Shortly after, a housekeeper's voice sounded. "Welcome back, Mr. Holcomb."Sage's brows knitted. Why was Leo here? She hadn't run into Leo during her previous visits to Holcomb Manor, and she assumed he wasn't on good terms with Matilda, so he wouldn't come over. But here he was."Let's take a picture, Sage!" Sandy called out cheerily. Sage didn't want to dampen Sandy's mood, so she joined her with a smile.About half an hour later, Matilda came out to look for them and brought Sandy some water and her medications. Sandy obediently took them but was still in high spirits and suggested playing hide-and-seek with Sage.Sage hadn't expected her to suggest such a childish game. After all, the last time she played it was in elementary school.With a smile, Matilda explained, "A few of the housekeepers here treat Sandy like a child and have played hide-and-seek with her when she was feeling well. She probably thinks it's fun and wants to play it with you."Sage was willing to play
Steadying herself using the drawer, Sage couldn't help but feel a little silly. She had gone to such lengths to win a game of hide-and-seek. It would've been extremely embarrassing if she had tripped and fallen.Fortunately, no one else was there. Sage sighed in relief and reached out to close the drawer. But then she noticed a wooden box inside with its lid half-open. Inside, she spotted something that looked familiar—a crescent-shaped, light purple crystal hair clip.When she was in high school, she enjoyed wearing all kinds of hairbands, hair accessories, and hair clips. On her 18th birthday, her grandfather had commissioned a designer to create a custom set of crystal hair accessories for her, and one of the clips looked similar to this one.However, she often misplaced things and lost quite a few of them. This crescent-shaped hair clip had been missing for years. Was this her hair clip? Or had someone else purchased a similar one and left it here?Matilda and Linda would n
Sage was bewildered. Leo wanted Ian and Abby to get married? But it kind of made sense. Ian had mentioned that the Suttons were powerful and had a strong background. The union between these two families would definitely bring them to new heights."No matter how long it's been since I've been divorced, she's the only one I've ever truly cared about." Ian's cold voice sounded again. "I wouldn't mind collaborating with the Suttons, but if marriage is part of the deal, then it's off the table.""Do you really think you're all grown up now, Ian Holcomb? How dare you speak to me in that tone?" Leo was furious. "A real man should seize every opportunity to expand the family business. Indulging in romantic relationships will lead you nowhere!""So, you want me to expand our family business through marriage?" Ian said coldly. "Don't you find it disgraceful to use marriage as a weapon?""Watch your mouth!" Leo snarled. "I'm your father, Ian. How could you disrespect me like this? I've turn
Ian's forehead creased when he heard the housekeeper address Sage as "Ms. Joyner." However, no one knew what was on his mind, and the housekeepers simply looked in the direction of the study anxiously.He pursed his lips and asked Sage, "Are you okay?"Sage freed herself from his embrace, straightened up, and nodded. "I'm fine."His heart sank as the warmth and softness of her body were gone from his embrace. But he didn't let it show on his face as he said, "Let's go."Downstairs, Matilda and Linda had also heard the commotion and had gathered at the foot of the stairs. "What happened, Ian?" Linda asked. "I thought your father wanted to talk to you about work. How did it turn into a fight?"Not wanting to worry his grandmother, Ian simply responded, "We had a disagreement and argued a bit."Matilda, on the other hand, looked at him with concern. "Are you alright?""Yeah," Ian responded, slightly unwell. "I'll take Sage home first. Let's talk about this later.""Don't bother.
Ignoring his expression, Sage responded apathetically, "The Suttons must be satisfied with you to agree to the marriage. Your father is also satisfied with Ms. Sutton. A marriage that is supported by both your families is a good thing.""Do you seriously think the Suttons are good, or do you just want to get rid of me so I won't pester you anymore?" Ian asked lowly. Sage simply said, "A little bit of both, I guess."When he heard that, his eyes noticeably dimmed. "Are you that afraid that I'll affect your relationship with Shane?"As soon as he brought up Shane, she was well aware that this conversation would inevitably lead to an argument. Sage was tired enough that day and didn't want to argue with Ian."I'm heading upstairs," she said coldly. Then, she walked into the lobby without sparing him another glance. Ian didn't move a muscle as he watched her slender figure disappear. In the past, Sage would rush to Holcomb Corporation as soon as she learned that someone wanted to g
Sage added, "If you're free on Saturday, you could come with me.""Of course, I'll be free!" Shane responded eagerly. "I'll wrap things up here and head back to Haldon right away."Sage was rendered speechless. After ending the call with Shane, she called Tiana to make dinner plans. However, Tiana told her she had something to take care of and wouldn't be able to join her. Sage had no choice but to dine alone.Tiana did have something to take care of because Larry had called her and asked her to go to Wendy's ward as they had something to discuss with her. "I've already said everything that needed to be said before the divorce. I don't have time to listen to you two anymore," she declined.Yet, he brought up the management of Heartstone Hospital, saying he was worried about Wilson running back and forth between the two hospitals. Management offered to transfer Wendy to Heartstone Hospital.Tiana understood what he was getting at. Either she went to visit them or they would tra
After listening to Wendy's demands, Tiana scoffed. "Mr. and Mrs. Tate, are you guys deaf? Or am I not making myself clear enough?" She continued, "I will never get back together with Wilson, and I will never marry into your family again! Also, all those demands of yours? I won't be following any of it! You should save them for someone else!""How dare you!" Wendy's face twisted in anger. Ever since her first confrontation with Tiana, she had never been able to come out on top, and the simmering anger within her had never subsided.Even after Tiana and Wilson divorced, she still didn't have the upper hand. Not only did she get the stink eye from Tiana and her friends, but she even threatened her. Here she was, attempting to give Tiana another chance for her son's sake. Yet, Tiana dared to be so ungrateful!"Tiana Ford, with your conditions, you should be on your knees thanking your lucky stars that you were able to marry Wilson! How dare you talk to us so arrogantly?" Wendy fumed
Larry rushed over to help his wife up. Wilson couldn't just stand there and watch. He also hurried to his mother's side. "Wilson, let Tiana go…" Wendy said weakly."Mom—""Wilson, are you still going to break your mother's heart?" Larry interjected sternly.Wilson looked up to explain himself to Tiana, but she had already left. He knew he couldn't catch up to her, not just in terms of the physical distance between them but also the emotional chasm that had grown between their hearts……Meanwhile, Tiana walked out of the hospital. The sun had set, and the city lights were twinkling against the darkening sky. The apartment buildings across the street were adorned with warm, welcoming lights. Once upon a time, she, too, had hoped to find a warm, welcoming home among these countless twinkling lights. From the day she married Wilson, she had genuinely wanted to treat his parents as her own. Having lost her parents at a young age, she saw this as a way to fill the void in her he