His skin was ice cold on Sage's lips, carrying the subtle scent of his aftershave. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hastily took a step back. As she did so, she realized that her red lipstick had stained his handsome face. "Sage, what are you up to? Why'd you start kissing Ian all of a sudden?" Susan asked.Sage had no idea he would suddenly turn his head! Ian rose from the couch just as she was about to explain herself. "Uncle Owen, Aunt Susan, please excuse me for a moment."He then took a tissue and disappeared into the lounge. Sage followed suit as she couldn't be bothered to waste her breath on them.Ian was wiping his face with a tissue when she walked in. His gaze was dark and unreadable. Sage closed the door and cleared her throat. "I didn't mean to… I just—""Just spit it out and get it over with," he growled, interrupting her.Sage didn't beat around the bush either. "Have you signed the divorce agreement?"Ian looked down at her when he heard that. Sage was much sho
Susan started berating Sage as soon as she stepped outside. Sage was in a good mood, so she let it slide. She even comforted Owen. "Calm down, Uncle Owen. Don't you think it'll be better for us if we can seal a deal without Ian's help?""Don't pull that crap on me. I'm not your grandfather. It won't work on me!" Owen snorted. "Do you think it's easy to run a business? In this day and age, connections are everything! Why should I disregard what we have with Ian and make things harder for myself?"Sage was about to respond when the elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. An employee rushed out, his arms laden with files. Even though she tried to step aside to avoid him, she still bumped into his shoulder. The employee's files and her folder both fell to the ground."I'm so sorry!" the young boy apologized profusely.Sage ignored the pain in her shoulder and rushed to pick up her folder."Let me see what's in the folder." Susan snatched it away before she could reach it.Sage rush
"Ian, did you agree to the divorce?" Owen asked.Ian sat on the couch with a poker face. "I don't make a habit of forcing others. I'm not going to stop her since she's so eager to be rid of me.""No! You're not allowed to get a divorce!" Susan was so furious that she tore up the divorce agreement."Hold on! That's mine!" Sage lunged for the paper, but Susan simply shredded the divorce agreement that she had worked so hard to get in the blink of an eye.Susan tossed the scraps into the trash and dragged Sage out of the office. "Let's go find your grandfather. I'd like to see if he'll allow you to do as you please this time!""I'm not going!" Sage struggled with all her might. "Stay out of this! I'll tell Grandpa myself."Owen rose to his feet. "You're coming with us, whether you like it or not! I've turned a blind eye to your antics in the past, but I can't believe you're seriously considering a divorce! How could you treat your marriage so lightly? I can't let you get away with t
Susan ordered the housekeeper to serve them coffee before settling into a chair."What's wrong, Sage?" Donald asked gently.Sage felt a lump form in her throat when she noticed her grandfather looking at her with the same indulgent and helpless expression he had whenever she got into trouble as a child. "Grandpa…" she choked out. Tears began rolling down her cheeks"Why are you crying, Sage? What happened?" Donald inquired anxiously. Then, he glared at his son. "Owen, did you do something to upset Sage?""That's unfair, Dad. How could you jump to such conclusions?" Susan couldn't help but interject. "This has nothing to do with us. It's your precious granddaughter! She wants a divorce!""Divorce?" Donald was genuinely caught off guard. He almost dropped the glass that was in his hand."Watch out, Grandpa!" Sage dashed forward to grab her grandfather's glass. Then, she placed it on the coffee table and held his hand to help him catch his breath."Stop pretending! If you don't
"Exactly. If word of their divorce gets out, who knows how many people will trample all over our family? It'll be even harder for Layla to find a good match then.""Go home. I know what I'm doing," Donald repeated when he noticed that his son and daughter-in-law weren't backing down.Noticing that his expression showed no room for negotiation, the couple left reluctantly.Sage looked at her grandfather apologetically. "I'm so sorry for worrying you, Grandpa. I know I insisted on marrying Ian, but I'm dead serious about getting a divorce. I'm not joking, and I'm not taking this lightly."Donald didn't say a word. Instead, he motioned for her to sit beside him and took her hand in his. "Sage, I know you must have your reasons for filing for divorce. But be honest with me, do you seriously not feel even an ounce of Ian's love for you?"He paused before continuing, "Let me rephrase that, have you noticed that Ian's behavior toward you has changed drastically since you guys got married
Tiana burst out into laughter when she learned that Sage hadn't gone through with the divorce. "See? I told you so! Ian wouldn't let you go that easily."Sage rolled her eyes. "Believe it or not, it has nothing to do with Ian. He kept his word and signed the divorce papers. But then, things took a surprising turn."Sage then filled Tiana in on how her aunt stumbled upon the divorce papers."Isn't that too much of a coincidence? Why were your uncle and aunt there when you went to pick up the divorce agreement?" Tiana asked."My uncle needed Ian's help to seal a deal."Even though her story sounded plausible, Tiana couldn't shake the feeling that Ian was somehow involved. "Regardless, the fact that you didn't get divorced only proves my point!""Wow. With such a wild imagination, perhaps you should quit being a nurse and become a writer instead.""Hmm… that's a great idea! I could write a novel titled 'My Clueless Best Friend Who Can't Seem to Get a Divorce'. Isn't that a great id
Sage immediately declined his call when she thought of what had happened in his office during the day. Meanwhile, Michael's ears turned red when he heard her question. "I didn't mean anything by that, Ms. Joyner. I just think it's beneficial for girls to learn some self-defense, just in case they run into trouble."Sage chuckled when she noticed his reaction. "Relax! I was just joking with you."His ears were still red as he asked, "Did I cause you a lot of trouble, Ms. Joyner?""Nope," she responded honestly. "I was mostly concerned that you would see me through rose-tinted glasses and fall for me after I helped you last time.""Don't worry, Ms. Joyner. I know where I stand. I wouldn't dare have such thoughts," he said somberly."Nonsense. That's not what I meant," she said solemnly. "Listen here, your current situation is just temporary. You're going to make it big someday and gain the support and love of a lot of people. Besides, why would you ever have those thoughts about m
Henry was an expert at leading people on. Instead of jumping at the opportunity right away, he responded coolly, "Why don't you send me the location, Sage? I'll check it out."Sage smiled. "Sure."After hanging up the phone, she sent over the name of the gym. After all, she had to get to know him better to keep track of his and Layla's progress. It would be even better if she could get him to work for her.Henry replied almost instantly. "Thanks, Sage.""You're welcome. By the way, I would appreciate it if you refrain from calling me by my name since you and Layla haven't made things official yet. You should address me as Ms. Joyner instead.""I understand, Ms. Joyner. Have a nice evening!" …Meanwhile, Ivy sat on the hospital bed with a hardened expression. Her forehead and arms were wrapped in bandages."Whoa, this ward is pretty nice. The young man of the Holcomb family seems to be treating you well," Sandra remarked as she looked around.Ignoring her comments, Ivy asked c