"Huh?" Sage was taken aback as Thomas seemed perfectly well when she and Donald bid him


    goodbye yesterday. His voice had been full of energy, but he was gone now.


    "The doctor said it was terminal lucidity," croaked Donald.


    Sage understood that losing a lifelong friend must have been crushing for Donald. She was also


    disheartened to learn that Thomas, who had spoken highly of her just the day before, was suddenly no


    longer alive. After consoling Donald, she went up to Linda. "Grandma, I''m sorry but I can''t stay the


    night. My grandfather is grieving the loss of his friend, and I need to be there for him."


    Linda replied, "Silly child. There''s nothing to apologize for. It''s only natural to want tofort your


    grandfather in his time of need. I''ll haven send you back.” Then, Linda attempted to make one of the


    maids getn.


    Sage stopped her. "Grandma, that won''t be necessary. Letn keep on with his work. I''ll hail a cab.”


    "Nonsense. It''s only fitting forn to pay his respects to Mr. Joyner Senior too."


    However, considering the distance to Donald''s home,n''s workload, and the presence of Leo, Sage


    didn''t want to inconvenience anyone. She insisted, "Grandma, it''s easier to hail a cab than maken


    make a round trip."


    Knowing that thest thing on Sage''s mind was romance, Linda did not insist. She instead suggested


    another method. "Fine. But allow our family driver to take you. It may take some time for a cab to reach


    our estate." Sage nodded in agreement.


    Half an hour into the journey, darkness enveloped the sky as the car ventured into the tranquil suburbs,


    far from the city''s hustle and bustle. Sage, who was getting some shut-eye, was jolted awake at the


    sound of a sudden crash.


    "Madam, we''ve been rear-ended. I''ll take a look," the driver announced before he got out of the car.


    Sage went out to check on the car. But as she opened the car door, someone covered her nose and


    mouth. Panicking, she attempted to break free, but her attacker was prepared.


    Not only did he pin her down with all his strength, but he also grabbed her limbs. The cloth that he


    pressed against her face might have been sprayed with chemicals. As she breathed the fumes in, her


    headache worsened, and she soon lost consciousness.


    When her eyes fluttered open, she found herself lying on the floor with her arms and legs tied up. Her


    mind raced to piece together the events leading up to her abduction—the car had been rear-ended,


    and her captor covered her nose and mouth with a cloth before whisking her away.


    Everything happened so fast. Her abductors had carried out the task with precision, which suggested a


    significant amount of nning. Forcing herself to remainposed, she started observing her


    surroundings.


    She noticed that she was in a foul-smelling, abandoned house. The paint on the walls had begun


    peeling. Although she was immobile, the abductors hadn''t gagged her. Clearly, they were not worried


    that she would call out for help.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    But who was behind her abduction? Ivy had only just yed the victim to turnn against Sage.


    Besides, Ivy was busy with the project discussion, so she likely wouldn''t have the time to n the


    abduction. Furthermore, Prisci had mentioned Benjamin being taken in for questioning by the police.


    So who was the culprit? Suddenly, the door creaked open, allowing a cold draft to sweep into the room.


    A momentter, a man approached her.