Chapter 169



“I understand,” Sarah replied, though with hesitation.

The man’s voice remained calm as he continued. “It’s odd, isn’t it? Now that Jake treats you so well, it feels like he’s just putting on a show.”

Sarah bristled at his words. “He loves me for real! How can you say he’s pretending?”

The man silently labeled Sarah a fool. Direct confrontation wouldn’t serve his purposes; he needed her cooperation, and offending her wouldn’t help. Sarah, after all, could still interact with Jake without rousing any suspicion.

“Don’t worry,” the man assured Sarah, slowing the car. “If Jake’s affection for you is just a façade, then his true feelings must still lie with Kallie. We can exploit that. When the time comes, we’ll drug her too, and have the same effect.”

Sarah’s expression soured. She exited the car abruptly, raising her voice. “I’ll prove to you that Jake’s love for me is real. Just wait until my birthday party!”

With a knowing smirk, the man responded, “I’m eager to see what you pull off.”

Just then, the man’s phone began to vibrate. As soon as he saw the caller ID flash on the screen, his tone shifted to one of marked respect.

Meanwhile, Sarah drifted further away, rendering Edgar unable to catch the man’s words.

Frustration surged within Edgar. He was so irritated that he almost hurled his earpiece to the ground. He had been on the verge of discovering who had drugged Jake.

Taking a moment, Edgar steadied his breathing and emotions, then quickly made his way to Jake’s room.

Upon entering, Edgar found Jake’s condition had greatly improved.

Jake was perched on the bed, absorbed in a book. Noticing Edgar’s grave face, he showed no sign of surprise. “Sarah was involved, wasn’t she?”

Edgar was startled. “Mr. Reeves, you’d figured this out?”

Every chapter lives on g a lno vels ; comm “Yes,” Jake replied, snapping his book shut. “I’ve been sensing something was off ever since Sarah came back. She used to be an open book, eager to say anything to please me. Now, she’s secretive, making calls and sending messages behind my back. I suspected something for quite some time. When I told you to watch Sarah today, I had already pieced it together.”

Edgar bristled with anger. “Mr. Reeves, the Miller family dared to drug you. Shouldn’t we take action?”

Jake gave Edgar a measured look. “You’re losing your edge. Have you forgotten what I’ve taught you?”

Edgar slightly bowed his head, a hint of guilt shadowing his features. “I’m sorry, Mr. Reeves. I just got too angry.”

Jake’s expression grew stern. “The Millers don’t have the courage or the capability for this. There are others pulling the strings. They’re using the Miller family because of my past with Sarah. I did certain things to make Kallie jealous, and those people got the wrong idea. The Millers are mere pawns, used for minor tasks. Even if the Millers get caught, the real culprits can easily wash their hands of it. If we strike at the Millers now, we’ll only tip off the real masterminds.”

Edgar paused, considering Jake’s logic, though his anger lingered. “But Mr. Reeves, what about your health? Should we play along and take the medication?”

Jake didn’t respond directly. Instead, he questioned Edgar, “You haven’t disclosed everything about Sarah’s conversation with that man, have you?”

Feeling somewhat guilty, Edgar hesitantly confessed, “No, I feared it would distress you.”

In a sudden motion, Jake threw the book he was holding at Edgar.

Unflinching, Edgar stood his ground. “Mr. Reeves, even if you’re upset, I’m committed to this course. Right now, your health should be your priority, not these distractions.”

Jake let out a deep sigh, his expression growing intense. “Even though you didn’t tell me, I can figure out their scheme. If they have to, they’ll drug Kallie.”

Edgar looked even more astonished. “Mr. Reeves, you’ve deduced that as well?”

Leaning back against the pillow, Jake closed his eyes. His already pale complexion appeared even more delicate beneath the dim light.

Jake explained, “It’s not hard to predict their moves. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have fallen for their tricks so easily. And Edgar, don’t think I’m doing all this for Kallie. She’s not the reason. They’re targeting me. Dragging Kallie into this just isn’t fair.”

Edgar’s frustration grew. “If she ever discovers what you’ve done…”

Jake let out a laugh, as if he’d heard the funniest joke. “She wouldn’t believe it. In her eyes, I’m just someone who would hurt her.”

Meanwhile, in the hospital, Kallie sneezed suddenly. She hugged her arms, feeling a chill, and blamed the overly cold air conditioning.

Rising to adjust it, Kallie was interrupted by Sophia bursting into the room, her anxiety palpable.

Sophia questioned, “What are you doing? Don’t mess with that.”

Kallie typed on her phone to explain, “It’s really chilly here. Jerome just woke up, and with his frail health, he might catch a cold.”

“A cold?” Sophia sounded incredulous. “The doctors warned of heatstroke in this weather. My father isn’t young anymore. Heatstroke could cause even bigger problems. What exactly are you doing here so often?”

As Sophia spoke, her eyes raked over Kallie critically.

Feeling the weight of Sophia’s stare, Kallie squirmed, mindful that she was on the Hayes family’s territory and needed to maintain her manners.

“Enough!” The sharp command came from Jerome on the hospital bed.

Kallie’s spirits lifted at the sound of his voice, and she quickly moved toward him.

Upon Kallie’s arrival, the nurse had told her that Jerome had just taken his medication and was asleep. Now seeing Jerome awake and alive flooded Kallie with relief.

However, before Kallie could get closer, Sophia hastened forward and shoved Kallie aside.

Sophia’s smile was flattering as she asked with a hint of caution, “Dad, is there any discomfort? What would you like for lunch today?”

Jerome coughed several times and gestured dismissively.

Sophia’s reluctance was evident in her voice, tinged with dissatisfaction. “Why should I leave? Why let her stay? Honestly, I don’t trust her. The doctor mentioned that outsiders shouldn’t be allowed in. Brent knows about your condition, yet he insisted on letting her in. He’s putting a woman over his own family.”

Kallie glanced at Sophia. Sophia seemed strange. She hadn’t done anything to upset Sophia, had she? Why was Sophia showing such animosity toward her?

Perhaps it wasn’t about her, but about Brent.

It appeared Irene was right; Brent really was in a precarious situation within the Hayes family.

Jerome said nothing, merely fixing Sophia with a stern gaze.

Sophia appeared slightly intimidated and stood up hesitantly.

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