His tone was still far from pleasant, but it had softened a bit. Sage calmly averted her gaze, deftly concealing her embarrassment. It wasn't her fault. After all, who wouldn't stare at such a flawless body?As she approached Ian's bedside, she noticed that his shirt wasn't completely off. It was simply bunched up near his right arm, where his IV drip had been inserted."Why have you taken your shirt off already? You can't change into clean clothes since your IV hasn't finished yet," she asked.He averted his gaze and frowned, responding coldly, "It reeks of blood. How could I wear it?" Ian had always been particular about his clothes, food, and living standards. Sage didn't press further and handed him the shirt. "Do you want to put this on first?"He didn't object and extended his muscular arm, which wasn't hooked to the IV. "What's the meaning of this?" she asked as she looked at him. "How am I supposed to put it on if you don't help me?" he asked. Sage retorted, "Why
"People change, Ian," Sage said. "I used to put your safety above my own, and seeing you hurt me more than seeing myself hurt. "But I'm more concerned about my own well-being now, and I just don't dare to jump in front of danger for you anymore. So please don't attempt to test me like this again."She clearly warned Ian when the scrawny man whipped out his switchblade. Ian could've dodged it, but he still ended up getting injured. Sage figured that he was testing her based on his reaction after being injured and the words he had just said. "What you're doing is pointless," she said. Ian's chest felt stuffy when he looked at her stoic face and unwavering eyes. He hadn't dodged the man's attack on purpose because he wanted to see if Sage would grow anxious and rush over to him like she did in the past.Of course, he wouldn't let anything happen to Sage. He would've pushed her away if she had come running. He just wanted to know if he still mattered to her. However, Sage didn'
Sage was so tired that, initially, she decided to ignore the sensation. But then it hit her—she wasn't sleeping in her hotel bed! She jolted awake, and she realized she was still seated in the chair in the ward. However, she had slumped over near the edge of Ian's hospital bed due to fatigue. Sage sat up straight. The IV hooked to Ian's right hand had been removed at some point, and he was resting with his eyes closed in the same position as before. His breathing was labored, and his brows were knitted as if the pain from his injury was causing him discomfort. Sage touched her cheeks and lips but felt nothing out of the ordinary. There was a pull-out bed in the ward. She was so exhausted that she crawled into it and went back to sleep. She didn't notice that Ian had turned his gaze to the adjacent bed after she fell asleep. His dark eyes burned with an undiminished desire. …When she awoke again, she heard Terry's soft voice from the corridor outside. Ian was nowhere to be
Delilah had caused her a lot of trouble. Sage couldn't believe that she would hire people to kidnap her this time. She wanted to confront Delilah and get to the bottom of this. Terry glanced at Ian and then nodded. "Of course, Mrs. Holcomb. You're the victim after all. You have the right to know the whole story."Sage responded, "Let's go then.""I'll come with you." Ian rose from the bed.Sage refused. "No way. Your injury hasn't healed yet. Just stay put.""Are you worried that you'll have to take care of me for a few more days if my condition worsens?" he asked with a sneer.She did have that thought in mind and was a bit embarrassed to be called out on it. "This doesn't concern you. There's no need for you to come with me."Ian pointed to his wound and said, "I'm also one of the victims. Why wouldn't I need to go?"That was true. Sage couldn't argue with that logic. She picked up his jacket and was about to leave when a phone rang inside the ward. The unfamiliar ringtone m
"I'll shut up, then," she brooded. Sage responded, "I'm just worried that you'll overwork yourself and blame it on me." Ian was rendered speechless.…The group arrived at the police station. Someone must've heard Ian was coming because a senior police officer came out to greet him. He and Ian exchanged pleasantries in the hall while Sage gave her statement. On her way out, she spotted Delilah in the room across the corridor looking defiant. "I refuse to answer any of your questions until my lawyer arrives! Y'all can forget about tricking me into confessing!"After she said that, she spotted Sage and stormed over, her face contorted in rage. "Sage Joyner, how dare you show your face here you wretch! All I ever asked you to do was buy me a few things and lend me your clothes. Did you really have to go to such lengths to ruin me?"Sage found the whole situation ridiculous. "Have you lost your mind, Delilah Stromberg? You're the one who's been out to get me! "Not only did you co
"Even though you used a different number to contact them and didn't meet them in person to pay them, the police have gotten the location of where the cash was handed over to them." Sage continued, "Wearing a mask and a hat was a pretty weak attempt to hide. The police have experts who can identify you through various methods. You won't be able to get away from this!"She had learned all of this from Terry. It was just a matter of time before the police came to a definitive conclusion. Delilah wouldn't be able to turn the tables on her then. It was a done deal.Sure enough, the blood drained from Delilah's face when she heard that. "I have no idea what you're on about! Don't you dare accuse me without proof!" she insisted. "If you come clean now, you might get a lighter sentence, Ms. Stromberg. But if you keep denying it, I'm afraid you may spend the rest of your life behind bars," Terry chimed in. Delilah was aware that Terry wasn't bluffing. If Ian decided to press charges, sh
Yet, Delilah kept putting her in a tough spot. She brought her to those women and made her listen to their mocking remarks at Holcomb Corporation's banquet. In an attempt to plot against her family, Delilah couldn't get to her and her grandfather, so she turned around and approached her aunt instead. Was all of that scheming and plotting just to support Ivy?"Have I not been good to you, Delilah? Why would you team up with Ivy to frame me?" Sage asked calmly. "We've been best friends for almost a decade. Doesn't that outweigh what Ivy has offered you?"Delilah's trembling body stiffened when she heard that. She hastily glanced at Ian before exclaiming in disbelief, "What are you on about, Sage? When did I team up with Ivy to conspire against you? What payoff are you blabbering about? "I know Ivy has had her eyes on Ian, and I've always been on your side. I've even confronted her a few times. She probably hates me for it, so why would she ever offer me anything?"Ian's expression
Ian glanced at Sage when he heard that. She seemed unfazed as if Delilah's words didn't bother her at all. "Ivy bribed you to ruin Sage and her family?" Ian asked Delilah. Delilah looked at him and denied, "I did all of those because I hate Sage. It's got nothing to do with anyone else.""Do you even hear yourself, Delilah?" Sage continued, "If you hate me that much, why did you confront Ivy on my behalf and cause a scene with her right in front of Ian?""Because I know Ian would hate you if I did that!" Delilah spat out. "Why don't you just chase after him like a sad little puppy? If you kept failing, I'd take pity on you and be your friend. But why did you get so lucky to get married to Ian?"Ian's such a great catch. How could you be with him? Lady Luck always seemed to be on your side. You were always better than me. You were even further out of my reach when you became Mrs. Holcomb. My dad kept chastising me for being useless. He said I couldn't even hold a candle to you!"
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