Chapter 198



“I need some rest now. Please, you’ll have to leave,” Jake said, his voice carrying a weight of weariness.

Sarah nodded, her concern etched clearly on her face. “Of course, Jake. Just remember, if anything comes up, the hospital staff can reach me anytime. Please, take care,” she urged softly before exiting.

As soon as Sarah was out of sight, the gentle facade in Jake’s eyes dissolved into a piercing chill.

Jake quickly retrieved his phone and made a call to Edgar. “Find the doctor who previously handled Kallie’s case. I need to speak with him privately. Make sure it’s discreet.”

Simultaneously, Kallie made her way into the grand Hayes family estate, accompanied by Boris and other members of the Hayes family.

This time, as Boris walked through the doors of the Hayes family estate, his usual air of complacency was absent. Instead, his face bore the marks of defeat, and his head was bowed low.

Turning around to face Kallie, Brent said sincerely, “I really shouldn’t have let you witness such a scene, but given that Boris and his mother had schemed against you for their own gains, I believe you deserve to see him and his mother face the music. Kallie, I’m sorry for making you go through today’s ordeals. The Hayes family should have noticed their schemes and intervened earlier.”

Kallie responded with a gentle shake of her head and a reassuring smile. She gestured that she understood the wrongdoings conducted by Boris and Sophia had nothing to do with the Hayes family.

Brent returned her smile, a silent acknowledgment passing between them, a mutual understanding that no further words were needed to explain the sentiments shared.

Jerome’s hands trembled slightly as he lifted himself out of the wheelchair and took his place in the main seat of the room.

Upon witnessing this, Boris and Sophia, who were forced to kneel, turned ghostly pale with shock.

Sophia, unable to contain her astonishment, burst out. “You are not sick at all! Have you been pretending all this time?”

Jerome regarded Boris and Sophia with an indifferent gaze. However, beneath his icy facade, a faint trace of sadness lingered in his eyes.

How could Jerome not feel sad? Sophia was his biological daughter, and though Boris had not been raised by his side, the blood they shared bound them. Yet, it was these two who conspired against him, plotting not just for his demise but also to seize control of the entire Hayes family.

Since Boris and Sophia returned to the family, Jerome had instructed Brent to treat them with nothing but fairness.

However, their actions repeatedly tested Brent’s patience, as they dangerously skirted the line, nearly selling off family secrets to outsiders on several occasions. Jerome, left with no other option, had warned Brent to remain vigilant around the duplicitous mother and son.

The situation escalated when Boris sought an alliance with Jake.

While Jake outwardly agreed to collaborate, he discreetly informed Jerome of the plot.

The revelation had compelled Jerome to become vigilant and cooperate in staging a play.

Overwhelmed with a surge of fury and betrayal, Jerome shouted, “You bastard!”

Jerome then stood up, steadied himself with his cane, and walked over to Boris. With a swift motion borne of anger and disappointment, he struck Boris across the face with a resounding slap.

Sophia’s displeasure erupted instantly. She screamed and lunged at Boris, her glare fixated on Jerome as though he were her sworn enemy. “How could you hit my precious son? Isn’t he your own grandson? If anything happens to him because of this, you’ll regret it.”

Brent looked at Sophia with a mixture of helplessness and pain. “Watch your tone when speaking to my grandpa. Have you forgotten that he is your father? Or is your son the only one you care about?”

Sophia showed no sign of remorse. Instead, her agitation only intensified. “Yes, Boris is my only family. Why should I care about you? Did any of you care about my well-being when I suffered at the hands of the Guzmans?”

Jerome’s anger surged, his breaths quickening as he pointed accusingly at Sophia, fury choking his words.

Kallie swiftly stepped forward to support Jerome, giving Sophia a stern look.

Deep down, envy simmered within Kallie.

Sophia, born into the Hayes family, was ungrateful for her privileged upbringing. Spoiled by her family’s affection, she lacked worldly wisdom, which ultimately led her to make a life-altering sacrifice out of infatuation for an unworthy man.

Some might argue Sophia deserved it. Thinking she had found her true love, despite her family’s reasonable disapproval, she resolutely chose her so-called love and grew distant from her kin.

Over the years, even though Jerome couldn’t bring himself to visit Sophia, he dutifully provided financial support, mostly from his personal savings.

While not substantial, it ensured Sophia’s family lived comfortably.

Unexpectedly, their desires knew no bounds. Boris’s father fell prey to gambling addiction, squandering the family fortune.

Jerome, unwilling to endorse such destructive behavior, offered Sophia and Boris a chance to return to the Hayes family.

However, Sophia had not only declined but also demanded continued financial support from Jerome.

Naturally, Jerome refused.

In response, Sophia herself severed all contact with Jerome.

While Sophia’s past actions could be chalked up to naivety and susceptibility to manipulation, subsequent events were entirely her responsibility.

Kallie even thought that if she had family members like Jerome, regardless of wealth or status, she would truly cherish them.

Despite knowing the whole truth, Jerome was still willing to give Sophia another chance.

After calming himself, Jerome took a deep breath and spoke calmly. “Sophia, I understand your susceptibility to manipulation and your lack of strong opinions. Was Boris behind all of this? You’re my daughter, and I know your nature. If you tell me the truth now, I won’t punish you. I’ll arrange for you to go abroad, and we won’t see each other again, but I’ll ensure your well-being.”

That sounded like no punishment at all.

Even Boris, positioned beside Sophia, widened his eyes in disbelief, marveling at Jerome’s leniency toward her. Sophia had a chance at a new life. Why couldn’t he have the same opportunity?

Sophia, however, looked resolute. “I will always choose my son over you, old man. No one can drive a wedge between Boris and me!”

Sophia’s defiant words were abruptly cut off when she witnessed Boris, in a pitiful state, crawling toward Jerome, desperately clinging to Jerome’s pant leg.

Boris’s voice was pleading as he spoke. “Grandpa, please forgive me. The plots to return to the Hayes family and the attempt to poison you were masterminded by my mother. I’m innocent. I didn’t partake in these dark deeds. How could I understand such machinations? Without my mother’s influence, how could I harbor such animosity toward you?

Since I was young, my mother filled my head with lies, painting you as heartless and deserving of death. I was deceived. While I admit I deserve punishment, remember, I am your grandson and a member of the Hayes family. It is my mother who is the true threat to our family, not me.”

Sophia stared in disbelief at her son, who had so completely twisted the truth and betrayed her. She gasped for air, the shock nearly causing her to faint.

Jerome looked down at Boris with a complex expression, and then, under Boris’s intense gaze, he raised his foot and delivered a fierce kick to Boris’s back.

“You spineless coward!” Jerome exclaimed. “What nonsense are you spouting? Without your mother, you wouldn’t even be here!”

Boris cried out in pain from the blow, and Sophia, previously quick to defend her son, now stood numbly to the side, tears streaming down her face, overwhelmed by the betrayal.

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