Chapter 126



Nearby, an onlooker remarked, “This family finally got what was coming to them. They’ve bullied other people countless times.”

Another onlooker shared the sentiment and swiftly chimed in, “Yeah, just the other day, my daughter was playing downstairs when this young boy took her toys and claimed they were his. When this elderly lady showed up, I had hoped we could resolve it, but instead, she slapped my daughter and said we were the ones in the wrong. Can you believe that?”

Someone else huffed, “And remember when this boy deliberately smashed my car window? They refused to take responsibility, acting as if their job at the Reeves Group made them superior to everyone else. If someone had a nicer car than theirs, they’d start spreading vicious rumors.”

Listening to all this, Kallie realized this family truly deserved their fate. Initially thinking the punishment might be excessive, it seemed clear they had brought it upon themselves. Jake had actually helped the neighbors purge this group of troublemakers.

Despite this family’s incessant pleas for mercy, Jake didn’t spare them a look. Instead, he seized Kallie’s wrist and pulled her along.

Kallie nearly lost her balance and struggled to free her hand, shooting Jake a glare. Her eyes and expression clearly showcased her displeasure with his actions.

Jake’s expression remained cold and stern. “Last time you called me and gestured all those bizarre things, I let it slide. If it weren’t for me today, you’d be in shambles because of those people. You should be grateful. Is this how you show gratitude?”

For a moment, Kallie was speechless. She clenched her teeth in frustration and gestured that those were two separate issues, emphasizing that just because he helped her today didn’t erase the wrongs he had committed in the past.

Jake chuckled, gripping Kallie’s chin and forcing her to meet his gaze. “Wrongs? Tell me, what exactly have I done that was so terrible?”

Kallie’s expression shifted slightly, her eyes growing dim. What was there to say? This conversation wasn’t going to yield anything substantial even if she explained.

Jake’s anger intensified. He hadn’t planned on explaining himself, but the words surged out like a tidal wave, demanding release. “Why did you assume I helped Sarah? Am I the only one with access to your room keys? And really, why would I bother with something as trivial as keys?”

Kallie listened to Jake’s explanation with an unchanged expression. Stepping back, her demeanor turned cold and cautious, as if maintaining a safe distance. With gestures, she then demanded to know how Sarah got the keys.

Jake’s voice turned cold as ice. “She got them from the butler, and I was unaware of it.”

Persisting, Kallie pressed further, her gestures swift and firm as she directed questions to Jake. “Why would the butler grant Sarah’s request readily? He works under your authority and likely assumed Sarah’s wishes mirrored your commands. Can you honestly claim no responsibility for Sarah’s intrusion into my room and the ensuing damage?”

Jake faltered momentarily and then hardened his tone, “You’re distorting the facts. This isn’t my doing.”

A soft, disappointed laugh escaped Kallie. She chose not to argue anymore, turning away and walking off.

Jake hesitated, torn between following her and remaining rooted in place.

Eventually, with a grim expression, Jake pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

The butler answered with politeness, “Mr. Reeves, how may I assist you?” he asked respectfully.

“You’re fired,” Jake stated bluntly and coldly. “Collect your belongings and leave.”

The butler was shocked, his anxiety evident as he began to sweat. Before he could inquire further, Jake abruptly ended the call, leaving the butler stunned and struggling to maintain his composure.

Pale-faced, the butler muttered to himself, “It’s all over.”

Without knowing the exact reason for his dismissal, the butler could discern from Jake’s tone that he had somehow deeply offended him.

Kallie stormed back to her house, only to face another infuriating hurdle.

Thanks to that troublesome family and Jake, she hadn’t been able to purchase what she needed. Now, hunger gnawed at her, weakening her limbs and spinning her head.

Adding to her distress, emotional turmoil left her feeling unsteady.

Then, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

Glancing through the peephole, Kallie spotted Jake standing outside. She had no desire to speak to him.

Jake, seemingly reading her mind, spoke in a cold tone. “Don’t play games. I know you’re inside. If you don’t open the door, I have plenty of ways to get in.”

Furious but feeling cornered, Kallie reluctantly faced the inevitable. She knew Jake was capable of such actions. With a glare, she reluctantly opened the door. Her gestures asked, “What will it take for you to stop bothering me?”

Jake’s tone was commanding. “Let me in.”

Kallie clenched her teeth, shaking her head firmly.

Ignoring her protest, Jake stepped forward and hoisted Kallie onto his shoulder.

Kallie let out a yelp, clinging tightly to his neck, afraid he might harm her. She trembled all over, especially wary of any pressure on her stomach.

Jake could feel Kallie’s resistance, sensing her aversion to his touch more keenly than before. But he hadn’t realized the extent of her discomfort. How could such a simple gesture make her so upset? It was evident she harbored a deep dislike for him.

At the thought of this, Jake’s expression darkened further. He walked into the house and closed the door behind him, gently placing Kallie on the couch.

Although he hadn’t used much force, Kallie curled up instinctively, her hand protectively clasping her stomach.

Kallie appeared frail and diminished, like a frightened kitten.

Jake, typically not one to indulge in sentimentality, found himself wrestling with an unusual tenderness. Seeing Kallie in such a state tugged at his heartstrings, despite his usual disposition to remain detached.

“What happened?” Jake asked, furrowing his brow. “Does your stomach hurt?”

As he reached out toward her, Kallie quickly dodged his touch and sat up, gesturing with her hands that she merely suffered from a stomachache.

Her anxiety was palpable. She feared Jake might discover her pregnancy.

Jake scanned the room with a suspicious look, and when he turned back to face Kallie, his expression had darkened even further. “Haven’t you been eating properly these past few days?”

Kallie felt a twinge of embarrassment but bristled at the need to justify her actions. She responded through sign language that she had been busy and inadvertently neglected it. She emphasized that it was none of his business.

Surprisingly, Jake softened, asking, “Do you want me to get some groceries and cook for you?”

Kallie was taken aback. She raised an eyebrow, wondering whether she had heard him correctly.

His expression slightly rigid, Jake asked, “Well, what would you like?”

Kallie shook her head vigorously, dismissing the offer and gesturing that she could cook without imposing the task on him.

Jake’s demeanor hardened, his jaw clenching as his eyes darkened with a hint of a threat. “If you don’t want to eat, that’s fine by me. Let’s see how you like being in a hospital with a glucose infusion.”

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