Chapter 213



Blood trickled from the corner of Stan’s mouth.

Unfazed by pain, Stan raised his hand with deliberate slowness to clean the blood.

Jake’s dark eyes narrowed slightly. His patience had worn thin. Stan seemed unhinged to him.

Jake stated, “I’m not interested in what had happened between you and the person you had mistaken me for. I have just one question for you. Are you certain you want to play against me? And to ally yourself with the likes of Dean? I must say that’s such a lousy idea.”

Stan’s smile was chilling. “Dean might be a fool, but you deserve to die. No matter who I collaborate with, my goal is to never rest until you are dead.”

Jake’s anger flared, and his voice turned icy. “You might get the wrong idea about my temper. Make it past this doorway today, and I’ll make sure your end is particularly gruesome.”

Unshaken, Stan provoked Jake, saying, “Prove your strength then. Show me how you intend to end my life.”

With a swift move, Jake grabbed Stan by the collar, his taller frame intensifying the intimidation.

Stan locked eyes with Jake, a flicker of envy visible in his gaze. Jake had grown up enjoying the best educational conditions in the Reeves family.

Jake never harbored the deep-seated inferiority that plagued Stan, who always felt inadequate compared to others.

Stan remembered the first time he saw Jake on TV. Jake was dazzling, as if destined to be God’s favorite.

Now, face to face with Jake, Stan realized the media’s praises of Jake were not exaggerations.

Jake exuded the natural aura of a born leader, something Dean sorely lacked.

Stan was overwhelmed with envy. Why? Why did he have to live like a rat in the gutter while Jake had everything? Why?

Jake tightened his grip on Stan’s collar with minimal effort. His indifferent dark eyes reflected Stan’s pitiful state.

Jake remarked, “I’ll say this one last time. No matter your intentions, don’t try to provoke me, especially on my turf. Hand over Kallie, or today will mark your miserable end.”

Unexpectedly, Stan laughed, looking rather pleased with the confrontation. “Mr. Reeves, don’t underestimate the threats you’re facing. I have already drugged you. Want to know what else I will pull off? Try me.”

As Jake heard these words, a sharp sting punctured his finger. He glanced down to discover a needle hidden in Stan’s collar.

Releasing his grip, Jake staggered back a few steps. Drowsiness overwhelmed him swiftly.

Before blacking out, the last thing Jake saw was Stan’s smug grin.

When Jake regained consciousness, darkness had fallen. Edgar had been by Jake’s side, relieved to see him awaken.

Edgar said worriedly, “Mr. Reeves, it was too risky to go in alone. I didn’t dare move you to a hospital without your orders since you had passed out. I think you should get a full check-up. Who knows what he might have done to you?”

Still grappling with a throbbing headache, Jake massaged his temples and inquired, “Where is he?”

A hint of guilt colored Edgar’s response. “I’m sorry. I failed to catch him.”

Jake was not surprised by the outcome. “That man is very smart. I didn’t expect to catch him this time. The way he looks at me, it’s pure hatred. It makes things complicated.”

Edgar quickly said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Reeves. I will thoroughly investigate his background.”

But Jake shook his head. “Things are never simple. If he’s willing to go to such lengths to bring me down, even risking his own life, that indicates a level of danger we can’t ignore. I suspect there might be a connection to the Reeves family. Start by looking into Dean’s social connections.”

“Understood.”

Just then, someone knocked on the car window.

Jake’s bodyguards approached with a few dogs. One of the bodyguards handed over a mobile phone sealed in a plastic bag. “Mr. Reeves, we found this on the back mountain.”

Jake recognized it as Kallie’s phone immediately. He glanced at it and instructed, “Take this for fingerprint analysis.”

“Understood.”

Elsewhere, Kallie, having been dragged down the mountain by Courtney, reached the foot of the mountain with legs so weak that she could barely stand.

At this time, a black car pulled up in front of them.

The window rolled down to reveal Stan’s face. He first observed the exhausted Kallie and then cast a cold glance at Courtney.

Initially, Courtney felt guilty, but Stan’s reproachful gaze quickly ignited her anger. She suppressed her emotions and rudely pushed Kallie forward. “Get in the car.”

Too exhausted to argue, Kallie simply opened the car door and sat inside.

As Courtney attempted to follow Kallie into the car, Stan ordered, “You go to the car behind.”

Courtney clenched her teeth and protested. “Then Kallie also needs to come with me.”

Stan ignored her complaint and turned to offer Kallie a bottle of water, his tone much softer. “Are you tired? I apologize for your weary journey. I must say your husband was a bit difficult, but fortunately, I have dealt with him.”

Kallie’s hand trembled as she drank, her mind racing. What did Stan mean by “dealt with”? Had Jake fought with Stan, resulting in an injury?

Despite the turmoil inside, Kallie managed to maintain a calm exterior, nodding slightly in response.

Unbeknownst to Kallie, Stan had noticed her instinctive reaction, his smile deepening.

Suddenly, Stan reached out toward Kallie.

Startled, Kallie instinctively tried to dodge, but the confined space limited her movement.

To her surprise, Stan merely wiped the water droplets from her lips. “You’re about to become a mother. Why are you still so reckless?”

Hearing this, Kallie broke out in goosebumps. She managed to suppress her discomfort and turned her face away, refusing to meet Stan’s gaze.

Outside the car, Courtney’s face turned red with anger. She clenched and then relaxed her fists, dismayed that Stan had ignored her throughout. With no other option, Courtney left the scene sulkily.

To Kallie’s surprise, the car stopped in front of a luxurious villa complex. It was clear they had left the city behind.

As they drove through the gates, Kallie noticed the entrance was heavily guarded by security personnel in full gear and patrolling bodyguards.

A troubling thought arose in Kallie’s heart. She felt she might be trapped here forever.

The security was so tight that it seemed not even a fly could escape.

Stan, proving to be a man of his word, arranged for Kallie to stay in a small, detached apartment within the complex. He made sure that no one disturbed her.

However, there was one stipulation: Courtney had to live with Kallie.

Since Courtney was a doctor, she could monitor Kallie’s physical condition at any time.

Before Kallie could express her objections, Courtney voiced her dissatisfaction, “I refuse. She seems delicate, and I’m not fond of tending to others.”

Kallie nodded, typing her response. “I don’t need the hassle of someone living and dining with me. I’m used to being alone.”

Stan observed the exchange in silence, his gaze on Courtney cold and unyielding.

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