Chapter 16

“See it for yourself!” Ian threw his phone at Sage.

She picked it up to see some surveillance footage. It looked like it had been taken in a basement

parking lot. Two men in masks and caps were sneakily peering around a corner.

Soon, Ivy arrived at the parking lot. She’d just unlocked the car when the two men charged at her. One

of them clamped a hand over her mouth and-” subdued her while the other opened the door. They

stuffed her into the back seat before speeding off.

“Where was Ms. Shekdotter taken to? Have you found her yet?”

Ian suppressed his rage when he saw how serious Sage looked. He said, The security guards on duty

noticed that something was wrong and stopped the two men after they forced her into the car.”

Sage chuckled. “How interesting. Those two men went all the way there to abduct her, yet chose to

wait somewhere where the surveillance cameras would catch them. That would only make it all the

more easier for people to notice them, right?”

“What’s with that attitude of yours?” Ian was angry now. “When the

security guards saved Ivy from the car, her mouth had been taped shut, and her limbs were bound. If

not for the security guards noticing in time, who knows what could’ve happened?”

As he spoke, he pulled out a few photos and flung them at Sage. “The two

men admitted that a woman gave them some money and a photo before telling them what to do.

“On your way to your grandfather’s home, the driver stopped at the gas station while you went into the

store. Those two men were there, too. Could things really be that coincidental?”

Sure enough, there were two men in the photos. They both wore caps, and their figures were similar to

the men captured in the surveillance footage. They’d appeared at the store at the same time that she

was.

Sage had only gone in there to get something to eat because she’d skipped breakfast. She hadn’t paid

attention to her surroundings at all. She never would’ve expected Ivy to use this against her and frame

her with a so–called abduction.

“It was bad enough that you insulted Ivy this morning. How could you arrange for someone to abduct

her later in the day? Don’t you think you should explain yourself?” Ian snarled.

Sage found this laughable. “What do you think I am, a fortune teller? Or do you think I have ESP or

something? How would I know that those men would be there so I could hire them to abduct Ivy?”

“They’re unemployed vagrants who would do anything for money, and the idea came to you just like

that. I don’t see anything wrong with my logic.”

Sage couldn’t believe his “logic“. She said in exasperation, “Call the cops, then! Have them handle

this!”

“You already knew Ivy wasn’t pressing charges and had let the men off the hook. That’s why you’re so

calm when talking about getting the cops involved.” Ian looked grim. “I can overlook you being willful

and kicking up fusses, but I never would’ve expected you to have the nerve to order an

abduction.

“Even if Ivy doesn’t want to take things further, you have to apologize to

her!”

“And what if I don’t?” Sage asked.

“I’ll let your grandfather know about this, then. I’ll have him handle this.”

“You bastard!”

Ian’s expression darkened. “Are you going to apologize or not?”

Whatever.” Sage gave in. There was no way she would allow Donald to see these things and worry

about her. Besides, she also wanted to see what

exactly Ivy was up to.

Under Ian’s instructions, the driver took them to Ivy’s apartment. It was located in a high–end

neighborhood. Rumor had it that Holcomb Corporation gave all of its senior executives units there.

Sage said, “Tell me which floor and unit it is. I’ll head upstairs alone.”

At Ian’s doubtful gaze, she sneered and continued, “What? We’re already here. Do you think I’m gonna

run? Do you want to keep an eye on me?”

Ian was still suspicious of her. “All you need to do is apologize. Don’t try to pull anything funny.”

Sage snorted. “Since you have so little trust in me, you can call my phone and listen to the

conversation from there!”

Ian agreed with her suggestion. Meanwhile, Sage sneered to herself. She’d insisted on heading

upstairs alone so she could make Ivy put down her guard. Then, she could take the opportunity to

wheedle information out of her. Or better yet, she could aggravate Ivy into exposing herself.

Her original plan had been to record the conversation, but Ian’s agreement to listen through the phone

made things much easier.

To make it seem like she was being sincere, Sage bought some fruits at the store downstairs. Then,

she headed upstairs to Ivy’s apartment. There, she

found that the door wasn’t shut properly.

“I’m busy, okay? Don’t come here if it’s not about anything important!” Ivy’s voice was much sterner

than it usually was.

Sage peeped inside. A somewhat burly woman stood with her back to the door. She held some

indiscernible boxes, looking like she wanted to give

them to Ivy.

“I don’t need these things. Take them back,” Ivy said.

Sage was about to knock on the door and apologize for the interruption when the woman said, “I’m out

of ideas, Ivy. Could you just lend me a hand?

When Sage heard her voice, her heart stopped for a second. Her hand froze in mid–air. Still, Ivy and

the woman heard her. They turned to look at her.

When the woman’s face came into full view, Sage stiffened. Her breathing. sped up, and her scalp

tingled. Her blood ran cold.

“Mrs. Holcomb, what are you-” Ivy suddenly screamed. Sage had charged forward and flung the fruits

at her head.

Then, while Ivy was still screaming, Sage clamped her hands around her throat. Her eyes were red

with rage.

“Sage…” Ivy’s face was red from Sage’s strangling. She flailed as she tried to break free, but Sage

seemed to be possessed. She refused to let Ivy go.

“Have you lost your mind, Sage? What the fuck are you doing?” Ivy’s eyes. were rolling into the back of

her head when a hand grabbed Sage and

dragged her away.

Sage staggered backward, falling to the floor. She didn’t get to her feet, nor did she care who the

newcomer was. Instead, she trembled and started laughing. She looked possessed.