Ian claimed that he cared for Sage and vowed to win her heart. Yet, he had shown that he cared for Ivy the most. He would act on his heart at the moment of life and death. Sage questioned if the decision to help Ivy return to Bolton Investment and the effort to find Ronald a doctor was fully Leo's wish."Don't overthink." Tiana mistakenly thought that Sage was fretting over Henry's death. "I'll confirm the news later."Sage did not bother to explain herself. She nodded and shut her eyes. Tiana seemed to have something to say, but she held her tongue when she noticed the fatigue on Sage's face.…The sky was dark when Sage woke up again. The dizziness seemed to have subsided. After having some food, she decided to visit Shane.Shane laid in his bed with the blanket covering him from the chest down. She could vaguely make out the bandages on his body. His handsome face was devoid of his usual roguishness. Instead, he looked lifeless and pale.Sage was instantly weighed down wit
The visitor was Ian. He was in a wheelchair and dressed in a patient's robe, looking as pallid as Shane. His eyes were a sea of mixed, intense emotions—regret, fear, and thrill. She paused.According to Tiana, "they" had all sustained injuries. If Shane was grazed by bullets, did Ian suffer from gunshot wounds? Was this what Tiana had hesitated to tell her?"I don't welcome you here. You're only going to pollute the air I breathe." Shane turned hostile when he saw Ian.He couldn't get over Ian's refusal to share the information on Sage despite fully knowing that he was in Toledon looking for Sage. When Shane arrived with reinforcements, Ian was already there.More than anything, he couldn't forgive Ian for placing Sage in that dangerous situation. But Ian wasn't angered at Shane's aversion. He fixed his longing gaze on Sage. Sensing that Ian had something to say, Sage told Shane, "Have a good rest. I'll drop by in a while.""When will that be?" Shane questioned with a tinge of
"I trust your word." Ian put on a ruthless expression after hearing Sage's words. His eyes glimmered coldly. "I'll offer you an explanation.""Will you, Ian Holcomb?" she mused. "Ivy saved your life when you were young. You two grew up together. Are you sure you'll steel up when she cries?"Her smile and her words were filled with mockery. She did not believe in him at all.Feeling a dull pain rising in his chest, he said sternly, "Sage, whoever hurts you will need to pay the price."She stared at him. "Fine then. I'll wait. I hope you walk the talk."At that moment, someone arrived with updates. "Mr. Holcomb, Ms. Shekdotter is awake.""Got it." Facing Sage's disdain, he said, "Sage, I'll explain everything to you after I'm done taking care of Ivy's matters."After Ian and his men left the room, Tiana returned. She confirmed with Sage, "I got the confirmation that Henry was the Elstian victim last night."From what I learned, he wanted to kill Ivy, but she accidentally killed h
Sage rolled her eyes at Tiana's question and refused to answer."Okay. I'll do this another way. You asked about Shane when you woke up. Did you not worry about Ian at all?" Tiana asked.With a self-deprecating grin, Sage thought, "What's the point of worrying over Ian? I shouldn't be wasting my time and energy on him."Tiana continued staring at Sage in curiosity. Sage blurted out, "Dear Tiana, why don't you tell me if you'd prefer seeing me with Shane or Ian?"Tiana giggled, knowing how gossipy Sage was. "I was curious! I wanted to know if you still have Ian in your heart. If you don't, you can give Shane a shot!""No. Definitely not Shane Morrison!" Calvin's voice echoed outside the room. Soon, he appeared in front of the ladies.Tiana questioned, "Why are you here?""Of course, I need to drop by after what happened to Ian and my sister-in-law. Tiana, why didn't you tell me you were visiting? I could have offered you a ride!"Tiana replied, "Sorry. I was in a hurry and didn'
"I… Anyway, Sage cannot date Shane Morrison!""She's a fool if she gives Ian a second chance!"Sage cleared her throat as Tiana and Calvin bickered. "Can the both of you have your fight in the corridor? I'm a patient here."They hurriedly snapped out of it and felt sheepish about their childish behavior. Calvin apologized first."Tiana, I'm sorry. I was overly emotional just now. I haven't had dinner yet. Are you hungry? Want to join me?"Tiana felt embarrassed by her reaction after Calvin's attitude softened. "I won't—"Sage announced, "Go, Tiana. I need some peace now."Tiana looked speechless.…In another room, Ivy laid in the bed. She had multiple soft tissue injuries and tears. The worst injury was the stab wound on the side of her chest, which she had gotten a few stitches for.She opened her eyes when she heard some sound in her room. Ian showed up in his wheelchair with a sour face.Ivy looked a little panicked, but she didn't show it. She called out to him weakly,
A bad feeling washed over Ivy when she saw Ian's unforgiving and determined expression. Had something gone awry?It was Henry who brought Sage to Toledon for a project that existed in real life. Meanwhile, Ivy herself had a valid reason to visit Toledon. Not only that, she had been put through hell.After Henry's death, why would Ian insist that she had something to do with the incident? Did he rely on Sage's one-sided account?As Ivy was going through the possibilities in her mind, Ian pulled out a recording on his phone."You need to be extra careful. You cannot raise her suspicion before you arrive in Toledon. If you mess this up again, I'll send you and your mom to jail for life!"Those were the audio recordings of her calls with Henry! Her mind went blank and her hands froze. Her scalp tingled from the shock. "W- Where did you get this from? Someone must have been plotting against me!" She raised her voice. "This must be fabricated. Ian, you need to investigate it thoroughl
Ian set a steely gaze on Ivy. "Since you insist that you're the sole culprit, you deserve to spend the rest of your life in prison for your vile actions.""No, Ian! Don't do this to me…" Ivy wanted to get up from the floor and beg for mercy, but she tore her wounds in her haste. She fainted before she could stand up.The bodyguard in the ward quickly called the doctor to check on Ivy. The doctor later confirmed that Ivy had not been faking it. She had really fainted from her grave injury and blood loss.…After Tiana and Calvin left, Sage had no mood for rest. Instead, she made her way to Shane's room. However, she hesitated at the door.As Tiana had said, Shane's feelings must have been genuine if he was willing to risk his life for her. Still, they were a huge burden to her. At first, she thought Shane was fond of her because she was fun to tease, not to mention he could spite Ian. She never thought he was being serious."Sage? Are you at the door?" Shane spoke from within th
Shane was lost and confused. "What?"Sage cast him a puzzled look. "We've only hung out for a few months, and I'm not special. Why would you have real feelings for me?" Shane fell silent after hearing her words. "What does that even mean?" He would have tapped her on the head if he could move more. "Did you think my feelings for you were not real? Did you think I was just bluffing when I said I was into you?"She cleared her throat. "No one can tell the truth from a lie because you're such an unserious person.""Sage, you—" Shane was too dumbfounded and annoyed to speak.Sage knew that her question was unfair after all he had done for her. He helped her trick Ivy, bought a property for her, followed her to Southbend, and even tried to gift her an entire zoo. He had clearly shown his feelings through his actions, but she just never took them seriously.In the face of his anger, she cut the apple into cubes and handed him one. "Want one?""No," he said disgruntledly. "Sage, i