Besides, Henry had "rescued" Layla in Damsburg, and he was working to gain her trust according to plan. Sage believed that he would manage to get hired at Shekdotter Inc. when he returned to Haldon City. Meanwhile, Sandra had moved into Ivy's house as her housekeeper. Everything was going according to plan, and Shekdotter Inc. would soon fall into ruin. Ivy would finally get what she deserved. …Soon, they arrived at the airport. The driver parked the car and carried their luggage to the VIP lounge.While they were checking in, Sage received a call from Zachary. It couldn't be Ivy targeting the Joyners because her own business had taken a hit, could it?"What's up, Zack?" said Sage."Have you read the information I sent you about the customized perfume a few days ago? Any ideas?"So this was what the call was about. Sage said, "I have some ideas, but I can only fully understand the client's preferences after I meet him."Zachary told her that the client had asked for her av
Sage looked up and spotted Ian up ahead. As usual, he was dressed in a black suit with a dark-colored shirt underneath. His expression was icy as he stared at her and Shane. What was Ian doing here?He hadn't mentioned that he would be at the airport when she called him about Delilah yesterday. Suddenly, she remembered that he had asked her to accompany him to Southbend County to see a doctor at the hotel a few days ago. Could they coincidentally be heading to the same destination on the same flight? "What a coincidence, Mr. Holcomb. Are you going to Southbend County too?" said Shane in a playful tone.Ian ignored him and strode over to Sage. "Didn't you say you were busy today?" he asked. Sage looked at him skeptically and asked, "Did you book the same flight on purpose because you knew I was going to Southbend County today?"The three of them just kept asking questions with nobody answering any. It was very strange. Other people at the boarding gate couldn't help but sta
Shane strode toward Sage. Meanwhile, Ian kept his gaze fixed on her as if he was hoping she would say something. Without a word, Sage took her bag from Shane and walked away from the scene. "Why are you walking so fast?" Shane went after her. Ian was left standing there alone. However, Sage couldn't avoid him because he was also flying business class. A moment after Sage took her seat, Ian appeared a few steps away. There were very few seats in first class, so Sage couldn't switch to another seat. Besides, Shane was sitting next to her. Not wanting to talk to Ian, Sage lowered the back of her seat and slept. The flight to Southbend County was only two hours, so they already arrived just as Sage was waking up. She was met with a look of displeasure from Shane when she looked up. "Sage, I upgraded your seat to first class so we could discuss business, but you just slept throughout the flight," he said. Sage stretched and said, "Sorry, but I already told you that I'm on leav
Sage was reminded of Ian's pattern of behavior when she was dining out with Shane a couple of times. Each time, he'd come up with various excuses to keep Shane away. Perhaps, he was pulling the same trick again.Regardless, she never planned to visit the wildlife conservation center with Shane anyway and was therefore secretly glad that Ian had helped keep Shane away."Is that your brother over the phone? Why don't you head home?" Sage gently advised him. "You can always go for the site visit a few days later."The caller, who had likely overheard her voice, added sternly, "Shane Morrison, you're getting more defiant nowadays. How could you abandon your dad over a woman?""Yeah, I'm defiant. So what? You'd better not have any high hopes for me!" Shane irritably hung up on his brother.When Sage attempted to talk him into going home, Shane saw through her ulterior motive. He said coldly, "Sage Joyner, are you sending me away so you can enjoy some private time with Ian Holcomb? Drea
When Sage requested a new room, the front desk staff informed her that all the rooms were booked out.She checked the time in disbelief. "But it's not even nighttime. Do you run out of rooms this early?"The front desk staff explained that their rooms were popular online due to the hotel's proximity to the wildlife conservation center. Their rooms were fully booked daily.Sage reluctantly returned the ID to Shane. She suggested, "Why don't you find yourself another hotel?"Refusing to accept the ID, he insisted, "I'm tired. I'm not looking for another hotel. But I can put up with crashing in your room for a night.""Absolutely not. First of all, you're not tired. Besides, I refuse to accommodate your unreasonable request." With that, she tossed the ID to him.He caught the ID and relented, saying that he would stay at a different hotel if she could find an available room for him.Feeling doubtful, she nonetheless called up the hotels nearby to inquire about their availability. T
Despite not saying a word, Ian clearly did not recall Abby from his lack of response. However, Abby didn't seem to mind. Smiling, she reintroduced herself, "I'm Abby Sutton. We met at a dinner party at Yremdale a year ago. You were chatting with my dad when I accidentally bumped into you and spilled my wine all over your suit."Ian frowned for a while before recalling the incident. "Oh! Are you Dale Sutton's daughter?"She purred, "Looks like my dad is more famous than I am. It's fine, though, as long as you remember me now."Then, she changed the topic. "Mr. Holcomb, do you need more rooms? I booked two rooms. I can give you one!"Although Abby sounded pampered, she wasn't the annoying type. She had sweet looks and a petite frame, which hinted at a need for protection."Ms. Sutton, would you be short of a room if you give it to us? There must be a reason you booked two rooms," questioned Sage.Abby chuckled. "It's fine! I booked two rooms in case Thorn might not want to stay i
"Still better than you!" Shane deliberately took a jab at Ian. "She wouldn't have insisted on divorcing you if she didn't think I was a better choice!"Shane had hit Ian where it hurt. Ian's expression immediately shifted.Throughout the exchange, Sage pretended that she didn't hear them. She asked Abby, "Shall we sit at another table?"Abby, looking excited, replied, "It's fine! I think it's merrier to have dinner together!"Speechless, Sage knew that Abby relished in the gossip.Although the atmosphere was rather awkward, they managed to order dinner without much issue. Since Abby couldn't take spicy foods, they considered her preference when ordering.Soon, a feast was laid out for the table of four, and they dug in.Abby had a small appetite, so it didn't take long before she felt full. Since Thorn was making a fuss, she quickly left the restaurant to play with it, leaving Sage with the two men.Sage felt a rising tension when surrounded by Shane and Ian. Although Ian wasn'
Once again, Sage felt the change in Ian. Not once had he forcefully dragged her home at the airport, on the flight, or at the hotel lobby, even though he was upset to see her with Shane.Moreover, not only did he promise to win her back, but he also promised to treat her right, something he had never done before. He seemed determined to do so too, judging from the earnest look in his eyes.She would have hesitated and reconsidered getting back with him in her past life, or at the beginning of her rebirth. However, this time, she simply rejected him numbly. "No."His eyes were filled with disappointment. "Dear Sage, why do you have to be so determined?""Stop addressing me that way like we're close," she jeered at him. "Ian Holcomb, do you know what upsets me the most?"He replied with a tinge of guilt in his tone, "I know, Sage. I'll give you an explanation."No. He couldn't possibly know. Shaking her head, she remarked, "I don't need an explanation from you. Just stay away from