Ian just looked at Ivy impassively. He didn't reach out to take the folder. Ivy unsealed the folder and placed it in front of Ian. "Ian, I figured you wouldn't help me, so I found a friend to do it. Turns out, several of Shekdotter Incorporated's business deals were sabotaged by Giselle's brother, Marcus Rosethorn's, men."Ivy went on to say that she hadn't crossed the Rosethorns before and that Marcus agreed to help Sage deal with her family to make up for the fact that Giselle's housekeeper had drugged her."Ian, I have no idea why Sage doesn't hold a grudge against the real culprit and is instead targeting me—""Are you sure you have no idea?" Ian cut her off coldly.Ivy looked at him in confusion. "Ian, do you know what's going on?"Ian interlocked his fingers and responded impassively. "Delilah Stromberg has been following your orders all along. You had her and her father set up a deal with the Joyners and falsely accuse Maven Corporation of tax fraud. Delilah confessed eve

Sage was well aware that Wanda thought she was madly in love with Ian. Even though they had been divorced for such a long time, Wanda still believed that she was just being stubborn. Sage didn't have the energy to explain herself anymore. "Why don't you go make the peppermint and chamomile tea, Wanda? I have something to attend to, so I'll be hanging up now."As she put her phone away, a thought crossed her mind. Ivy must've gone to see Ian to talk about her father's issue. Ronald was still detained at the police station at the moment. The scandal wasn't necessarily huge. After all, people would just pay more attention to its moral implications. Knowing Ivy, Ronald wouldn't be detained for long. However, Henry had assured her that Ronald wouldn't come out of this incident unscathed this time. Plus, he wouldn't give Ronald the chance to get back on his feet. Henry had put in a lot of work dealing with the Shekdotters. After all, he wanted to bring them under his control as soon

Sage and Abby weren't close enough to gossip about each other's crushes yet. So, she smiled and said, "You're such a catch, Ms. Sutton. Whoever you fall for is lucky.""Hopefully." Abby then added sweetly, "But he doesn't know how I feel about him yet."That caught Sage off guard. "Why haven't you told him?" With her good looks and family background, there wouldn't be a man who would turn her down. Abby giggled. "It's just not the right time yet!" Then, she asked, "What about you, Ms. Joyner? You have all these suitors. Are you planning on choosing someone new or an old flame?" Sage chuckled. "I don't have space in my life for romance at the moment.""But if you had to choose between a new love and an old flame, Ms. Joyner, which would you prefer?" Abby asked with wide eyes. Without missing a beat, Sage responded, "Well, people say you shouldn't go back to your ex, so I—" Before she could finish her sentence, she felt someone's cold gaze land on her. Sage turned around and f

"Let go of me!" Sage elbowed Ian's chest and he grunted. Sage hesitated as she thought about the night in Southbend County when his wound reopened while he was protecting her. Meanwhile, Ian seized the moment and tightened his arms around her. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Don't fight me, Sage. Give me a chance…"His hoarse voice, laced with the scent of alcohol, enveloped Sage. It made her heart skip a beat.She wondered if he was behaving like this because of what she had said earlier about never going back to her ex.Her senses were overwhelmed by his presence. Uncomfortable, she pushed him away. "Let go of me.""No. If I do, you'll leave me, and I won't be able to hold you again." His voice was tinged with frustration and desperation. He buried his burning cheeks in her neck and murmured, "I miss you so much, Sage."He did miss Sage. Even though they had spent several days together in Southbend County, even though they had just seen each other a few hours ago, even though

Sage realized she was in a sorry state from the playful tone and mischievous glint in his eyes. The blouse and suit she was wearing that day had suffered during their makeup session earlier. He had ripped off several of her buttons. Not only was her bra exposed, but there were also visible bite marks on her chest. Sage realized her disheveled appearance was far more embarrassing than being held by him. She gave up and buried her head in his chest. She also tried to cover herself with his jacket. Ian chuckled as he watched her do all that. He then planted a kiss on her head and carried her into the elevator. After the doors closed, he realized something and asked in a low voice, "Which floor is your apartment on?"After she murmured the floor number, he pretended to reach out to press a button before tightening his grip on her hips. Sage could feel his erection pressing firmly against her. "Can't you think of something else?" she asked, embarrassed and angry."Well, what I wan