Chapter 158



Edgar hesitated for a moment before moving to assist Jake. However, Jake simply gave Edgar a stern look.

Getting the message, Edgar refrained from helping and instead opened the car doors for them both.

Kallie, visibly drained, struggled to help Jake get into the vehicle. Drenched and exhausted, her efforts seemed even more difficult.

As Kallie prepared to climb in herself, Jake abruptly shut the door in front of her.

Taken aback, Kallie knocked on the window, gesturing to question his intentions.

Jake ignored her and instructed Edgar to find another car for her.

Edgar, giving Kallie a sympathetic look, nodded and cranked the engine to life.

Fortunately, another car pulled up shortly thereafter.

Once Kallie settled into the new car, the driver handed her a towel and switched on the heater. The driver even said, “There is some cold medicine here if you need it.”

Kallie’s response was a shake of her head. She recognized this as another of Jake’s maneuvers, a mix of kindness and severity. She pondered over his motives and objectives but failed to come to a conclusion. She simply reclined in her seat and drifted into a light sleep.

Meanwhile, Jake, who had taken some sober-up medicine, began to feel slightly better, though his face still bore a reddened hue.

Edgar couldn’t contain himself any longer and addressed Jake earnestly. “Mr. Reeves, I understand your anger about Kallie having a child with another man, but confronting her this way isn’t going to resolve anything. You could either have a conversation with her to clear the air, or decide to walk away permanently.”

Jake lifted his gaze, meeting Edgar with a frosty stare. “Since when did you become so invested in my private life?”

Edgar chose to remain quiet, not venturing another word.

Jake exhaled a heavy sigh. “I can’t just let this slide. I was prepared to confront her today, yet I’m terrified that the truth might be more devastating than my suspicions.”

“And regarding the news of Kallie’s pregnancy, who spread that around? Didn’t I explicitly ask for it to be kept confidential?” Jake’s voice grew colder with each word.

Edgar quickly responded. “We’re still looking into it, but we should have some answers soon.”

A sudden realization hit Jake, causing him to narrow his eyes suspiciously. “Could it have been that primary doctor?”

Edgar considered it for a moment before replying. “It crossed my mind, but that primary doctor has been with the hospital for years. Sabotaging his own career like that doesn’t add up.”

Drained, Jake contemplated. “Regardless, there’s a betrayer among us. Continue the investigation.”

After a pause, Edgar, a bit tentative, said, “Mr. Reeves, given that the news of your wife’s pregnancy is likely to leak someday, and the child she’s carrying…”

Given Kallie’s situation, those opposed to Jake would direct all their attention toward her. Even if Jake were to use Sarah as a distraction, it would prove futile.

However, if it became known that Jake wasn’t the father, as the primary doctor had misled Jake to believe, his reputation would take a hit, and Kallie would face relentless scorn.

By then, Shirley would definitely react dramatically. She had always harbored resentment toward Kallie. One could only guess at her potential actions.

This shouldn’t be a dilemma. After all, Jake could easily extricate himself from troubles, yet he found himself unable to detach.

“Why do you think I insisted she stay by my side?” Jake’s gaze upon Edgar was icy.

Edgar finally grasped it, a sigh escaping him silently. Jake was truly in a bind. He couldn’t help but ponder what Kallie was thinking.

Having observed the past, Edgar was convinced that Kallie harbored some unresolved feelings for Jake. It all came down to who would make the first move.

Stepping out of the car and glancing at the familiar house, Kallie’s heart sank with a swirl of emotions. Exhaustion gripped her. She was still damp from before, and the chilly wind bit at her skin. All she yearned for was a warm shower and some rest.

However, Jake had other plans.

As Kallie walked into the villa, Jake lounged on the couch, his long legs casually crossed, head reclined, revealing his striking jawline and prominent Adam’s apple.

Kallie quickened her steps, feigning ignorance of his presence, but her attempt to escape was futile.

“You’re avoiding me? Do you think I’m a virus?” Jake queried, lifting his head to lock eyes with her. “Have you forgotten our agreement today?”

Kallie motioned with her hands, signaling that she remembered but was just not feeling well and desperately needed to rest.

Jake didn’t respond but rose to his feet, slightly unsteady from the effects of alcohol.

Kallie watched from a short distance, not bothering to help him.

Jake was clenching his teeth in frustration. “What if I slipped and cracked my skull on this table, dying right here? Would that make you happy?”

Only then did Kallie approach, though hesitantly. She took hold of Jake’s arm, signaling that she could help him up. However, if he needed further assistance, he should call on other servants since, if irritated, there was little she could do, and she needed to prioritize the baby she was carrying.

Jake let out a soft chuckle. “Taking care of that lump of flesh, but not willing to take care of me?”

His words immediately angered Kallie. She released his hand sharply. She gestured firmly, making it clear that it wasn’t just some “lump of flesh.” It was her child, and he needed to mind his language.

As she released him, Jake lost his footing and tumbled onto the couch.

It was not a harsh fall, but he did bump his head against the back of the sofa.

Kallie’s heart raced with panic. Could this be serious? She quickly knelt beside him, her eyes wide with concern, and began to shake him gently.

Seeing no response from Jake, and with her inability to speak, Kallie’s hands trembled as she pulled out her phone to message Edgar for help.

Before she could send the message, a light chuckle from Jake interrupted her. It sounded almost like mockery.

Kallie felt a surge of genuine rage. There was no justification for his games.

She shot him a piercing glare, turned around, and stormed toward the guest room. With a sharp slam of the door and a decisive click of the lock, she shut herself away.

Shortly afterward, Kallie’s phone buzzed with a message from Brent. “How’s it going? Is Jake giving you trouble? Where are you now?”

Not just Brent, but Irene had also reached out, both clearly worried about Kallie.

Feeling mixed emotions, Kallie lifted her phone, managed a weak smile for the camera, and snapped a photo. She sent the photo with a message. “I’m fine now. Jake won’t bother me. We’ve laid down some ground rules. Don’t worry. I’ll keep in touch with you both every day.”

Brent’s response came quickly, his relief palpable.

Yet, as Brent replied, his face hardened, his eyes cooling to a distant, frosty stare. “Where is Boris? Haven’t you caught him yet?”

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