Chapter 167



The moment Kallie stepped out, a flood of reporters surged forward, their cameras poised to capture her being escorted into the police car.

The intensity of the scene rivaled that of a high-profile arrest for a severe crime, drawing the gaze of everyone nearby.

“Hey, what’s happening? Are they arresting a murderer?”

“Haven’t you heard? This woman’s got a lover in the middle of a divorce, and now she’s plotting to murder her husband because he won’t give her any money.”

“Oh my goodness, really? But she looks so sweet and innocent.”

“Looks can be deceiving. Women like her manipulate with their beauty, stopping at nothing to achieve their aims. Her poor husband must be suffering.”

Upon arriving at the police station, Kallie was immediately taken for questioning.

Due to Kallie’s inability to speak, a sign language interpreter was promptly brought in.

After Kallie explained her side, one officer responded, “From what you’ve described, you might be innocent, but we can’t release you yet. There’s a serious allegation of attempted murder against you, accusing you of poisoning your husband during your time together. We must wait for the hospital report to confirm whether there was indeed any poisoning.”

Kallie simply nodded, aware that the hospital report might not come as easily as hoped. Jake’s illness was a secret closely guarded by those who knew.

Kallie knew she was resigned to endure a bit longer at the station.

Before long, Kallie nodded off at the table. She was jolted awake by the sound of someone entering and tapping the table in front of her. “Kallie, you’ve been bailed out. You’re free to leave now.”

Glancing at the clock, Kallie noted it was deep into the night. Jake probably acted swiftly.

Yet, as Kallie emerged, it was Brent she encountered, not Jake.

Brent’s face wore a look of concern as he came closer.

“Are you alright? I got here as fast as I could. I’ve already lined up the best lawyer for you. You’ll be fine. Even if Jake decides to take this to court, I’ve got your back.”

A wave of gratitude washed over Kallie. She nodded her thanks to him.

Fingers poised over her phone, she typed out a message, “Do you really trust me? Aren’t you worried I’m capable of doing what they say I did to Jake?”

Brent shook his head. “I know you too well. You wouldn’t hurt him. Even if you did, it wouldn’t be for money. But if it was out of spite? Then maybe, just maybe, I’d believe it.”

Kallie’s lips curved into a smile upon hearing his words.

Brent motioned toward the car. “Come on. Let’s head out.”

“Wait!” A voice erupted nearby.

Jake strode toward them, flanked by his bodyguards. His complexion was pale, though he appeared better than he had earlier that day.

As Jake’s path intersected with Brent’s, the two men stood firm, neither yielding an inch.

Jake’s expression turned frosty. “Mr. Hayes, this is a family issue. Have you developed a taste for meddling in other people’s problems?”

Brent met his gaze without wavering. “I have no interest in getting involved. But ask yourself, how much has Kallie endured while being with you? I’m not concerned about why you were hospitalized suddenly, but I’m certain Kallie wasn’t behind it. Your relatives? They seem more interested in tormenting Kallie than in your recovery.”

Jake remained unshaken by Brent’s accusations. “But don’t forget, Mr. Hayes, what exactly Kallie has traded with her freedom. Who has really been exploiting her? Who has tormented her? You claim to protect her, but it seems you lack the means to do so.”

Brent was overwhelmed with frustration, his fists clenched tightly as he struggled to find the words to retort. He was consumed by guilt, reproaching himself. But who could have predicted things would turn out this way?

Brent’s voice faltered, the right words eluding him.

Jake had no interest in hearing Brent out. He strode over to Kallie and seized her wrist. “Come back with me.”

Kallie smoothly withdrew her hand from his grasp. She used sign language to question Jake whether he was aware of who had sent her to the police station.

Jake frowned. “I know. And then?”

Kallie’s lips curled into a cold smirk. She signed, a dismissive flick of her hand conveying there was nothing further to discuss.

Kallie then approached Brent, typing quickly on her phone. “Take me back. I’ve been stuck here all afternoon and I need to rest.”

Kallie could feel the chill of Jake’s stare piercing her back, yet she resisted the urge to look his way.

A few paces later, a thought struck Kallie, prompting her to send Jake a message. “Don’t worry. I’ll attend Sarah’s birthday party. I intend to keep my promise, and I trust you’ll keep yours.”

Jake could only watch, a mixture of frustration and helplessness washing over him, as Kallie climbed into Brent’s car and they pulled away.

Seething with anger, Jake suddenly started to cough, his body weak and trembling.

Edgar, alarmed by his condition, rushed to his side. “Mr. Reeves, the doctor was clear about your need to rest quietly in the hospital. Today’s fainting episode was unexpected. We’re uncertain of what might come next.”

Gradually regaining his composure but still feeble, Jake caught his breath and muttered, “Let’s head to the car.”

Once inside, Jake leaned back and pressed a hand to his temples, soothing himself slowly.

Edgar turned the ignition and steered the car toward the hospital, the road unfolding quietly ahead.

Jake shot Edgar a look of displeasure. “Edgar, now you have the guts to make decisions for me?”

Edgar exhaled a weary sigh. “Mr. Reeves, if you fired me right now, I’d still drag you back to the hospital. Please, don’t get upset with me. Consider this. You’re on your own at the moment. If something were to happen to you, what then? What about the Reeves Group? What about your employees? You’d just be playing into the hands of those who want to see you fail.”

Jake let out a sigh, his tone even. “I hadn’t realized you’ve become so talkative. I’m not planning to die anytime soon. And forget the hospital. Sarah foolishly alerted the media, and now they’re swarming outside. Do you really want my health to become a public spectacle?”

Understanding the situation, Edgar turned the car around, his thoughts heavy. “I didn’t tell the truth to your wife, yet she seemed to pick up on something. Miss Miller overstepped today, not just targeting Kallie but completely ignoring your situation. What’s your plan?”

“Hold onto her for a bit longer. She might be useful down the line.” A glint of cold determination flickered in Jake’s eyes as he made his way directly to his study upon arriving home.

Meanwhile, Sarah remained in the living room, kneeling and crying. “Jake, I’m truly sorry. Please, don’t be mad. Let me explain. I was duped into doing it by someone else.”

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