Sage frowned and was about to say something when Ian said softly, "When I was about ten years old, a servant drugged me and pushed me into the water. Ivy was the one who rescued me." "I know that. After all, I liked you for so many years. How could I not know about something so basic? "That's why I said that you always have your reasons for doing something. You really don't have to explain anything to a nobody like me," said Sage."You're not a nobody…""That's enough, Ian. You make me feel disgusted by acting like this." The word "disgusted" felt like a slap to Ian, and he looked slightly offended. Sage knew that he was used to being put on a pedestal and all he usually heard were praises. Nobody would dare call him disgusting.Regardless, Sage was really annoyed by his behavior. He had promised to deal with everything and give her compensation, but he still found Ronald a doctor and reinstated Ivy at Bolton Investment. Although this was mostly Leo Holcomb's doing, Ian stil
Sage refused. "Forget about it. I don't think I want to know.""I'm afraid you have to go this time. I think Giselle already told you that my father doesn't believe that I have a crush on someone new. He sent my brother to meet you," said Shane."What if I still refuse?""Men from the Morrison family are very stubborn. You know that from how I've set my mind on you. If you don't go, they might come right up to you on the street," said Shane half seriously. Sage was speechless."Don't worry. Nobody can bully you when I'm around," comforted Shane.Sage rolled her eyes and said, "I won't play along with you. If your brother asks, then I'm just going to tell him that I'm not interested in you.""Whatever makes you happy," said Shane."Now you can tell me what you have on Ron.""Didn't you say that you didn't want to know?" said Shane."Then don't expect me to go to dinner with you. They can confront me on the street if they want to!" retorted Sage."You're so sensitive. Do you
Shane put his feet up on the coffee table again and said, "She most probably does. But who cares? She has no one to blame but herself for being so blind. It's even more ridiculous that she got scammed when she's an investor herself!" Sage was speechless."That man, York, whom you planted in the Shekdotters' company, signed a huge project in the last two days. Was that your doing?" asked Shane lazily.Sage didn't plan to keep Shane in the dark about these matters, so she said, "I'm just giving her a taste of her own medicine.""Sage, I love how you're taking revenge! Don't worry. I'll surely help you!"Back in her own office, Sage called Henry to ask if there were any updates on Shekdotter Inc. over the past two days. If Ivy had found out about Shane, then she definitely knew that Sage was connected to the incident too. Who knew if she would suspect Henry? Sage and Henry had been close before this and there were transaction histories between them. Ivy would find all the eviden
Henry thanked his lucky stars that the woman and her boyfriend left Haldon City after the incident had been exposed. Ivy wouldn't be able to find out about them."Don't think I won't find out just because that woman quit her job and left Haldon City. If I find out that you're involved in this, then I'll kill you and your mother!" threatened Ivy.She kicked Henry in the chest and sat down at her desk. Henry was already weak from the beating he had gotten, and he vomited blood when she kicked him. Sandra kept whimpering and bowing to make Ivy forgive them. Ivy wiped her hands with a wet tissue. She didn't care.Henry started begging again. "Ivy, I was foolish to make such a mistake. I only listened to Sage because I wanted to escape poverty… I'll never do it again. I'll work like a slave for you. Please, just forgive me this one time … "Sandra wept and nodded. Ivy let them beg until their knees and foreheads bled before ordering the men to leave the office. "Since you were alr
Shane was already waiting for Sage when she and Giselle returned to the office in the afternoon after meeting with a client."Do I really have to go?" Sage asked.He responded, "Yes."Sage was at a loss for words.The duo drove to an exclusive private restaurant in Haldon that required reservations to dine in and wasn't open to the public. The waiter led them to a private dining room upstairs, but Simon hadn't arrived yet.Sage sighed as she thought about the uncomfortable situation she was going to be in. There was nothing between her and Shane, so why did she feel like she and Shane were a pair of lovebirds who were about to be forced to break up?Shane noticed her resignation and nervousness. "Don't worry, I've prepared some pepper spray for you. If things get hairy, just whip it out and use it!" He then handed her a pen. Sage was taken aback. "Isn't your older brother an official? Why do we need pepper spray?"Shane frowned uncharacteristically and explained solemnly, "Y
Smiling, Sage responded, "It's your gathering, Mr. Simon. You're free to invite whoever you want. I don't mind at all.""Great. Let's all take our seats then." Simon then instructed the waiter next to him, "Serve the dishes."The waiter left and the group took their seats at the dining table. It was a fine, solid wood round table with an antique charm. There were fruit platters and nuts on it, as well as a vase of fresh flowers and incense, adding to the ambiance.After Sage sat down, Shane took a seat right next to her and casually handed her a piece of fruit. "Don't you have low blood sugar? Here, have some fruit so you don't pass out."Sage glared at him discreetly, but he kept his hand up. Simon and Ian were both looking at her. Things would only become more awkward if this continued. She had no choice but to calmly accept the fruit and take a small bite. "Is it sweet?" Shane asked."That darn Shane was doing this on purpose!" she cursed inwardly. Sage couldn't help hers
Sage decided not to eat the food they offered and instead chose to pick up a stalk of green beans for herself. "Thanks, but I'll just pick what I want."Shane grumbled, "I've never been so thoughtful to a woman before, Sage. Yet, you're not even going to give me a chance?"She glared at him, and he immediately surrendered. "Alright, alright. You do you."Ian pursed his lips and remained silent, while Simon continued to eat as if nothing happened. Simon remained tight-lipped about Sage and Shane's relationship throughout dinner. Sage had a feeling he was well-informed about her background and her relationship with Shane. Thus, the gathering wasn't the uncomfortable situation she had feared, but rather his roundabout way of telling her that she wasn't compatible with Shane.She didn't have any desire to pursue anything with Shane anyway, so Simon's actions held no weight with her. As the gathering drew to a close, Sage felt as if she had accomplished her mission. She was abou
Sage was caught off guard. Shane added, "If it bothers you when Ian and I fight every time we meet, I'll try to restrain myself from now on."He sounded genuine and a little hurt. It tugged at her heartstrings. She even wondered if she had been too harsh on him. After all, she had played a part in Giselle's decision to call off their engagement, and she felt responsible for the fact that he had to deal with all of these problems."Shane, I—""Well, well, would you look at that, Sage? You can't help but want to talk to me, after all!" Shane teased."You're such a jerk, Shane!" Sage couldn't help it anymore. She punched him squarely in the chest. To her surprise, he didn't move out of the way. He clutched his aching chest and groaned out in pain. Sage had trained for a while, so her punch was nowhere near weak. She had assumed that he would dodge her attack. She had no idea that he would let her hit him. "Are you okay?" she asked, leaning in to check on him.Shane looked u
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