Sage asked confusedly, "Didn't he already leave?""He came back." Zachary pointed toward the entrance.Sage looked over and spotted Ian. She didn't know if it was an illusion, but Ian's broad shoulders seemed to sag."Even Mr. Holcomb, who's so determined, chose to leave. It seems like you and Mr. Morrison are affecting him quite badly. Now I feel better knowing it's no wonder I don't stand a chance," said Zachary with a little self-comfort.Sage didn't know what to say. Zachary put his sadness aside and talked business with her. "Ms. Sutton is very pleased with the fragrance you designed for her and recommended another client to us. "However, the new designer we hired isn't experienced enough. I hope you can meet the client with us. Are you free in the next few days?"It was a good opportunity for Maven Corporation to start making customized perfumes, so Sage didn't refuse. Zachary told her that Abby's order was almost completed, and she would pay in full in another week. T
Sage was surprised to hear Donald's words. Ian had gone to see him alone? Sage couldn't tell Donald about what had happened in Toledonese, so she merely said that Ian had gotten into an accident and injured himself."Did he get injured from protecting you?" asked Donald.Sage nodded."And you don't feel touched at all?" Donald asked in surprise.In the past life, Sage's heart would have broken if Ian even scratched himself because of her, much less taken a bullet for her. Now, Sage just felt weary. She said simply, "The situation was complicated. It's hard to tell you everything all at once."Donald thought about it and said, "Sage, I hope that you only get into a new relationship because you love that person. Not because of other reasons."Sage knew what he meant and said, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm not accepting Shane just because I'm trying to make Ian jealous."Only then did Donald feel relieved. "Okay. You're really all grown up now."They chatted for a while more until
However, Shane was worried that Sage would ignore him and change her mind on giving him a chance if he pissed her off.Therefore, he had no choice but to hold her hand and say miserably, "Spare me a glance too, would you? Could you like me too?"Sage's heart softened a little, and she did not shake him off. "Zachary confessed his feelings to me a few times, but I rejected him. Today, he told me that he would slowly learn to let go and find a girl who loves him back," said Sage.Shane's eyes lit up. "Did you reject him for me?"Although Sage had never had any romantic feelings for Zachary, it was true that she had only rejected him outright after agreeing to give Shane a chance.She nodded and said, "I guess you could say that.""You could have just told me yes!" Shane wasn't very satisfied with her answer, but he appreciated it nonetheless. "Sage, everyone addresses you like they're so close to you. Can I do it too?" asked Shane.Sage couldn't help but laugh when she saw his
Ian tightened his grip around her and said, "Sage, I know you hate me. I hate myself too. I hate myself for not being more patient with you last time and not knowing my feelings for you sooner… "I was wrong. I'll appreciate you better from now on. Sage, don't leave me behind. Give me some time and give me a chance to correct my mistakes."Sage was stuck in his tight embrace and his hot breath brushed against her ear. She had thought that she had lost all feelings for him, but his words still made her feel sad. "Ian, not all mistakes can be made right." Sage made her tone sound indifferent and said, "I accept your apology, but I don't have feelings for you anymore. I can't give you another chance.""Is it because of Shane?" Ian looked up and his eyes were filled with pain."There will be other men even without Shane. I can't give up on love just because you hurt me. I would still start a new relationship. "You don't have to feel like you've lost. Stop asking me to take you back
Ian stood rooted to the ground while Sandra threw Ivy against the bedpost. "You killed my son, you fucking bitch!" shouted Sandra."Stop!" said a voice. Just as Ivy was about to pass out, someone wheeled Ronald into the room."Let Ivy go! Sandra, you're an ungrateful maniac. Stop immediately!" Ronald shouted.Sandra immediately let go of Ivy when she saw Ronald and rushed toward him with a wild look in her eyes. "You old bastard! You raised such an evil daughter. She killed my son, and I'm going to make you pay for it too!" bellowed Sandra.Although Sandra was fast, she still couldn't get to him in time. The two men beside Ronald stepped forward and grabbed her by the arms."You'll burn in the pits of hell! Your whole family will burn with you!" Sandra cursed as she struggled."Get her out of here!" commanded Ronald.Ronald's men took Ivy to the door, but two buff bodyguards blocked their way. They were Ian's men, and they looked like they wouldn't budge until Ian gave his
Actually, Ivy wasn't afraid of Sandra. If it wasn't for Ian, she would never have let Sandra get out of jail in Toledon back then.Alas, Ian was hell-bent on protecting Sandra. He had not only put Sandra through a psychiatric evaluation but even put her in the same mental institution as Ivy!Even though Ronald had asked nurses to protect Ivy, Sandra always found a way to appear in front of her. She would berate Ivy and even beat her up like a maniac! Ronald had begged Leo Holcomb to save Ivy many times. Leo had already helped her escape prosecution and there was no way he would keep going against Ian to help her.Besides, Ian had been in charge of Holcomb Corporation for so many years. Leo could no longer threaten him so easily.Ivy had finally seen the reality after so many days of torment. Ian wouldn't let her off the hook, and she had no choice but to cooperate with him.Ivy looked at him with red-rimmed eyes and said, "Ian, can I ask you a few questions before I start explai
"I already had someone look into it. Although my father gave you a lot of money to do things for him, he had nothing to do with the kidnapping in Toledon. He doesn't even know what you did!" said Ian.A look of panic crossed Ivy's face. She had indeed planned to implicate Leo in this, but she never expected Ian to investigate his own father! "Who else was behind the kidnapping?" demanded Ian.Ian had always found the recording implicating Ivy very suspicious, but he couldn't find the source. He had asked Ivy if anyone else was behind the kidnapping, but she had denied it.Logically, Ivy would have jumped at the chance to blame someone else. So why had she denied it? That was why Ian suspected that other people wanted to hurt Sage besides Ivy. Ian could still throw Ivy in jail easily regardless of his father's involvement, but he couldn't feel at ease if he didn't catch her accomplice."There's no use trying to hide the truth anymore. The recording of you kidnapping Sage has bee
Shortly, a woman's screams echoed throughout the mental institution. It wasn't a strange thing to happen at a mental hospital. People screamed all the time. That night was anything but peaceful.…The next day, Sage received a phone call from Shane right after she came out from her shower. He said that he was about to reach her place and asked her to wait for him downstairs when she was done. He would take her out for breakfast. Tiana overheard their conversation and teased, "Shane can't survive a day without seeing you now, huh?"Sage rolled her eyes and said, "Don't think I didn't hear you last night. You were talking on the phone with Calvin."Tiana took it calmly. "We call all the time. It doesn't prove anything. You didn't tell me anything about your uncle's birthday. Are you hiding secrets from me?"The night before, Sage had felt overwhelmed and sad after what had happened with Ian. Tiana had been chatting happily with Calvin, so she didn't want to disturb her. Sage j