Chapter 134



“What do you mean? Are you saying that I’d shirk responsibility and secretly pin it all on the Hayes family? Kallie, you can’t just throw around accusations,” Dean said, his expression one of serious indignation.

Kallie, slightly bewildered, studied Dean’s earnest face. If he wasn’t responsible, then who was?

Meanwhile, Melinda, arms crossed, let out a chuckle. “Seems like you’re quick to point fingers without understanding the whole situation. What would a mute know about business, anyway? And with the ongoing feud between the Hayes and Reeves families, why are you defending the Hayes? There are rumors you’re cozy with them. Planning to marry into the Hayes family after you divorce Jake, are you?”

Melinda’s accusations were harsh and biting. Kallie’s expression turned icy at her words.

Edgar intervened, his face darkening with a warning, “Madam, some comments shouldn’t be made lightly.”

Melinda stood up abruptly, saying to Dean, “Why are we even staying here? It’s clear Kallie has made up her mind about us. We should just leave instead of staying here being wrongly accused.”

Dean rose, his face set in a stern mask, ready to exit.

But as Dean walked past Kallie, he paused abruptly. “I get it. You’re trying to shift all the blame onto me now. Did my brother put you up to this? I wasn’t even considering the Hayes’ involvement until you brought it up. But now you’ve given me something to think about. Why should their problems be my concern?”

With a derisive snort, Dean stormed out.

As Melinda passed Kallie, she nudged her aside forcefully, causing Kallie to nearly lose her balance.

Overwhelmed by the situation, Kallie was consumed with regret, wondering what had transpired. Was Dean truly not responsible? Then who was behind it all? Could it be Jake? Had Jake intentionally sent her to confront Dean, only to see her caught in this predicament?

“Dean!” A male voice halted their departure.

Jake appeared in the doorway, tall and imposing, his expression unreadably calm.

Dean, visibly angered by the interruption, laughed bitterly and pointed accusingly at Jake. “You and your wife set this up, didn’t you? Just because our grandpa left you in charge doesn’t mean you can push me around. Forget about it!” Dean accused, his tone sharp and resentful.

Jake responded with a slight smile, his demeanor calm. “Why all the hostility? I anticipated some confusion, so I came back just to sort things out.”

“Alright, then. I’ll listen. But you two better make things clear,” Dean retorted, settling back into his seat, his anger barely contained.

Melinda, less than thrilled at Jake’s arrival, quickly grabbed the child from the servant’s arms. “The little one doesn’t seem happy here. I’ll take her home so she won’t interrupt your talk.”

With those words, Melinda turned to leave, her movements brisk as she exited the scene.

As Melinda made to leave, Jake gestured, and instantly, a few bodyguards blocked her path. With a smug smirk, he said, “Hey, why the hurry? It’s been a while since I’ve seen my little niece. Stay a bit and let me spend some time with her.”

Visibly flustered, Melinda faltered. “She’s crying, it’s not a good time.”

Before Melinda could finish her sentence, the bodyguards closed in, compelling her to go back with the child, her discomfort evident.

Melinda knew Jake all too well. Unpredictable and often extreme in his actions, he could be quite dangerous when angered.

Kallie, observing the unfolding scene, felt no relief at Jake’s intervention. Instead, she was filled with sadness and irritation. She assumed she was being manipulated like a pawn in their games.

As Kallie attempted to exit, Jake swiftly grabbed her wrist, halting her movement.

Kallie struggled to free herself, but Jake’s grip was too firm. Fiercely, she glared at Jake, her expression filled with defiance.

Yet, in her small frame and with tears brimming in her eyes, she resembled more an upset kitten than a threatening force.

Seeing her like this made it difficult for Jake to maintain his harsh demeanor. His gaze momentarily softened, though his voice stayed resolute. “If you truly want to help the Hayes family, you need to stay.”

Unable to muster a counterargument, Kallie felt a sinking realization that her options were limited.

Kallie gritted her teeth and, with visible reluctance, moved back into the chamber, selecting a seat as far from Jake as possible.

Dean, visibly agitated and rubbing his temples, demanded clarity. “Jake, you better start explaining what’s going on today. I know you wield a lot of power, but that doesn’t give you free rein to do as you please.”

Despite the tension, Jake appeared unusually at ease, a rare smile playing across his face as he turned to face Dean. He calmly poured a cup of wine and offered it to Dean.

“That’s an interesting thing to say, considering we’re family. Blood is thicker than water, after all. Who would bully their flesh and blood?” Jake’s comment carried a hint of irony, his smile faint but unmistakable.

Dean coughed lightly, feeling a mix of embarrassment and irritation. He felt Jake was mocking him subtly.

Reflecting on their childhood and teenage years, it was true that Dean had often set traps for Jake when the adults weren’t watching.

In their kind of family, the sentimental idea of brotherly love was more of a fairytale than reality.

If there was anyone to blame, Dean thought, it was that Jake had always been too clever for his own good, even as a kid. So clever, in fact, that it sometimes scared Dean.

As Jake matured, his formidable intellect and competence became increasingly apparent, casting a larger shadow over Dean.

Initially, Dean had attempted to fulfill the role of a supportive older brother.

However, as Jake’s capabilities became more evident, fear crept into Dean.

Shirley, their mother, had instilled a ruthless, competitive mindset in her sons, emphasizing that theirs was a world where only the strongest survived.

In the Reeves family, the stakes were high. There was room for only one winner, one heir to take it all.

The family wealth was not to be divided. It was winner-takes-all, fostering a cutthroat environment that turned sibling against sibling.

As the years passed, Dean’s view of Jake became increasingly fraught with complexity and tension.

The familial bond they once shared was eroded by endless schemes and traps, each ploy stripping away any remnants of brotherly affection.

Jake, for his part, adapted to each of Dean’s maneuvers, becoming shrewder and more ruthless in response.

Reflecting on their history, a sense of regret gnawed at Dean. He felt he should have been even more relentless in his childhood tactics. He imagined crippling Jake, rendering him as disabled as Kallie.

In Dean’s harsh calculation, even if Jake had remained free, talented, and skilled, his physical condition would have made it impossible for him to take control of the Reeves family empire.

Dean shot Jake a menacing look, his voice frosty. “What do you mean by that?”

Jake lifted an eyebrow, his tone deceptively casual. “Nothing much. We’ve always had a good relationship, haven’t we? I just don’t like seeing you get into trouble.”

Jake placed a sarcastic emphasis on “good relationship.”

Before Dean could retort, Jake pressed on. “So, I’m here to give you a friendly warning. The Hayes family isn’t like the others. If you decide to mess with them, you’d better be sure you can take them down completely. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a world of trouble.”

The sarcasm dripping from Jake’s words was not lost on Dean, who flushed with anger. “Jake! What are you talking about? I already told you, I had no idea about this. Maybe it was a mistake by someone under me. I never meant to cross the Hayes family.”

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