Chapter 111



Hazel trembled, her fear of Jake’s imposing presence palpable. She glared at Sarah’s smug expression, ready to speak, but before she could, Kallie stepped in front of her, gesturing firmly that she had seen Hazel being pushed down.

It was all very chaotic, and the involved individuals might not have realized what had happened. She added that she caught sight of Sarah and Hazel arguing on the stairs, and the next thing, Hazel was tumbling down.

Jake’s face twisted into a frown, a hint of disapproval etching his features. “So, you’re not even sure of what exactly happened, and you jumped to the conclusion that Sarah pushed her? Kallie, since when did you start jumping to conclusions?”

Sarah blinked, the picture of innocence and sorrow, as she clung to Jake, stirring the pot. “Jake, without your intervention, I would’ve been wrongly accused today. I’ve suffered enough already in front of Kallie. What more does she want from me?”

Jake ignored Sarah, his eyes icy as they met Kallie’s. Kallie lifted her chin defiantly, holding Jake’s gaze. She opted against using sign language, choosing to let her phone articulate her response just for Sarah to hear: “I did it intentionally. I wanted to make a point. Now you see, not everything you hear is true. Sarah was quick to blame Ethan and me for pushing her down, and you believed it without question. Why then, when Hazel and I accuse Sarah, do you hesitate?”

Jake grasped the meaning behind Kallie’s words. Sarah’s smile slowly vanished. Visibly irritated, she murmured, “This isn’t the same thing.”

Despite her words, Sarah found herself studying Jake’s face. She hadn’t anticipated a response from him.

Jake stated, “Having known Sarah for so long, I can tell when she’s not being truthful. There was no need for such a blunt reminder.”

Kallie’s face lost color. Was this what trust looked like? Had he ever trusted her like that? She soon felt it was ridiculous to even have such a question in her mind.

Kallie retorted, her phone voicing her response via the text-to-speech function: “It was impossible that Hazel just fell down the stairs since neither Hazel nor I meant for it to happen. You really should ask Sarah about what happened. After all, she’s been targeting Hazel, all because of me.”

Kallie then gestured toward the conspicuous bruise on Hazel’s left cheek.

Jake merely tightened his lips, appearing oblivious to it. “Call the family doctor,” he instructed indifferently.

Kallie met his gaze, her eyes burrowing into his, and then wordlessly turned to depart.

Sarah felt her anxiety slightly diminish. She threw a glare at Hazel and remarked, “Why am I being blamed for this? Hazel’s the one who’s been taunting me lately, throwing snide remarks my way. I have to wonder who’s putting her up to it. Jake, why do you persist in being so gentle? Someone like her should be shown the door. And as for Kallie, I shudder to think what might happen if she lingers around. Perhaps…”

Sarah looked at Jake with an expectant gaze.

Jake offered a chilling smile, his stare sharp and calculating. “Perhaps I should swiftly remove Kallie, allowing you to take over as the lady of the house, correct?”

That was indeed what Sarah was hoping for, though she would never admit it so openly. She merely pouted in response. “Jake, what are you getting at? I’m just trying to look after you.”

Jake’s face hardened further. “I can make my own decisions. You don’t need to dictate what I do. Hazel was hired by my grandfather and isn’t someone I can just fire. If you can’t stand her, just stay away from her.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected to be forced to tolerate a servant. A wave of anger and frustration threatened to spill over, but she managed to suppress it. With a hollow laugh, Sarah conceded, saying, “Alright. I don’t want to cause you any trouble. I’ll put up with her.”

She hoped her display of enduring injustice would elicit some sympathy.

Seizing the moment, Sarah made her plea. “Jake, I was really frightened today. Could you stay tonight? I don’t need anything from you. Just sharing the same space would make me feel safer.”

Jake cast her a brief look but remained silent. He then turned and walked away.

Sarah watched his retreating figure, her teeth clenched in frustration.

After Hazel recovered from her injury, she grew even closer to Kallie. This shift didn’t go unnoticed by other household staff in the mansion, who were more willing to get closer to Kallie. Sarah had become someone everyone avoided.

One day, noticing Kallie deep in thought, Hazel slowed her steps. Approaching Kallie, she gently said, “Kallie?”

Kallie lifted her head upon hearing the voice. She quickly signed to Hazel, asking how the recovery was going and if there was any discomfort.

Hazel offered a reassuring smile. “Much better now. Mr. Reeves arranged a competent doctor for me. He mentioned if there is any discomfort remaining, he’ll take me to the hospital.”

Kallie acknowledged the update with a nod and then expressed that she preferred to be addressed as Kallie instead of Madam.

Hazel paused, biting her lip as she spoke. “Actually, I don’t believe Mr. Reeves is as unfeeling as he appears. I wasn’t hired by Roderick. If Mr. Reeves truly cared for Sarah, he would have dismissed me already. I believe he still respects your feelings. In his eyes, you are his rightful wife, and Sarah is merely an interloper. Perhaps when Mr. Reeves tires of her, things will return to normal.”

Kallie’s expression turned grave as she listened to Hazel’s words. Though she was unable to verbalize her mind, her resolve was clearly reflected through her gestures. Kallie signed, making it clear that she couldn’t settle for being just one among many women by Jake’s side. In a world that claimed to value equality, she couldn’t quite understand why she, as his rightful wife, should compete with others for his affection. It didn’t sit well with her.

Kallie had never before confronted the inherent imbalance in their relationship.

Hearing this, Hazel swiftly steered the conversation elsewhere. “I heard you’re going to attend the party. I did a little digging for you. It’s for Miss Simpson’s birthday. Her family might not be rich, but they’ve been prominent in the education sector for generations, and they hold considerable respect. Miss Simpson herself is known for her fairness and integrity, so you likely wouldn’t encounter any issues. You can go with peace of mind.”

Kallie’s face lit up with a smile. That was indeed good news. However, the thought of Sarah and Jake attending the event together soured her mood. Yet, she felt powerless to change anything. She hadn’t done anything to be ashamed of, so there was no reason for fear. If she avoided them, Sarah could start spreading rumors.

“Kallie!” A sharp, feminine voice called out from behind her.

Turning around, Kallie saw Sarah approaching, her elegance underscored by a determined look.

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