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
Shane irritably snapped, "It's all thanks to that little bitch Ian Holcomb! He wanted to send me home!"Sage guessed that Shane must have received a call from his dad and had to go home.She offered, "I'll book a car for you. You go to the airport on your own. I'm not tagging along.""Would you want to exchange two days of peace and quiet for a two-hour ride? Or do you want me to pester you for the next two days?" Shane challenged her.That was a nonquestion. Of course, Sage would go for the first. After Shane left today and Ian the day after, she could finally enjoy some peace.As Shane was busy getting his secretary to book a flight home, Sage wandered out of their lounge and found Abby playing with the cat by the potted plants. The energetic cat tried to gnaw her hand, but she patiently guided it to bite the pen she was holding instead.Abby looked attractive with her dark hair cascading down her shoulder as she crouched and gently coaxed the tiny cat.Suddenly, the cat flu
Shane's question was pointless. Of course, Sage wouldn't know. She even asked him a few times about his hostility toward Ian, but he skilfully dodged her question. Did he plan to tell her now?Curious, she questioned, "Why?""If you're curious, come sit at the back of the car. It'll be easier to talk," Shane suggested nonchalantly.Without hesitation, she joined him at the back of the car, as she was very curious about the beef between the two men.Besides, there was a chauffeur present. Shane wouldn't dare pull anything funny on her. Anyway, even without the chauffeur, she knew him well enough to understand that he wouldn't lay a finger on her.Soon, Shane joined her in the backseat. He closed the car door and snapped a photo of her. Then, he sent the photo to someone along with a voice message. "See, Mr. Holcomb? Sage is seeing me off at the airport. She's even sitting beside me in the car. You lost to me!"Sage finally realized the reason Shane brought up his grudge against
"Ian Holcomb will be very disappointed if you leave in the middle of This carefully planned trip," Shane mused.Sage merely rolled her eyes. "Ian is here to see a doctor. We have different itineraries. I'm not going home yet."Shane let out a scoff. "Yeah, sure. Sage Joyner, keep lying to yourself."Then, he entered the departure hall without looking back. It might have been an illusion, but Sage sensed a hint of dejection when he walked away.She shook off the thought, cautioning herself not to attach too much meaning to that drama queen's actions.Later, she instructed the chauffeur to send her to the hotel. Before returning to her room, she reminded the front desk not to permit access to her room to anyone. Ian might appear to have turned over a new leaf, but she no longer trusted him.Back in her room, she made sure to secure all the locks. Sage enjoyed a good night's sleep. The next morning, she woke up early, got dressed, and headed to the hotel's restaurant for breakfast.