Chapter 103



Kallie’s last glimmer of hope for Jake was now shattered, just like the sculpture. Yet, the ordeal wasn’t over.

Kallie and Ethan had just descended the stairs when they were met by an onslaught of media.

The media were supposed to be at the exhibition. However, rumors of someone tumbling down the stairs had transformed the scene into a media frenzy.

Kallie found herself pondering how the news had spread so swiftly. Was this Jake’s way of getting back at her?

However, now was not the time for such thoughts. Ethan swiftly shed his coat and draped it over Kallie’s shoulders.

Kallie shook her head emphatically, pushing the coat away. She gestured that she was nobody, and she wouldn’t be affected much even if she got captured by their cameras. He, however, was a different case due to his status, likely drawing media criticism against him.

Ethan offered a comforting smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll clear my name. But it’s crucial you stay out of this mess.”

The moment Kallie and Ethan stepped outside, they were swamped by reporters.

Despite the unclear circumstances, the mere presence of Kallie and Ethan prompted a barrage of inquiries.

“Are you two students here? Can you tell us what just happened inside? Was there a disagreement that led to the girl falling down the stairs?”

“Is the girl who fell connected to you in any way?”

“Did this incident stem from a romantic dispute?”

Ethan seized the moment to usher Kallie into the crowd.

Reluctantly accepting Ethan’s well-meaning gesture, Kallie used her slim figure to weave through the crowd, effectively eluding the reporters who then turned their cameras toward Ethan.

Ethan addressed the reporters with a poker face, “Firstly, I’m not a student here. Secondly, we know the girl, but I can’t explain her fall. Thirdly, if there are any concerns, I urge you to contact the police. Badgering someone like me, who’s just a bystander, won’t help you uncover anything.”

Having faced such situations before, Ethan navigated the onslaught of questions with seasoned ease, swiftly resolving the matter.

Meanwhile, Linsey and Irene caught up with Kallie.

Aware of the incident with Sarah, Linsey and Irene chose not to bombard Kallie with questions. Instead, they encircled her, offering comfort and inquiring about her well-being.

A warmth blossomed in Kallie’s heart, thawing her chilled limbs and imbuing her with a comforting sense of belonging.

Once calmed down, Kallie typed out the event in detail, her phone articulating her account with the text-to-speech function. “I was on my way out when Sarah called out to me from behind. The next thing I knew, she fell down the stairs. At that time, I didn’t dwell on it and assumed perhaps she was unwell. Before she fell, I felt something amiss, as if something was rushing my way, so I clung tightly to the railing, pressing myself against it. It all occurred so swiftly, and I didn’t react to pull her back when she was teetering on the edge. Now, I regret not reacting quicker since I might have prevented her fall.”

Despite her troubled history with Sarah, Kallie harbored no ill will toward her and was genuinely unsettled by the incident.

She recalled her loss of voice was accidental. Nobody wanted misfortune in their lives.

It was clear that Sarah had taken a severe fall, possibly marring her appearance.

Sarah always prided herself on her beauty. How could she come to terms with such a change?

Kallie felt a slight pity for Sarah, but not real sympathy.

Irene, on the other hand, furrowed her brow and pressed Kallie to recount the incident more specifically.

Confused yet obliging, Kallie strained to recollect the details and even acted out the scene for Irene, with Linsey’s cooperation.

Irene’s face immediately took on a grave expression. She drew Kallie to the side and spoke in a hushed tone.

“I have a suspicion. Sarah’s fall wasn’t just an accident. It’s possible she intended to push you down, but in the process, she fell instead, likely due to her failure to anticipate your timely reaction.”

Kallie was skeptical and deeply unnerved. She and Sarah certainly had their differences, but to the extent of attempted murder? It seemed too extreme.

Irene tightened her hold on Kallie’s hand. “These are only guesses, but they might well be true. Why else would she fall? If my theory holds, once Sarah regains consciousness, she’s likely to pin the whole affair on you.”

“Kallie, you…” Irene’s voice trailed off, a hint of hesitation coloring her tone.

Kallie noticed the concern etched on Irene’s face and offered a comforting smile in response. She gestured that she would handle what came her way.

Exhaling softly, Irene found little solace in the reassurance.

Due to unforeseen events, the exhibition was abruptly halted, and for the moment, all they could do was return home.

Once home, Kallie found herself unable to dismiss the conversation with Irene. Her thoughts were in chaos as she kept one eye on the news, hoping for some update.

However, nothing new surfaced. Kallie decided her next step would be to wait for Donovan to complete his current task so she could request the surveillance footage from the stairwell.

Deep into the night, a sudden, insistent knocking startled Kallie awake.

With a mix of fear and caution, Kallie rose from her bed and approached the door. Unable to speak, she resorted to typing a message on her phone.

Then, a familiar voice called from the other side. “Kallie, open the door.”

It was none other than Jake. His voice carried a chill, hinting at his foul mood.

Kallie hesitated, aware of his agitation over Sarah’s fall. He was likely here seeking answers.

As she paused, he spoke again, “I know you’re right behind the door. Open up soon, or I’ll make my own way in.”

With no other options, Kallie opened the door.

Jake entered, his coat adding to his tall, imposing figure.

The cold from outside seemed to cling to him.

As he passed by, Kallie shivered involuntarily.

Jake’s eyes met hers, his look frosty.

Kallie quickly began to gesture that she had no idea why Sarah fell and had nothing to do with it.

Jake’s lips tightened. After a pause, he responded, surprising Kallie with his words. “I know you didn’t push her. It was Ethan. He’s always disliked Sarah, and in the midst of their argument, he pushed her down by accident. This isn’t your fault, but you need to come with me to apologize to Sarah. It all began because of your involvement.”

Kallie’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her movements quickened without her intending them to. She hastily gestured that it wasn’t Ethan. He wasn’t there when the fall happened and only arrived after Sarah had already fallen to the ground.

Jake took a deep breath, his demeanor shifting suddenly as he grasped Kallie’s hand and drew her close.

His intense gaze bore into her, his eyes a turbulent sea of emotions that Kallie found impenetrable.

Jake’s voice was low and confrontational. “If it wasn’t him, are you suggesting it was you?”

A clarity pierced Kallie’s anxious and muddled thoughts, and her heart swelled with indignation. So, that was why Jake accused Ethan.

She fought back tears, her hands trembling as she signed, her gestures practically yelling, “You don’t trust me and believe I did it, but you’re worried about how it would look if that got out. So, you’re shifting the blame to Ethan, aren’t you? And yet, you expect me to apologize to Sarah. But Jake, you know who I am. I would never do such a thing.”

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