Chapter 181



Kallie believed she had nothing to conceal. Everything belonged to the past. She harbored no affection for Ethan and wished Joanna would trust her husband. Ethan couldn’t leave Joanna right away, but he might be trying.

Love couldn’t be forced. Even without Kallie in the picture, Ethan’s feelings for Joanna might never deepen, and he could possibly fall for someone else.

Joanna found it hard to immediately counter Kallie’s assertions. With a forced smile tinged with resentment, she retorted, “So, you’re implying my husband still cares for you, and I should just forgive you both?”

Kallie shook her head, typing her response. “What I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t be trapped in a relationship without a future. Ethan needs to realize this, and so do you.”

Joanna’s gaze shifted. “Is that everything you wanted to say?” she asked sharply.

Kallie nodded and gently rested a hand on her stomach, smiling faintly. She resumed typing. “I probably shouldn’t be saying this, and you might think I’m interfering, but I’m pregnant and could be seen as a threat to your relationship with Ethan. If you and Ethan are truly meant to be, I genuinely hope you find happiness together.”

Joanna pressed her lips tightly, her tone icy. “Time’s up. I’m leaving.”

Kallie gave a nod and moved aside. She wasn’t sure if her words had made an impact on Joanna, but she had spoken her piece. Now, it was Joanna’s choice to believe her or not.

Exiting the hotel, Joanna scanned her surroundings. “He still hasn’t come?” she asked.

Joanna had texted Ethan when she decided to leave, half-hoping to provoke a reaction.

Joanna was aware that her departure might seem abrupt, yet she was curious about how Ethan would respond. Ideally, he would have come out to inquire why she suddenly decided to leave. Maybe they would have even argued, a sign that he cared.

But Ethan showed no response, indifferent to whether she stayed or not. They might as well have been strangers.

Despite anticipating this, a sharp sting of hurt still took Joanna by surprise. She clenched her fists tightly.

Her servant leaned in and whispered, “Madam, should we call him and say you’re unwell?”

Joanna straightened up, her voice frosty. “What’s the point? I refuse to coerce him into loving me.”

The servant offered a gentle suggestion. “Madam, maybe you should speak with him. It’s better to express your feelings than to keep them suppressed.”

Joanna shot her a chilly glance. “So, Kallie’s words have convinced you?”

The servant shook her head quickly. “No, it’s not like that. I know you have issues with her, but she did raise some good points. Dwelling on the past only causes you more pain.”

Joanna bit her lip, struggling to muster her thoughts. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. “Yes, she made some valid points. She seems level-headed, but I’ve encountered all types of people. Haven’t you heard the rumors about her? Maybe she’s merely a skilled actress.

Regardless, I’ll always be wary of her. Call the driver to pick me up. You stay here and watch Ethan. If he approaches Kallie, inform me at once.”

“Alright.” The servant nodded.

As Kallie made her way back, she collided with a drunk man. She stumbled and nearly fell.

The man hit the ground with a moan.

Startled, Kallie quickly moved forward to help him to his feet and typed on her phone, “Are you okay?”

The man, a middle-aged fellow, scrutinized her. “I was walking just fine until you ran into me. Now you’re asking if I’m okay? You must be kidding!”

Kallie’s brow furrowed at his hostile tone. It was he who had bumped into her, and she had merely been courteous.

Deciding not to waste her time arguing with this man, Kallie stepped back, giving up the idea of trying to help him up, and turned around, her expression stern. She was ready to leave.

“Stop right there!” he bellowed, struggling to rise from the ground.

Just then, a woman, cradling a child, hurried over. She helped the man to his feet and positioned herself in front of him. “Honey, you’ve had too much to drink. Let’s go home now. Please don’t cause a scene,” she pleaded softly.

The woman cast an apologetic glance over her shoulder at Kallie, who responded with a sympathetic nod.

However, the man’s anger flared. He raised his hand and struck the woman sharply across the face. “Who are you to order me around? Get lost!” he barked.

The child in the woman’s arms burst into tears at this sudden attack.

Unable to tolerate the man any longer, Kallie stepped in and positioned herself protectively in front of the woman and her child. She typed to warn him sternly. “This is a celebration. I don’t know who you think you are, but this isn’t the place to make enemies.

Lay a hand on her again, and I’ll have you thrown out.”

The man scoffed derisively. “Oh? Call them then. I’m right here.”

Kallie quickly typed a message to summon security, but as she was about to send it, the man knocked the device from her grip.

The man approached Kallie with a threatening sneer.

The woman, still holding her child, stood frozen behind Kallie, her eyes wide with fear. It was clear she had suffered his wrath more times than she could count.

Kallie’s determination to protect the woman and her child only intensified as she stood her ground, her expression unyielding.

“Oh, acting tough?” the man sneered, his smile twisting cruelly. “Let’s see how tough you are later.”

With one hand, the man seized Kallie’s wrist, while his other hand was poised to strike her.

Suddenly, a forceful kick landed on the man’s back.

The man let out a cry of pain and spun around to hurl insults, only to clamp his mouth shut upon recognizing his assailant.

Jake stepped forward without hesitation and struck the man directly in the face. “Do you realize where you are? Looking for trouble here seems like a death wish.”

Jake’s presence was imposing, his cold gaze seemingly capable of freezing the man in his tracks.

Subdued and fearful, the man dropped to his knees, clutching his face. He remained silent, his eyes wide with fear as he stared up at Jake.

Seeing Jake caught Kallie off guard. He had left abruptly earlier that day, and she hadn’t expected him to reappear so soon. Memories of the previous night flickered through her mind at the sight of him.

Jake sensed Kallie’s eyes on him but didn’t return her gaze.

His distant demeanor left Kallie feeling a pang of disappointment. Perhaps his behavior the night before was because of the alcohol. She doubted his intervention was driven by concern for her. It seemed more likely that he was motivated by the fact that they were at Sarah’s birthday celebration.

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