Sage scoffed. "Delilah, don't you find it ridiculous to even ask for that? After all you've done to me, do you honestly think I'd let you off the hook?"After hearing that, Delilah thought of something and quivered. Then, she pleaded, "I know I messed up, Sage! Could you please forgive me? I promise I'll never come after you again. I'll do whatever you say, just please give me another chance!""I don't need a lackey, nor do I need someone who just blindly follows my orders. If that's all you have to say, I'm not going to waste any more time here." With that, Sage rose to her feet, preparing to leave."Sage!" Delilah called out in a panic. "I didn't want to go after you or your family either. I was forced to—""How'd Ivy force you? Did she hold a knife to your throat?" Sage inquired coldly.Delilah shook her head. "Please help me, Sage. I'm begging you. I promise I'll never do this again…""I will not help you, Delilah," Sage said. "Since you've decided to align yourself with Ivy,

Delilah sobbed. "I had no choice, Sage. Now that I've told you everything, could you please talk to Ian for me?"Sage snorted. "Do you seriously think you can just talk your way out of this after you've made so many mistakes? If I hadn't been lucky that night, who knows what kind of torture you would've subjected me to!"My family was almost ruined because of your schemes! You'd better advise your father to turn himself in. That might be your only chance for leniency.""That's no different from forcing us into a corner!" Delilah bawled. "How the hell are we supposed to survive after we lose our family business?""People have to face the consequences of their actions. You should've been prepared for the repercussions when you chose this path," Sage responded."Shut the fuck up!" Delilah's eyes blazed with anger. "Stop running your mouth, Sage Joyner! "Without Ian Holcomb, you and your family would be nothing! Everyone knows that your family business has been thriving for the past

After saying that stoically, Ian walked toward the elevator.Terry sighed quietly. He had assumed that Ian's call with Sage would mark a turning point, but it seemed that wasn't the case. Alas, there was no hope of his bonus being restored this month.…Meanwhile, Ian arrived at Calvin's place. The latter had changed into sportswear and was fixing his hair in front of the mirror. He was quite surprised to see Ian. "What brings you here, Ian?"Ian plopped down on his couch and glanced at him. "Where are you off to?"Calvin combed his hair back to make himself look sporty and energetic. "Tiana told me that several hospitals in town will be hosting a volleyball tournament next week. "There aren't a lot of people in their hospital who can play, so they have to invite some from elsewhere. I happen to be free, so I thought I'd join in the fun!"Ian arched his brow when he heard that. "Tiana? When did you and Ms. Ford become so close?"Calvin chuckled. "Tiana said we're friends and

"Would I be wasting your time by calling you over to help us with the tournament?" Tiana asked. Calvin responded with a smile, "Of course not! You're not like the others. Besides being Mrs. Holcomb's best friend, you're also my friend. For a friend, I'd do more than just join a match. I'd go all out!"When she heard that, she couldn't help but tease him. "I doubt you'd be able to go all out. After all, you'd faint at the sight of blood."His cheeks heated up when she pointed out his weakness. "I don't faint every time I see blood… Besides, I'm a pretty good fighter. I could easily take on three people at once!""I believe you!" Tiana nodded earnestly.When he noticed her reaction, Calvin couldn't help but burst into laughter, and a good chunk of his embarrassment faded away. He scratched the back of his head and said, "I have no idea why, but I feel dizzy and lightheaded whenever I see blood. A lot of people think I fake it to avoid danger."“It's okay. Hemophobia isn't a rare

Tiana didn't really care about whether Ian recognized his own feelings. Last time, Ian had carried the injured Ivy off right in front of Sage and ignored her. It was time for Ian to get a taste of his own medicine! Of course, Tiana didn't tell Calvin what she was thinking. She refilled his coffee and raised her own cup. "Cheers to our little secret," she said. "Cheers!"…Sage had just gotten back to the office when Shane phoned her to summon her to his office. "You had lunch with Giselle?" asked Shane.He was sitting at his desk like he had nothing better to do, and he had his legs atop the desk. "Yeah. Is something the matter?" said Sage."Don't tell me you shared with her some tips on how to chase after a guy?" joked Shane.Sage knew that he was indirectly teasing her about how she had once tried to win Ian's heart.She rolled her eyes and said, "Mr. Morrison, narcissism is a disorder. You should get treated for it. Giselle only wants to focus on her career now. Sh