Sage showed Shane the message Ian had sent her without hesitation. "Why would Ian bring this up? Does he know Marcus as well?" Shane replied slightly dismissively, "Isn't it normal for two influential business figures to know each other?" "Don't worry," Sage reassured him. "You'll be just as influential someday." "Who cares?" Shane scoffed. "The nurse who drugged you was introduced by Ian. You meeting her today and Ian learning about your meeting with Marcus isn't that surprising. "Earlier today, Ian seemed quite upset. He didn't even get out of the car to confront anyone. Could he be adopting a more restrained approach?" Rolling her eyes, Sage pocketed her phone. She didn't want to get further entangled with Ian, regardless of his motives. Later that evening, after dinner with Shane, Sage returned to her hotel. As she prepared to exit the car, Shane handed her a set of keys. "It's a place in Sandar Garden. Everything's ready inside. Feel free to move in over the next f
Soon, Ian approached the elevator with his effortless stride, his long legs carrying him swiftly. When his eyes met Sage's, his expression was inscrutable. "Tiana, I'm in the elevator now. The signal's quite weak. I'll catch up with you later," Sage said, ending her call. After pocketing her phone, she turned to the woman by the elevator. "Excuse me, I'm headed out." Though the woman seemed puzzled, she obligingly stepped back into the elevator to make way for Sage. But just as Sage was about to leave, Ian blocked the doorway, halting her exit. "Could you move, please?" Sage frowned, slightly irritated. Ian's tone was cool and detached. "I'm not stopping you. Go ahead." Despite his words, his imposing stature and stance effectively blocked her from leaving. With a steely gaze, Sage shot back, "How do you expect me to go when you're blocking the way?"Ian's expression remained impassive. "You do you, and I'll do me. Whether you can leave isn't my concern." Growing frustra
With a soft clatter, Sage's bag tumbled to the ground, scattering its contents. "I'm so sorry!" the person exclaimed, quickly assisting her in gathering her belongings. Startled, Sage stepped back, finding herself enveloped in a broad embrace. The subtle scent of cedar filled her nostrils, accompanied by the comforting warmth of the embrace. "Are you okay?" Ian's voice rang out from above. Even with a flirtatious companion by his side, Ian feigned concern. Sage found his act distasteful. Pushing away from Ian as if she were being repelled, Sage brushed off her arms and bent to retrieve her belongings. "I'm fine, thank you." "Sandar Garden," Ian remarked abruptly, picking up a set of keys. His demeanor cooled as he questioned, "Is this Shane's place?" Unaware that Shane lived in Sandar Garden, Sage saw no need to explain. "That's not your concern." Swiftly reclaiming the keys, Sage exited the elevator without a backward glance.Watching her retreating form, Ian's gaze darke
"Sage, I know I might seem foolish, but who among us is truly flawless? Wilson might not be as attentive as I'd hoped, but that's simply his nature. Apart from work, he's rather indifferent to everything else," Tiana explained. Sage questioned, "Do you truly believe Lana has no feelings for Wilson?" Pausing to collect her thoughts, Tiana replied, "It takes two to foster a connection. Wilson has assured me that his relationship with Lana is in the past and is hardly worth mentioning. He has never lied to me, and I trust him." A memory flashed in Sage's mind. "Tiana, you're not pregnant, are you?" Recalling her previous life, Sage remembered this was the time Tiana had discovered her pregnancy. That discovery led her to resign and set off a cascade of events. While Wilson hadn't betrayed Tiana with Lana, his vague demeanor, along with Lana's and Wendy's meddling, had deeply hurt Tiana. "Why are you asking all of a sudden?" Tiana looked puzzled."Just answer me, are you preg
"Both Shane and Ian have warned me about Marcus. I think I can't let my guard down around him just yet," Sage confided. Tiana agreed with Sage. "Given your involvement with the Shekdotter family's business, are you considering a confrontation with Ivy?" "With all she owes me? Of course. I'm planning to settle the score," Sage declared with determination.Tiana's concern was palpable. "Ivy is cunning and ruthless. You need to be extra cautious around her." "Don't worry, I will," Sage reassured her. As their conversation continued and they dove deeper into the Shekdotter family's intricacies, Sage heard the doorbell ring. "I'll talk to you soon. I think room service is here with my fruit," she remarked. "Alright," Tiana responded. Hanging up, Sage padded barefoot to the door and opened it, expecting to find a waiter. Instead, she was met with Ian's striking figure. He had discarded his coat, revealing a meticulously tailored white shirt that highlighted his trim waist. T
Ian pressed Sage up against the icy wall. He pinned her arms down and pressed himself against her.Grandpa Joyner had asked Sage to keep an open mind toward Ian, but how was she supposed to do that when he was acting like this? "Let go of me! I have nothing to say to you. You disgust me!" spat Sage.The word "disgust" felt like a slap to Ian, and the hurt in his eyes turned to anger. "You say that I disgust you, but why can you be so close to Zachary without feeling the same? Why didn't you feel disgusted when you let Shane take you out and send you back to the hotel? You even took his keys," said Ian. "You … "A knock sounded against the door, followed by a greeting from the waiter. "Good evening, I'm here to bring you some fruit."Ian controlled his temper, but he didn't let go of her. He reached out to open the door. "Excuse me, miss…" The waiter was so shocked at what he saw that his words trailed off. This handsome man was pressing the woman against the wall with one
"Let go of me!" Sage elbowed Ian's chest in anger. Ian groaned, but he did not let go of her. He even nestled his cheek against the back of her neck. Sage felt uncomfortable feeling his hot breath against her skin. She tried to free herself from him, but she felt something poking against her thigh. Sage was stunned when she realized what it was. Ian was hard! "You pervert!" hissed Sage. Her cheeks were flushed. "Stay still, Sage. Let me hug you for a moment." Ian's voice was husky. He hugged her tightly as if he hadn't seen her in ages. Sage blushed even more fiercely and said, "Go back to your own room if you're horny. A woman is waiting for you there!" Ian smelled her hair and said hoarsely, "I don't want another woman. You're the only one I want."Sage couldn't stop herself from snickering. "Ian, you say that you love me. But look at all that you're doing. Is that how you act when you love someone? "You merely treat me as a possession. You think I'm betraying you wh
"This isn't how you should be acting if you really want to get her back. You're just causing trouble for her," dissed Calvin. Ian still remained silent, and Calvin felt that he had been too harsh again. Just as he was about to offer Ian a few words of comfort, he hung up.Calvin was dazed. Ian usually couldn't stand him being so blunt, but he had kept quiet although Calvin had dissed him for so long. Calvin suddenly felt sorry for him. After a moment of thought, he phoned Sage."Ms. Joyner, are you heading to bed?" he said. He dared not address her too casually for fear that she would block his number.Sage said, "What's the matter?"Calvin chuckled softly at her cold tone and started beating around the bush. "Nothing much. Is Ms. Ford doing okay lately?"As he had anticipated, Sage's tone grew more patient. "Why would she not be okay?""She didn't answer my calls a few days back, and she seemed moody when I spoke to her today. So I just wanted to ask if she's okay," explained