The hall was abuzz with speculation and shock at Ian's bid. Previously, the bidders had merely increased their bids by small increments, but Ian had immediately doubled Abby's.Someone surmised, "Why would Mr. Holcomb attempt to outbid Ms. Sutton, especially knowing her interest in the brooch? Is he planning to win the bid and gift her the brooch to woo her?""I heard the Suttons are interested in a project in Haldon City, and they intend to discuss a partnership with Holcomb Corporation. It makes sense for Mr. Holcomb to display his earnestness toward his potential business partners."Were the Suttons debating on a business partnership with the Holcombs? Sage could not recall this event happening in her past life.Observing her silence, Michael leaned in and whispered, "Ms. Joyner, please disregard the speculations. I think he bid on the brooch for you."Sage smiled gratefully at him. "That's kind of you, but you don't have to comfort me. He has the freedom to give the brooch to
Ian frowned when he noticed his father with Ivy. In contrast, Calvin enthusiastically greeted Leo. "Leo, you're back in the country! I haven't seen you in a while. You haven't aged a day!"Leo carelessly nodded at Calvin to acknowledge the latter's ingratiating remark. He then said, "Calvin, please leave for now. I need to have a chat with Ian."Calvin understood that he should excuse himself. "Alright, Leo! I'll leave now. Let me know when you're free, and I'll throw you a welcome home party!"After Calvin left, Leo marched into Ian's office while Ivy stood frozen at the door. She cast a timid glance at Ian.Leo urged her, "Ivy, come on in. Why are you still at the door?" She hurriedly obliged.Ian frowned. "Dad, why are you back in the country?"Leo growled at him, "If I don't, you might send Shekdotter Inc. into Sage Joyner's hands and let her do whatever she wants with it!"Looking composed, Ian said, "You're overreacting. I have not interfered in Shekdotter Inc.'s matters."
Ian shot her an unemotional look. "What more do you want to say to me?"Still as gentle as usual, she did not fluster under his imposing attitude. She casually took a seat on the couch and began, "Ian, I told you that I was not capable of looking into the Strombergs alone, let alone meddle with the Joyners' business affairs."Ian's expression remained stoic. Under his frosty gaze, she chuckled. "Ian, you don't seem surprised. Did you know about it?"Right. You must have looked into the matter judging from how much you care about Sage. If that's the case, then trust me when I say I didn't comply willingly. I did it on your father's request.""Why did he ask you to carry it out, and why did you accept his request?" Ian questioned.She shook her head. "I have no idea. I tried asking him a few times, but he told me to keep out of it."She added, "Ian, Dad and I owe your father a favor. I have no choice but to do anything he requests. You knew it but never called us out. Is it because
Ivy's questioning was making Ian lose his patience. "I don't care what your reasons behind it were. You still did it! Do you think you can sweep this under the carpet just by saying you had no choice?" said Ian. Watching Ian's icy expression, Ivy suddenly laughed maniacally. "That's right! I did it! If you really have feelings for Sage, how could you hate her just because of something someone else said? How could I have ruined your relationship if it wasn't already weak in the first place?"I just made Delilah humiliate me a few times, but you believed that Sage was the one behind it! It was also your decision to keep me company at the hospital when I was injured! "Ian, you're the one who hates Sage, and you're the one who's being heartless to her. What have I done wrong? My actions cannot hurt her. Do you really think you can pin all the blame and fault on me?" Ivy mocked. Ian was stunned, and he suddenly found it hard to breathe. He couldn't help but think of that day in S
"Ms. Joyner, I went to see Ronald Shekdotter at the hospital earlier. He seems to be in a lively mood although his legs aren't doing well. "He even showed off that nobody could take advantage of him now that Ian Holcomb's father is back. Will the Shekdotters take this chance to rise again?" asked Henry worriedly.Henry couldn't wait to drive the Shekdotters' company into the ground and take it over. He had been very close to realizing this wish before Leo Holcomb came into the picture."Have you managed to get the Shekdotters involved in that overseas project?" asked Sage."Now that something's happened to Ronald, and Ivy is being investigated by the police, the project hasn't been approved because the person in charge doesn't want to get so involved," said Henry."Give a harder push now that the situation is stable," said Sage.If Ivy could ruin the Joyners this way, then Sage could do the same and make sure that the Shekdotters never recovered. Sage headed to the gymnasium a
Wilson frowned at his mother's imposing tone and said, "Didn't you hear what Dr. Gates said? We're just colleagues. Besides, I just got divorced, and I have no plans to remarry."Wendy looked obviously displeased, but she didn't say anything more because Lana was present. She asked Wilson to stay back after Lana left after dinner. "Wilson, why did you say that? What do you mean you have no plans to remarry? Don't tell me you'll stay single for life. Can't you see that Lana likes you and that she wants to reconcile with you?" asked Wendy."No. We're just colleagues and nothing more," said Wilson."Are you trying to piss me off? You never dated although you and Lana have broken up for so many years. Weren't you waiting for her? She's already come back to your hospital voluntarily. Why are you still playing hard to get?" demanded Wendy."I wasn't waiting for her. We broke up on good terms because of our studies and future paths. I never dated for all these years because I just didn'
Tiana was as bright and cheerful as always, just like the day they first met at the cafe. Wilson had faced the divorce calmly and hadn't even let it affect his work. He slept and woke up as usual every day and went to work punctually.However, he started losing calm after telling his mom that he had married Tiana because he loved her. It was as if some emotions had been let out from his heart and were calling out to him relentlessly. After drawing lots, it was decided that Tiana's team would play first. They were going against a strong opposing team. On the court, Tiana played hard and worked extremely well with her teammates.She played especially closely with a good-looking man. They would cheer and high-five each other every time their team scored.It was Wilson's first time seeing Tiana so confident and outstanding. To him, she was the star of the entire game. The match finished half an hour later and Tiana's team won by a good few points. "Tiana, you're so cool! You're
Tiana looked up and asked, "Is there anything else, Dr. Wilson?"Tiana looked as if she were talking to a stranger. There was none of her past excitement in her eyes when she looked at him. Wilson felt an ache in his heart. "I took a few days off work because I hurt my hand. Are you free to watch a play with me in the city?" Tiana still did not ask him how he had hurt his hand. She merely said, "I'm very busy."Wilson would usually stop talking in a situation like that, but he didn't want Tiana to leave just like that. He added, "It's that play that you like—The Handmaiden. The actors are also famous…""Dr. Wilson, actually, I don't like to watch plays. I only pretended to like plays just to go with you. I prefer hiking or cafe hopping to sitting in a theater for a few hours. "That's why your mom is right. An uneducated person like me only has lame hobbies. You'd better ask someone from your world to watch the play with you," said Tiana. Then, she turned around and headed