Chapter 15


    Ian, dressed in a dark suit, walked in. What was he doing there? His


    expression turned slightly colder when he saw Sage. He seemed to be trying hard to keep his emotions


    in check.


    Why did he look like that? Was he still mad over what had happened that morning?


    “Grandpa,” he greeted Donald politely as Sage pondered the matter.


    “You’re here, Ian. You must be hungry! Come on, join us for dinner. We were just waiting for you!”


    Donald said lovingly. “Here, sit beside Sage. You like fish sticks, don’t you? They’re by Sage’s side.”


    At that, Sage pushed the dish to the center of the table. “Sit on the opposite side.”


    “Sage, what are you doing? That’s rude.” After reprimanding Sage, Donald turned to Ian and said


    helplessly, “I’ve spoiled her rotten, Ian. She can be willful sometimes. I hope you’ll be more tolerant of


    her. Don’t bear a grudge against her. Deep down, she has a kind soul.”


    Ian didn’t refute Donald. He sat down opposite Sage and said calmly, “Got


    it, Grandpa.”


    He’d been raised to have the best manners. Even if he didn’t like Sage, he wouldn’t lose hisposure


    with Donald around. Of course, there were always exceptions to the rule.


    In Sage’s previous life, Ian had insisted on having her admitted to a mental institution for Ivy’s sake.


    Donald had tried to help her, but he’d said almost rudely, “Since you failed to raise her well, I’ll do it on


    your behalf.” o


    Sage immediately lost her appetite as she recalled the events of her previous life. She picked at her


    food as Donald and Ian chatted about the news and


    the economy.


    “Oh, right, Sage.” Donald seemed to think of something. “Remember the perfume sample that you


    madest time? Many customers loved it and


    asked me when I was gonna mass produce it!”


    “I only made that for fun, Grandpa. You know how rare the ingredients needed for that perfume are.


    How can you possibly mass produce it?”


    “Oh, yeah. I forgot about that.” Donald smiled while smacking himself on the head. “That doesn’t


    change the fact that my darling Sage is a capable woman. Don’t you think so, Ian?”


    Ian nodded, but it was more out of his respect for an elder than genuine


    agreement.


    Sage couldn’t help feeling bitter and guilty at the proud look on Donald’s face. He was deliberately


    praising her to make Ian realize how many strengths she had. Hopefully, it would make him like her


    more.


    It was too bad that Ian would only see her ws. No amount of praise orpliments would change


    that.


    They had some tea after dinner. Soon, the sky had gonepletely dark. Donald said cheerily, “Well,


    it’s gettingte, so I won’t keep you. You guys should head home and get some rest.”Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “I’m not going anywhere, Grandpa. I want to stay here for a few days and spend more time with you!”


    Sage said coquettishly.


    It had been so long since she’d seen Donald, so she wanted to apany him as much as she could:


    One day was far from enough.


    Donald tapped her on the forehead. “Oh, you. Ian came all the way here to pick you up, didn’t he? Why


    are you sticking around here instead of going home with him?”


    He turned to Ian. “I know you’re busy with work, Ian, but do drop by with Sage for a meal when you


    have the time.”


    “Got it, Grandpa.” Ian nodded politely.


    Before Sage got into the car, Donald held her hand and said lovingly, “Sage, stop fighting with Ian,


    okay? It’s always better to talk things out. You


    shouldn’t let problems fester overnight.”


    After getting into the car, Sage curled up in her seat and turned to face the


    window. Donald hadn’t believed that she and Ian hadn’t argued. He’d


    deliberately invited Ian over so that he could help smooth things out


    between them.


    Despite his age, he was still concerned about her. Earlier, to stop Donald from worrying, Sage had kept


    her tears at bay. Now, however, she couldn’t hold them back anymore.


    “Why did you turn your phone off?” Ian asked coldly. “You either run to your grandfather’s or my


    grandmother’s when you make mistakes. When will you stop causing trouble, Sage?


    “Your grandfather even said that you had a kind soul. Look at all the things you’ve done–how are any of


    them considered kind?”


    He got mad when he saw that she was staring out the window without saying a word. He dragged her


    over to him. “You


    Ian stopped abruptly. Sage’s face was wet with tears. It wasn’t like she’d never cried before–it usually


    came with a fight, though. She would rage and scream at him while crying, demanding to know why


    he’d neglected her, why he didn’t love her, why he didn’t spend time with her…


    She’d been like a child throwing a tantrum. Now, however, she wasn’t


    making any noise at all. Tears streamed down her face. Her eyes, nose, and lips were all red. There


    was a sort of fragility to her.


    For some reason, Ian suddenly felt sorry for her. He let her go and lowered his voice a little. “Don’t think


    you don’t need to bear the consequences of


    the things you’ve done by putting on a pitiful act !!


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    Sage wiped her tears. “I have two things to point out. Firstly, I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve


    such a shelling. Secondly, I’ve never been kind. Naturally, I don’t have a kind soul. I don’t need you to


    remind me of it, though!”


    “Why, you-” Ian found his earlier pity for herughable when he saw how remorseless she was. “You’re


    unbelievable, Sage. How can you pretend not to know a thing when you did something like that to Ivy?”


    “What have I done to her now?” Sage was baffled.


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