Chapter 139



Sophia’s trembling subsided, her sobs growing quieter as guilt and fear overwhelmed her.

Boris cursed “idiot” in his mind.

In an attempt to salvage the situation and steer the group’s attention away from his mother’s guilty expression, Boris dropped to his knees abruptly, the impact echoing crisply in the room. He faced the direction of Jerome’s ward and bowed his head repeatedly against the floor.

Brent’s expression darkened, a frown creasing his brow as he watched contemplatively.

Boris then launched into a theatrical display, crying loudly. He crawled on his knees toward Brent and clutched at the fabric of Brent’s pants, his demeanor desperate.

“Brent, if it turns out my mother really did something so vile, then she’s lower than any beast. It’d be justified, even to cast her out,” Boris pleaded, voice choked with emotion, “But please, I urge you to delve deeply into this.

My mother is so timid. She can’t even bear to crush an ant, much less harm a human, especially not her own father.”

Boris’s performance was convincing. It tugged at the heartstrings of everyone there, compelling some to tears.

Yet, Brent remained unmoved, his judgment unclouded. He looked down at Boris, his voice calm and steady. “Why the rush, Boris? I haven’t accused her outright yet. I’m merely suspicious and wish to speak with her.”

Boris’s gaze flitted nervously around as his cries continued unabated. “I realize that ever since my mother and I came back to the Hayes family, you’ve been resentful, believing we have no place here. But I’m not here to vie with you for anything. The Hayes estate, including the Hayes Group, is yours. Just please, show some compassion. Our lives have been difficult. Keeping us around is like having two more pets in the house.”

Some onlookers couldn’t keep silent any longer.

“How can someone be so cruel? To think of killing one’s own father!”

“Perhaps he’s seizing the opportunity to drive them away.”

Whispers and murmurs rose among the members of the Hayes family. A number of them had harbored grievances against Brent but had found no reason to confront him—until now.

They assisted Boris to his feet, and one man boldly confronted Brent. “We are family, after all. It’s one thing for you to disregard us and wish us gone under normal circumstances, but now, standing before you are your own aunt and cousin. Can you really be so merciless? It’s been evident to everyone that this mother and son have been tirelessly tending to Jerome in the hospital. You barely visit, maybe a couple of times a week.

If they had intended any harm to Jerome, they would have acted much sooner. Why would they wait until now? Brent, could it be that you’re the one wishing for Jerome’s swift departure? Once he passes, the entire Hayes legacy falls to you, freeing you to expel anyone you dislike.”

“You!” Brent’s fury erupted at the accusation. He clenched his jaw and delivered a forceful punch to the man’s face.

Honestly, the man didn’t even attempt to retaliate.

Boris, however, didn’t miss his chance to escalate the tension, reveling in the ensuing chaos. With his hands covering his face, he yelled out dramatically, “Brent, why are you attacking me? It’s fine. If hitting me makes you feel better, go ahead!”

The spectacle was captured on video and promptly uploaded online, where it quickly spread like wildfire.

Unaware of the real story, many viewers fell for Boris’s act, bombarding Brent’s social media with malicious comments.

Some even began to boycott the products and subsidiaries of the Hayes Group, demanding Brent’s resignation or threatening a permanent boycott.

Kallie remained oblivious to the online uproar, her mind elsewhere.

Technically, she would be back to her single life once she secured the divorce certificate tomorrow, a milestone that was expected to bring joy. Yet, she was restless, spending the night awake, tossing and turning, unable to find peace. Jake’s fate haunted her thoughts.

Memories from her time with the Reeves family surged, filling Kallie’s mind with scenes of school days and living alongside them. Their wedding day stood out with particular clarity.

During the ceremony, Jake had been visibly unhappy, his expression icy and distant.

Kallie had even considered calling off the wedding at one point.

A casual remark Kallie made had unexpectedly taken hold with Roderick, who not only remembered it but also pressured Jake into agreeing.

The wedding, though lavish, was an affair attended mostly by members of the Reeves family.

Kallie was ready to speak to Roderick to stop the wedding if Jake was unwilling.

She wanted to prevent her relationship with Jake from deteriorating beyond repair. However, when she approached him, Jake’s response was frosty. He gripped her chin firmly, his eyes devoid of warmth. “What, still not satisfied? What else do you want from me? Do you want me to vow to love only you forever?”

His words, sharp and mocking, echoed in Kallie’s mind. So the following day, during what should have been the happiest occasion of her life, Kallie found herself in tears.

She was baffled, unable to grasp why happiness eluded her.

Throughout the ceremony, whispers and jeers circled Kallie.

Some claimed she was merely a mute who was unworthy of Jake, suggesting she must have seduced him to have come so far.

They were correct on one thing: Kallie was indeed mute.

Without the means to voice her defense, all she could do was silently endure the mockery and derision thrown her way.

After the ceremony, Kallie sought Jake, needing to speak with him. However, she found him with bodyguards, beating up those who had taunted her most harshly.

Jake’s gaze was intense, his tone icy as he questioned them. “Who do you think you are to speak of her and me like that?”

From then on, the mocking about her being mute became less frequent. Kallie had mixed feelings then.

Her current sentiments mirrored what she felt back then.

She harbored no hatred or distaste toward Jake, yet a part of her wondered if perhaps she should have distanced herself sooner. Now, even a simple friendship seemed unattainable.

Kallie tossed and turned all night, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

By six in the morning, a knock echoed at her door.

The absence of Kallie’s response prompted the visitor to call out louder. “Mrs. Reeves, are you there? We’re from the Reeves family.”

The Reeves family? Surprise quickly gave way to realization. It had to be Jake’s people. Why had they come so early? Did Jake fear she might change her mind? A wave of sadness washed over her.

Gathering herself, Kallie opened the door to find several bodyguards donned in Reeves family uniforms. They greeted her courteously, extending a hand to guide her downstairs.

As Kallie approached the car, something felt off. It wasn’t Jake’s usual vehicle.

Despite her reservations, Kallie climbed in.

Instead of heading to the city hall, the car veered toward the Reeves family mansion.

Kallie’s mind raced with questions until she entered the living room. There, Shirley and Melinda sat looking distressed, sinking Kallie’s heart further.

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