Chapter 214



Courtney immediately sensed the threat lurking in Stan’s gaze.

Feeling she was being treated unfairly, Courtney stepped forward, seized Stan’s hand, and whispered, “Mr. Reeves, I’ve been loyally by your side, day and night, for the last three years without a single day’s absence. I…”

“Courtney Smith!” Stan cut her off with sharp impatience. “As I’ve told you, Kallie is crucial to me. Her safety, and that of the unborn child, is my priority.”

On the sidelines, Kallie listened in silence, aware of the deeper reasons behind Stan’s words. But the good news was that she was in no immediate danger. She relaxed slightly.

Meanwhile, Courtney’s frustration boiled over, and tears streaked her cheeks. It was rare for her to lose her composure like this. Her fists were clenched tightly, fingernails digging into her palms.

Stan gestured for Courtney to come closer, then pulled her aside and murmured, “Can’t you be more understanding? Have you forgotten why you’re here with me?”

Courtney’s eyes brimmed with tears as she said, “Of course, I haven’t forgotten. I need to protect you and ensure you’re safe.”

Stan exhaled deeply. “By looking after Kallie and her unborn child, you’re protecting me. Now that Jake is aware of the situation, it’s only a matter of time before he targets me. Using Kallie as leverage secures my safety. Plus, her child is crucial.”

Courtney sighed, her voice tinged with confusion. “I just can’t grasp why you’re so tender with her.”

Stan clasped Courtney’s hand and gently kissed the back of it.

Courtney’s cheeks flushed, and her eyes shimmered with bashfulness.

Stan said gently, “My kindness to her is merely a facade to gain her trust. The care I show you is heartfelt. Can’t you see the difference?”

Courtney’s heart held only Stan, who could lift her spirits with just a few words.

“It’s my fault.” Courtney was overwhelmed with a mix of surprise and guilt. “My feelings for you are so strong that they cloud my judgment and make me lose my temper. Stan, don’t fret. I’ll take good care of her.”

Stan gently patted Courtney’s head. “Get some rest,” he murmured.

As Courtney walked away, a chill seemed to settle over Stan’s features, his eyes growing distant and frosty.

At that moment, a man approached Stan. “Mr. Reeves, I know it’s really not my place, but Courtney’s medical skills aren’t the best, particularly in obstetrics and gynecology. She’s quite inexperienced in that field. Plus, she left the hospital years ago because of severe psychological issues. Isn’t it risky to have her look after Kallie?”

Stan’s response was icy. “I never counted on her to properly care for Kallie. Eventually, Jake will find out. And when he does, whatever happens to Kallie won’t concern me. I can shift all the blame on Courtney.”

The man beside Stan inhaled sharply, though he was hardly shocked by Stan’s calculated indifference. He had always known Stan to be this way, seemingly devoid of normal human emotions.

The man gently warned, “That person will be returning soon. You should prepare yourself mentally.”

Upon hearing this, Stan, who was usually the epitome of composure, for the first time, displayed a flicker of fear and panic in his eyes.

It was a secret shared only between the two of them. Stan’s wealth and accomplishments were not the fruits of his own labor. Rather, they belonged to a truly fearsome demon, the rightful owner of everything.

Meanwhile, Jake carried on with his daily routines as if nothing perturbed him, seemingly showing no concern for the search for the mysterious man and Kallie.

Edgar made little moves openly regarding this.

Lately, Jake had noticed an increase in the number of prying eyes on him. While these observers were not close to him, their watchful gazes were unmistakable. They might have been colleagues from his company or perhaps servants from the Reeves family.

That day, Edgar entered Jake’s office with a grave look on his face. “Mr. Reeves.”

Jake, appearing somewhat exhausted, set aside the items he was holding. Throughout the day, Jake attended to his corporate responsibilities, interacting with Sarah as though all was well. Yet, at night, he remained vigilant, monitoring his team’s search for Kallie.

Noticing Edgar’s peculiar look, Jake briefly entertained the hope that there might be updates on Kallie’s whereabouts.

“Is it about Kallie? How is…” Jake began, but Edgar cut him off mid-sentence with a strategic cough.

Before Edgar could clarify, a sudden shove displaced him.

Entering was Brent, visibly seething with rage.

Though they had butted heads on several occasions, Jake had never witnessed Brent this enraged.

Known as the most controlled member of the Hayes family, Brent typically masked his feelings well.

The fury in Brent’s eyes led Jake to immediately conclude that his visit concerned Kallie.

A shadow passed over Jake’s face as he rose to his feet.

At the door, Edgar stood, his expression one of concern, flanked by visibly agitated secretaries.

Jake turned to the secretaries. “I need to speak with Mr. Hayes privately. There’s no need for you to stay. I’ll call if necessary.”

With a quiet sigh, Edgar ushered the others out and gently shut the door.

“Jake,” Brent began, his voice tight with emotion. “Previously, you demanded Kallie’s return, using the crucial information for the Hayes Group as a bargaining chip. I didn’t hold it against you. I know my lack of stellar competence is at play. Plus, Kallie’s sense of guilt toward the Hayes family had driven her to agree to your condition. You had promised to look after her. Yet now, her whereabouts are unknown to us all, and you are unwilling to tell us what exactly happened. If something unfortunate happened to Kallie, you’re no different from a murderer. Did you see her in your dreams? Did her look of disappointment and pain haunt you?”

Jake clenched his fists tightly before letting them go, his frustration apparent.

“I’ve told you before that I wasn’t there when it happened, and we’re still trying to figure it out.” Jake masked his inner turmoil and lied. “We’re governed by laws. What do you think could’ve happened to her? Everyone’s just after money. Can’t the powerful Hayes Group handle a ransom?”

Brent’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t pay a ransom to save Kallie? How can you be so cold?”

As Brent hurled the accusation, Jake couldn’t help but find a trace of humor in the situation. “Why should I pay a ransom? As her husband? Or as the father of her child?”

Jake’s sarcasm was lost on Brent, who only saw cruelty in Jake.

In a burst of anger, Brent lunged forward, grabbing Jake by the shirt. “If Kallie makes it back safely, I swear I’ll show her who you really are. You don’t deserve her deep love!”

“Her deep love…” Jake repeated, these words feeling foreign on his lips.

Rather than reacting with anger, Jake responded with a question, “Are you saying she deeply loves me?”

This only infuriated Brent further, interpreting Jake’s question as a provocation.

“What on earth does Kallie see in Jake?” Brent asked quietly.

Fuming, Brent clenched his fist, poised to strike Jake.

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