Chapter 180



Sarah gracefully fetched a drink for Joanna, initiating conversation with a hint of admiration. “I’ve heard so much about you. Meeting you today, it’s clear you’re quite distinct from us ordinary folks.”

Joanna offered a mild smile, balancing warmth with a reserved coolness. “We’re all made of the same stuff, just different in appearance. How am I really any different from anyone else?”

“It’s not quite the same,” Sarah countered, leaning in to create an air of intimacy. “You have a certain presence, a kind of aura that many spend their entire lives trying to cultivate but never quite achieve.”

“You’re familiar with Kallie, aren’t you? She may seem like a fragile, innocent mute, but she’s filled with schemes. Even though she was raised among the Reeves, she doesn’t quite match up. Compared to you, the difference is night and day. She doesn’t come close.”

Caught off guard by Sarah’s candidness, Joanna’s expression shifted to one of mild surprise. “You’re familiar with Kallie?”

“Of course,” Sarah responded, her interest clearly piqued as she gestured for Joanna to sit closer.

Sarah dove into recounting Kallie’s supposed manipulations, not omitting any details. “I’m aware of her past involvement with your husband. He’s a true gentleman, but Kallie cleverly uses her connection to your sister-in-law to approach him. And it’s not just your husband. She’s also entangled with Brent from the Hayes family. Somehow, she has him completely charmed as well. She seems to juggle multiple men with ease. It’s baffling what sort of allure she possesses to attract them like this.”

As Sarah unfolded these narratives, Joanna’s expression grew increasingly grim. “I haven’t been in this city long and don’t know much about Kallie. I just knew that she once had ties to my husband’s family. Without your insight, I would have remained oblivious. I had no idea she was so adept.”

Seeing Joanna’s troubled look, Sarah took her hand, offering a gesture of sympathy and concern. “It really irks me to see someone of your caliber being manipulated by Kallie. I know you’re not one to stand for such things. What do you say we team up against her? I have no ulterior motives. I simply want her to learn her place. After tonight’s party, why don’t you come by my house so we can discuss this further?”

Sarah’s eyes gleamed with a calculative spark. She was already envisioning how she could leverage Joanna’s influence to decisively undermine Kallie, delighting in the prospect of seeing Kallie permanently diminished.

“Unfortunately, I already have engagements this evening and won’t be able to join you,” Joanna replied, her polite yet firm refusal catching Sarah by surprise and disrupting her calculated plans.

Sarah, undeterred by Joanna’s refusal, continued, “It’s no biggie. If tonight doesn’t work, we can find another time. Let’s exchange contact information and plan to meet later.”

However, Joanna made no move to retrieve her phone. Instead, she offered Sarah a faint, distant smile and calmly adjusted her hair, embodying the poise that defined her.

“While I’ve enjoyed our conversation, you must understand my position. I can’t just form alliances casually. Besides, if you’re married into the Brooks family and looking to leverage my connection to the Martel family for your own ends, I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong person,” Joanna stated, her voice firm yet polite, her rejection leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Sarah managed to maintain her smile, though it was tight and strained, barely concealing the surge of frustration and anger brewing within her. Sarah was baffled by Joanna’s aloof demeanor and felt a pang of frustration at being dismissed so curtly. She envisioned that Joanna would come to regret what she had passed up on.

Refusing to let the conversation end there, Sarah spoke again, her voice laced with caution yet firm in her intent. “I think you might be misunderstanding my intentions. I’m not trying to ingratiate myself with the Martel family. We both stand to gain from dealing with a common adversary. I’m aware of Kallie’s vulnerabilities, ones I can’t exploit alone, but you could easily capitalize on them. Isn’t it frustrating, knowing your husband might still harbor feelings for Kallie? Especially after you married Ethan, believing it was love at first sight?”

“That’s enough!” Joanna’s patience snapped. She stood up abruptly, her eyes flashing with anger. “This conversation is inappropriate. We do not share a common enemy. This is a personal matter for you, not for me. I will not be part of your schemes, Miss Miller. I have other, more important things to handle. I hope you appreciate the gift I brought, though.”

As Joanna turned and walked away, her departure crisp and resolute, Sarah felt her composure slipping. The cold finality of Joanna’s words almost pushed her to lose her temper. A servant noticed Sarah’s rising anger and quickly intervened, whispering a reminder that many eyes were upon them and that their primary objective today was to collaborate with Boris to undermine Kallie.

With this reminder, Sarah managed to regain her composure, her gaze cutting toward Joanna’s retreating figure as she muttered, “She’ll regret this.”

Kallie, observing from a distance, didn’t know the specifics of their conversation, but the sight of Joanna’s unwavering exit and Sarah’s darkened face confirmed her suspicions. Deciding to act, Kallie discreetly excused herself to the others, citing the need for a short break rather than her true intent to speak with Joanna.

Kallie quickly followed after Joanna, managing to catch up after a brisk pursuit. Communicating was challenging for Kallie, given her inability to speak, which made the task of catching Joanna’s attention all the more tricky. Kallie had no choice but to dash ahead and intercept Joanna, positioning herself squarely in her path to ensure Joanna stopped.

Joanna’s day had already taken a sour turn, and her mood hadn’t improved by the unexpected encounter. Seeing Kallie, Joanna’s face contorted with irritation, her eyebrows furrowed deeply and her eyes flashing clear disgust.

“What is it that you want? I have urgent matters. If you’re here to waste my time about Ethan, please get out of my way. There is nothing to discuss between us. Besides, I won’t be fooled by your tactics,” Joanna snapped, her tone biting and filled with hostility. Even Joanna’s servants, who stood by from a respectful distance, now eyed Kallie with suspicion.

Undeterred, Kallie shook her head in response, quickly pulling out her phone to type a message in a bid to cut through the hostility. She held the screen up for Joanna to read, “I need to talk to you about Ethan. Please, just give me five minutes. That’s all I ask.”

Joanna crossed her arms, her smile sharp and cold. “I hope you have something worthwhile to say. I’m not known for my patience, and I have quite a temper. Remember, you approached me, so if I react poorly out of frustration, the blame is yours.”

Kallie nodded, understanding the warning. She took a deep breath to compose herself and began typing on her phone. With calm and straightforward honesty, she laid out the history, not shying away from mentioning Ethan’s past feelings for her. Kallie’s expression was controlled, devoid of either pride or shame, treating the recount as nothing more than a series of complicated events.

This forthrightness caught Joanna off guard, prompting her to reassess Kallie. Kallie continued to type more.

.

.

.