Chapter 116



Two onlookers observed the exchange between Hayden and Kallie from afar. Rachel’s face betrayed complex emotions—annoyance mingled with hints of reluctance and distress.

Just then, Sarah approached and gently patted Rachel’s shoulder, her voice soft and soothing. “Kallie is quite the schemer, isn’t she? She excels at deception. Everyone who interacts with her seems to fall for her tricks. No matter the situation, if it involves her, she somehow remains the blameless one.”

As Sarah spoke, tears began to trickle down her cheeks. “Look at this scar on my face. It’s permanent. But what choice do I have? She forced my parents to give in by threatening to harm herself, and she wouldn’t leave Jake alone. They had to shield her, act as though nothing was wrong.”

Rachel’s anger flared upon hearing this. “I knew she was manipulative, but I never imagined she could go to such extremes.”

A sly smile flickered across Sarah’s face, quickly hidden. “There’s nothing we could do. She plays the mute, the victim. In this world, it often seems the most pitiful garner the most sympathy.”

Rachel glanced at Sarah. “Don’t worry, I won’t let her get away with this. I have no patience for women like her.”

Sarah’s words continued to stoke Rachel’s anger.

“I remember you once wanted to learn from Hayden. I couldn’t fathom why he turned you down until I found out later that it was all Kallie’s doing. She…”

Sarah was in the middle of speaking when Rachel cut her off, her frown betraying a hint of irritation.

“Enough,” Rachel said firmly. “This issue is mine alone. Even if that woman crossed a line, I can’t put all the blame on her.”

Sarah gave an awkward laugh in response. “Right, you’ve got a point there.”

The banquet hall was buzzing with guests, many of whom were not shy about casting judgment on Kallie. Hearing the whispers, Kallie reminded herself of her reason for attending this party and steeled herself to endure the scrutiny. But she didn’t expect to encounter Donovan here.

Donovan approached swiftly, his voice laden with urgency and remorse. “I’m so sorry, Kallie. I invited you to the exhibition with the best intentions, but it turned out to be such an ordeal for you. We’ll have the full surveillance footage from the school soon, and it will clear your name. Do you want me to post it online immediately?”

Kallie shook her head, her expression softening with gratitude. Her response was swiftly typed down on her phone. “Thank you for standing by me. Aren’t you worried, though? What if I actually was the troublemaker at the school?”

Donovan smiled reassuringly. “If I believed you were capable of causing trouble, I wouldn’t have invited you. Rumors have a way of spreading like wildfire. People often accept them without a second thought. As for Vernon, once this is settled, I’ll make sure he’s terminated and issues a public apology to you.”

Warmth surged through Kallie’s heart. Her response was firm. “Let’s not rush things. I came here today to clarify a few things. Now it’s clear to me that Sarah intentionally lured me here to embarrass me, but I’ll fight back.”

Turning her gaze toward Sarah, Kallie’s eyes were frosty. Sarah, sensing the intensity of Kallie’s stare, met her gaze at that exact moment. Unfazed, Sarah returned a defiant look, then pursed her lips and silently mouthed a derogatory word.

Instead of reacting with anger, Kallie offered a slight, composed smile.

The time for extending gifts soon arrived. Since she was not particularly close with Rachel, Kallie opted for a gift that was simple but impeccable.

Rachel gave it a brief look, made no fuss, and waved for a servant to take it away, showing a disinterest that bordered on disdain.

Seeing this, a small smile played across Sarah’s lips.

As Kallie reached for the door, Sarah’s voice stopped her in her tracks. “Kallie, wait!”

Kallie’s eyelids fluttered, sensing something amiss. She paused and turned to face Sarah with a calm demeanor.

Sarah appeared distressed. “It’s nothing serious, but I just recalled something important.”

Sarah then shifted her gaze to Rachel. “Rachel, remember you mentioned some of your mom’s things were missing?”

Rachel nodded in response. “Yes, that’s right. But how is that relevant now?”

Sarah continued, “Well, the last time I was at the vintage store, I came across two dresses. They were meticulously crafted, and I could tell they held some value. I bought them for Kallie. Today, when we were looking at pictures of your mom, it hit me. Those dresses were among your mom’s possessions.”

Rachel rose sharply, her face a mix of shock and disbelief. “Are you sure? Could there have been some mistake?”

Sarah shook her head firmly. “No mistake. I recognized their beauty immediately and even snapped a couple of photos.”

Sarah pulled out her phone, eager to show Rachel the evidence.

Rachel’s eyes filled with tears almost immediately. She seldom allowed her emotions to get the better of her. The memory of her late mother was a tender subject. Even years later, anything associated with her mother still moved her profoundly.

With a shaky voice, Rachel asked, “You mentioned you handed those items to Kallie, didn’t you?”

Sarah struggled to hide a self-satisfied grin. “Yes, but it appears Kallie didn’t care for them at all. She dismissed what I gave her as trash. Perhaps her taste isn’t refined. She probably can’t appreciate vintage items. Or maybe her dislike for me extends to everything I offer.”

Rachel remained silent, absorbing Sarah’s remarks. She turned to Kallie, her gaze laden with sorrow. “Despite our differences, I’m still hoping you’ll sell me those items, even if at a high price. They were my mother’s. I’m not sure how they were misplaced, but I’d be grateful if you could return them.”

Kallie inhaled sharply, her chest tightening and discomfort spreading across her face.

Seeing this, Sarah quickly raised her voice. “Kallie, you surely haven’t discarded those items, have you? What are we to do? It’s been days. If they’re lost, they’re lost forever. Those were Miss Simpson’s mother’s belongings. This seems rather harsh.”

Kallie clenched her fists to maintain her composure. She had long harbored suspicions that something was amiss. Why would Sarah present her with a gift, especially one from a vintage store?

The entire situation struck Kallie as suspicious, but she hadn’t discarded the items yet. She chose not to display them just yet.

Kallie was uncertain about the loyalties of the others in the room. She feared that even if she brought the unscathed clothes over, they would somehow appear as damaged.

Turning to Rachel, Kallie attempted to plead her case as she hastily typed down her response. “Miss Simpson, please believe me, the—”

Yet, before Kallie could finish her message, Rachel abruptly stepped back.

Rachel’s eyes were frosty, resembling a sea pierced by shards of ice. “You truly are as treacherous as a snake.”

.

.

.