"You've already rejected my feelings, so don't reject this contract too. At least let me experience the joy of success just this once," Shane added.Sage was quiet for a moment before suggesting as a compromise, "Then, I'll consider you a partner.""I'm not asking you to buy shares. It belongs to you." Shane looked as if there was no room for discussion.Seeing Shane's persistence, Sage felt a bit moved.Trying to lighten the mood, she said, "Shane, you better not regret not investing. When I start making money, all you can do is watch."Shane flashed a devilish smile she hadn't seen in a long time. "Wanting to watch the woman I like succeed in her career proves I have good taste."There was a hint of ambiguity in those words, but Sage still replied in a relaxed tone, "I hope I won't disappoint Mr. Morrison's expectations."Shane looked at Sage's foot, wanting to get closer to examine it but restrained himself. He asked, "Does it still hurt? Have you applied any medication?"Sa
Seeing Shane's hesitation, Sage said, "If what you need to handle isn't very urgent, why don't you stay and have a meal before leaving?"Shane had some matters to attend to, but he had not seen Sage for several days and was reluctant to leave.Just as he was about to nod, Sage spoke up again, "Didn't you brag at the hospital last time that your cooking is really good? How about showing us what you've got?"The taunting strengthened Shane's resolve to stay. Rolling up his sleeves, he decided to prove right then and there that he wasn't just talking big.But Shane was a guest, so Wanda didn't make him do all the cooking. Apart from asking him to make his specialty dish, she prepared the rest of the food herself.After being busy in the kitchen for quite some time, Shane served them a dish of pan-seared lemon butter sole.Giselle tactfully went to the kitchen to help as Shane placed the food in front of Sage.The flounder was pan-fried to a golden brown color and drizzled with lemo
After being rejected by Sage, Ian walked toward his car.Just before getting into the car, he glanced at the two carefully packaged cups of latte in his hands and got momentarily distracted.At this moment, a sweet voice rang out. "Mr. Holcomb?"Ian turned around to find Abby, who was holding a kitten."It's really you!" Abby exclaimed, somewhat surprised. "What are you doing here? Didn't you say you had something important to deal with and declined the dinner with my dad?"Ian briefly replied, "I just have something personal to attend to."Abby looked at the latte in his hand and said, "Mr. Holcomb, do you also like drinking latte? This is Haldon City's famous fruit latte. Usually, you have to wait in line for a long time to get it!"Ian didn't respond to her. "Ms. Sutton, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now.""Mr. Holcomb, since we've already run into each other. let's have a chat!" Abby blinked playfully. "I know you and Leo have been arguing because of our arran
Ian wasn't interested in the cat's name, but Abby seemed quite eager to share, so he politely asked, "Why?""Because it was like a hedgehog at the time, all bristly and fluffed up! When I tried to treat its wound, it even bit me!" Abby said as she laughed to herself.Seeing that Ian wasn't saying much, Abby felt embarrassed and apologized, "Sorry, Mr. Holcomb. I can't seem to stop talking whenever I mention Thorn."Ian was somewhat distracted, thinking about Sage.She loved bunnies and pandas, and every time she saw a hedgehog, she just had to pet it."Maybe it's just in our nature as girls," Abby said with a charming smile. "Ms. Joyner likes animals too, right? I heard Mr. Morrison catered to her interests and even bought her a zoo…"Before she could finish her sentence, Abby realized she had spoken too quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring this up and upset you.""There's nothing to be upset about. It's just a fact." Ian's tone was neutral, giving no hint of his emotions
Ian's expression was indifferent. "Sorry, I'm afraid I can't cooperate with you on this."Abby was slightly stunned, clearly not expecting Ian to refuse so bluntly."Ms. Sutton, please take your time to enjoy the meal. I will take my leave now," said Ian as he stood up.Abby didn't try to keep him. Instead, she spoke generously, "No worries, Mr. Holcomb. I'm friends with both you and Ms. Joyner."I won't stand by and watch the shareholders give you a hard time. I'll have a good talk with my dad soon and ask him to help you get out of this tough situation!"Ian didn't take Abby's words to heart and turned around to leave.…Another two days went by, and Sage's foot injury was mostly healed. There were only a few days left until the company's opening ceremony.With Shane's persistence, Shekdotter Inc.'s main assets had all been incorporated into "Breakthrough Investment".The company name "Breakthrough" was decided after careful consideration by Sage and Priscilla.It was also
When Sage heard the name Ian from Priscilla, she was quite surprised.She didn't mention anything about Damsburg to Ian. How did he find out?At that time, Ian was probably still in the process of building trust with Ivy. Why would he choose to help Sage?Priscilla could tell what Sage was thinking. "It was just a guess at first, but later that night when Benjamin attempted suicide and ended up in the hospital, I asked Mr. Holcomb and confirmed it was him."Mr. Holcomb probably suspected Ms. Shekdotter before then but didn't tell you."Priscilla added, "Sage, this house you're living in was also arranged for you by Mr. Holcomb through me."Sage was taken aback once more. No wonder Ian was so familiar with her home's layout. It turned out that this place actually belonged to him!"Is Ian the friend you mentioned before?" Sage asked."Mr. Holcomb was worried that if you knew it was him, you wouldn't accept his help, so he asked me to assist him instead."You weren't satisfied wi
As the two chatted and laughed, they saw Marcus ahead. He was wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and a dark grey suit, exuding the charm of a mature man.Marcus also saw them and gave a slight nod with a smile.As the host, Sage stepped forward to welcome him. Shane also greeted him politely. Shortly after, a few businessmen pulled Marcus aside.Shane asked Sage, "Why is Marcus here? Did you invite him?"Sage told him about her having lunch with Marcus and Giselle a few days ago.Shane narrowed his eyes and gazed at Marcus, who was smiling not far away. "I have a feeling something's off about him.""Off?""It seems like he wants to get close to you."Sage was so shocked that she choked on her saliva and started coughing.Shane handed her some water. "What's with the big reaction? I've known him for a long time, and he never wastes time on meaningless things."Even though he used coming to see Giselle as an excuse, don't you think we're running into him a bit too often?"S
Priscilla and several politicians escorted Dale to his seat.Then, an employee came to ask Sage something, so Sage planned to walk with him to the side to talk.Suddenly, a rough male voice rang out. "You'll pay for this, Sage Joyner!"As Sage turned, she saw a man pulling out a bottle of red liquid from his coat and throwing it toward her.He was moving too fast for Sage to react or evade in time."Watch out!"Just when Sage thought she was about to get splashed with something dirty, a dark gray figure appeared in front of her to shield her.Almost at the same moment, the man who threw the bottle was kicked away and cried out in pain. The bottle fell to the ground with a loud noise.A strong smell of paint filled the air as Sage lifted her head in surprise. She discovered that it was Marcus who had stepped in front of her.The paint was splashed onto his back, leaving bright red marks on his collar and neck. Some of it even got into his hair and onto his cheeks, making him lo