Chapter 21



Tears cascaded down Kallie’s cheeks. She ached to defend herself, yet all she could muster were muffled, panicked noises.

Kallie’s hands shook as she grabbed her phone to type a message. “Would you believe me if I told you it wasn’t true?”

Jake’s gaze bore into Kallie, his eyes a turbulent sea of emotions. “Do you realize how much effort I put into that project? All those nights without sleep? We lost the bid, and the company’s down nearly a hundred million. And for what? You traded the confidential files for a mere million?”

Jake seized Kallie’s chin, forcing her gaze to meet his, his grip so tight that Kallie found it hard to breathe. “Haven’t I given you enough? Enough money for your needs and enough freedom? When did you decide to divorce me? Is this your revenge?”

Frantically, Kallie shook her head, her eyes wide with fear. She loved Jake so much. The thought of betraying him was unbearable. She hadn’t touched the money he provided. How could she possibly sell his documents just for personal gain? Yet, she had indeed walked into his study, never disturbing anything, but now she was unable to prove her innocence.

“She didn’t do it! Why won’t you believe her? She can’t breathe! Let her go!” Linsey struggled to pull Jake away, but he remained immovable.

Only when Kallie’s complexion shifted to an alarming shade of red did Jake let go.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps resonated from the doorway. “Who called the cops?”

It was Linsey who had dialed 911 to have the man lying on the ground arrested. She hadn’t anticipated the situation spiraling like this.

“There’s been a misunderstanding…” As Linsey began her explanation, the man on the floor interrupted loudly, “Kallie! Kallie has been blackmailing me! She left me no choice!”

“And who is Kallie? What did she allegedly blackmail you for?” A police officer entered, his penetrating stare settling on Kallie.

Seeing Jake, however, the officer didn’t act immediately.

“Mr. Reeves, please understand! Kallie has adored you since childhood and looked up to you. Even after she became your wife, she bore so much silently…” Linsey’s voice cracked under the strain.

All eyes shifted to Jake, whose expression darkened with fury as he stepped closer to Kallie, towering over her. “Is there anything else you want to add?”

Kallie brushed away her tears and grabbed her phone to type a message again. “Does it even matter what I say if you won’t believe me?”

“Fine,” Jake muttered, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Jake faced the police with a cold sneer. “She’s the one who stole my documents, costing my company nearly a hundred million. Arrest her for further questioning.”

“Jake, no!” Linsey’s scream pierced the air as she lunged forward, only to be restrained.

“It was me! I admit it! I did everything! Take me instead! Kallie’s just injured and malnourished. She’s in no state to be interrogated!” Frantically, Linsey tried to reach Kallie but was blocked by the officers.

Chaos erupted in the room as the police moved to remove Kallie from her bed.

As she was hauled away, Kallie caught Sarah’s smug look.

Kallie’s eyes met Sarah’s briefly, understanding dawning on her, before shifting to Jake. She tried to speak and garner Jake’s attention, her voice quivering as she uttered the only word she could articulate after her vocal cords were damaged, “Jake…”

Jake spun around to face Kallie, his eyes meeting her weakened form in the hospital gown.

The next second, Kallie collapsed, her body failing her as she fell to the floor.

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