Chapter 40

“Good evening, Grandma and everyone,” Ian greeted gracefully.

“Ian, you’re truly dutiful. You always come to accompany your grandmother, unlike those ungrateful

brats in our family who always say they’re busy as an excuse not to show up!”

“No kidding! Can anyone be busier than Ian? He runs such a huge corporation. and still manages to

make time. I think our grandchildren simply find us

bothersome!”

“Alas, lan never disappoints. He is both capable and respectful. Mrs. Holcomb

Senior is blessed!”

As he listened to the aunts‘ praises, Ian wore a subtle smile. Glancing at Sage, he calmly said, “You all

are too kind. I don’t have much time to be with Grandma regularly. It’s my Sage who spends more time

with her.”

Hearing “my Sage” coming from Ian’s mouth made Sage think she was hearing things. Even during

social niceties, he had never addressed her like that before!

Sage stared at Ian while trying to read his face. However, his expression. remained impassive, like

nothing happened.

Meanwhile, Linda discreetly observed both of their expressions. She turned to Ian and said, “You’re a

sensible boy. It’s good that you know Sage’s virtues!”

“Yes, Sage is a dutiful child as well! And she’s beautiful. She’s a perfect match for Ian!”

The women continued to shower Sage with compliments. In the midst of the flattering, several other of

Ian’s relatives approached him for a talk.

Acting like a considerate husband, Ian turned to Sage and said, “You stay with Grandma for a while; I’ll

join you shortly.”

Sage played along by offering a gracious smile. “Okay.”

“Sage and Ian seem to be growing closer!” one of the aunts from Sage’s family remarked. “Sage, when

are you two planning to have children? Let’s expand the

family! Grandma, what do you think?”

Linda chuckled at that. “No rush. Sage is still young. When she wants to have

children, she will naturally. I’m not that old–fashioned that I would urge for great -grandchildren!”

After a few more light–hearted conversations, Linda expressed her desire to take a stroll in the garden,

and Sage volunteered to accompany her.

After helping Linda up, Sage walked with her to the garden.

“Sage, it’s been many days since you contacted me. Do you not want your grandma anymore?” Linda

scolded playfully.

“Grandma, what are you saying?” Sage pouted. “I’ve said it before; even if I divorce Ian, you’ll still be

my grandma!”

Linda playfully tapped Sage’s head and chided, “A couple should quarrel and make up in bed. Did you

eat the corn chowder I had someone send you last time?”

When she recalled the last incident, Sage felt a tingling sensation on her lips. Grandma, please don’t

do that again. We haven’t done anything, and it caused quite a bit of unpleasantness.”

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“It must be that brat’s fault again!” Linda shook her head in frustration. “Sage, I can see that Ian is

starting to care about you. Aren’t you thinking of changing your mind?”

Sage shook her head. They had just put on a facade for the elders.

She said in a serious tone, “Grandma, I know you suggested postponing the divorce until after your

birthday to give us some time to cool off. But we don’t

need it.

“I insisted on this marriage. No matter how much time passes, lan won’t change his views on me. I

don’t want to tie him down anymore either.”

Linda held Sage’s hand and responded earnestly, “Sage, Ian has always been a determined person. If

he truly didn’t want to marry you, I can’t have forced him in the first place.”

Sage picked out the meaning behind Linda’s words, yet she refused to deceive herself. “Linda, you

don’t have to comfort me. I’m well aware of Ian’s attitude.”

Leaving aside the fact that Ian still despised her, she couldn’t allow herself to harbor illusions about him

any longer, even if there were a genuine change in his feelings.

She did not want to interfere with the tacit understanding and emotions between him and Ivy again in

this lifetime.

When she saw Sage’s determined expression, Linda refrained from further persuasion. Clearly, Sage

had experienced enough heartache and disappointment

to make such a resolute decision.

Linda only hoped that Ian would quickly realize the truth and mend Sage’s heart.

In the leisure area of the private room, a group of women discussed their children.

“My son’s birthday is approaching, and he mentioned that Gentlemen’s Style’s high–end clothes are

good. The store sent me a link with several styles; could you

all take a look for me?”

One of them pulled out a tablet, and everyone leaned in to see.

Ian happened to pass by and glanced at the screen.

“Ian, you have great taste in fashion. Could you help me decide?” the woman

asked.

When everyone expected Ián to decline, he surprised them by picking up the tablet. He browsed

through the new arrivals on the homepage and then checked. the price range.

Ultimately, he filtered the selection under 30 grand and chose a ready–made suit.

priced at 28,800 dollars. It was a rather casual black suit.

“Ian, I may not be as wealthy as you, but I can afford more than that,” the

woman said with a smile.

Jan chuckled and returned to the homepage. He pointed at a custom–made suit worth a million dollars.

“This one looks good to me.”

“Oh, indeed! It’s elegant and stylish. Come and take a look, everyone!”

As the women gathered, fan handed back the tablet and walked toward the garden outside.

At this moment, Linda was seated on a wooden chair while Sage was taking photos of her. “Maintain

that smile. Perfect! Grandma, you look beautiful as always!”

Linda beamed at the compliment. She cooperated with Sage by tilting her head left and right in various

poses.

Ian always knew that Sage was good at winning Linda’s favor. He had thought it was through sweet

talk and flattery, but now it seemed he had underestimated

her.

Despite Sage’s usual irrational behavior, her sincerity toward Linda was

undeniable.

“Ian, why are you standing there? Come and take photos with us!” Linda spotted

him and called out.

Sage also turned toward Jan. Her bright smile faded a little upon seeing him. However, she quickly

ignored him and continued taking photos of Linda.

Feeling a twinge of dissatisfaction, Ian noticed that Sage’s attitude toward him had worsened lately. In

the past, even without Linda’s prompting, she would joyfully run toward him and be eager to share the

photos she had taken.

He had even given her a black card for her shopping spree. Why was she still acting so strangely?

“Why do women hold onto grudges?” Ian felt frustrated and sent a message to Calvin Luther, who

claimed to understand women best.

Calvin replied almost instantly, “Who? What kind of woman is she? Ian, are you. looking for a side

chick?”

Ian couldn’t be bothered to entertain Calvin’s nonsense and approached Linda.

Linda called Sage over and instructed lan to take pictures. “Go, take some beautiful shots for me and

Sage.”

Ian took the camera and snapped a few shots.

Linda then said, “Sage, the scenery there is beautiful. Stand there and let Ian take

a photo of you.”