Chapter 144

“We’re both granddaughters of the Joyners, but you have it better than me in terms of food, clothing,

and even living expenses. Grandpa only spoils you and not me! I’m only asking you for a small favor,

but here you are dragging your feet!”

Indeed, Donald favored her more. Sage understood that this affection stemmed from his pity for her

lack of paternal love. However, if she and Layla had a dispute, Donald was always rational and never

blindly favored her.

Susan’s influence on Layla was too significant, which led to her deeply held resentment toward Sage.

Unable to clarify these matters with Layla for the time being, Sage said, “I’ll send it to you in a minute.”

“You didn’t seem interested in Henry at all the last time I saw you. How come you two are getting along

so well now?” Sage couldn’t help but ask Layla.

“Mind your own business!” Layla yelled and hung up.

Sage was rendered speechless. After sending the screenshot to Layla, she left the sports complex. As

she got into the car, she felt like someone was watching her

from behind.

She glanced around but didn’t see anyone suspicious. She assumed that it was just her imagination, so

she brushed the thought aside and drove off.

Wanda hastily ran over and said, “Mrs. Holcomb, Mr. Holcomb is back and upstairs working in his

study. I just brewed some tea. Could you please take the tea up to him?

“Mr. Holcomb also complained about the pain in his hand and asked me to bring him some ointment.

Mrs. Holcomb, could you help him with this as well?

“Oh, by the way, Mr. Holcomb asked me just now when you’d be back.”

Afraid that Wanda would continue nagging if she didn’t agree, Sage took the tea and ointment from her.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

door.

Ian’s clear voice rang out from inside. “Come in.”

She pushed open the door and saw him flipping through some documents at a spacious desk. There

was a laptop open in front of him. With his brows furrowed, he looked serious and stern while exuding

an air of professionalism.

Thinking that she was Wanda, lan instructed without raising his head, “Just put

them down here.”

Following his orders, Sage placed the tea and ointment beside him. Noticing that the person next to

him wasn’t Wanda, he looked up. Upon seeing her, a hint of surprise appeared in his dark eyes.

“Back already?” he asked casually. It used to be her asking him this question.

She averted her gaze and replied, “Wanda’s busy, so she asked me to bring these

up to you.”

“Perfect timing. Can you help me apply the ointment?” he asked, extending his right hand toward her.

His once pale skin was now peeling, wrinkled, and somewhat unsightly.

“Haven’t you been applying the ointment for the past two days?” she said while wrinkling her nose.

Annoyed, he let out a cold laugh and said, “Drop that disgusted expression of yours. Think about who

I’m enduring this for.”

Sage didn’t want to dwell on that night’s events, so she said nothing and used a cotton swab to apply

the medicine.

After she was done, Ian resumed his work. Meanwhile, she threw away the cotton swab, tightened the

cap of the ointment, and hung around. She wasn’t in a rush

to leave.

This was how she used to be. She used to find excuses to stay in his study. Even if he asked her to

leave, she wouldn’t get angry.

Instead, she would boldly suggest, “Ian, you’ve been reading those documents

2.3

for so long. Let me give you a shoulder massage!”

If he rejected her, although she would only feel a little disheartened, she almost always instantly came

up with a new proposal.

“Then how about having some tea? It can refresh your mind!”

Only when he frowned and urged her to leave would she reluctantly depart.

In the past, Ian would find this kind of behavior from her particularly annoying. But now, seeing her

dawdling and not leaving, he surprisingly didn’t feel repulsed. Instead, he was rather happy.