorrow afternoon. Setting her phone down, she felt a little stuffy. Sage walked over to the balcony and intended to sit on the deck chair for a while. But she noticed Ian standing on the balcony of the next-door guest bedroom.He was dressed in the dark blue pajamas she had bought. He looked tall and handsome, almost like he had just walked out of a painting. Ian was absorbed in a work call at the moment. He was incredibly meticulous at work, and his commanding presence made people submit to him.Ian noticed her after he hung up the phone. Sage didn't avert her gaze. The couple loo
Tiana said, "Ian's handling of Ivy certainly left much to be desired. But I heard from Calvin that there was some misunderstanding. Ian still cares for you. If you're not that set about the divorce, I'll support your decision as well."Her remark confused Sage. She mused, "So, Tiana, did you ask to meet up over this? I thought you knew I wanted a divorce.""Yes, I know your decision was firm. But what I want to know is why didn't you take precautions during sex?" Tiana wondered aloud.She couldn't believe that Sage and Ian had slept with each other in the heat of the moment without using any birth control.Sage, still perplexed, questioned, "What precautions?"Tiana stared at her friend helplessly. "Sage Joyner, are you dumb or are you just pretending to be dumb? You're pregnant!""Pregnant?" Sage screamed in shock as she jolted up from the bed. The hair serum dripped from her hair and made a mess everywhere.Even the customers in the next room jumped at the sudden commotion, wh
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