Chapter 373



Reluctantly, Melinda gritted her teeth and slapped herself hard.

Grimacing from the slap she had delivered to herself, Melinda signaled Zuri to put on an act, striving to appear miserable. Zuri bowed to Kallie without hesitation, her lips twitching downward.

To be honest, this gesture softened Kallie’s heart. She guessed Zuri to be only about four years old. Yet, Zuri seemed smaller than most, timid with large eyes that scanned the room cautiously.

Ever since Sophie’s arrival, Kallie found it hard to be stern with little girls. After pursing her lips for a moment, Kallie finally sighed softly. “I’ll give you what you want, but you need to pay me for it.”

“Alright! Thank you!” Overjoyed, Melinda nodded vigorously and blurted out shamelessly, “Since you’re making concessions, you must be ready to bury the hatchet. Even though you and Jake are divorced, I still see you as part of the Reeves family. I really valued that painting you’re willing to part with. Remember, if you ever run into trouble in Burmoos, just let me know. The Reeves family has got your back!”

Kallie nearly let slip a cold smirk, gesturing instead for a bodyguard to bring over the box containing the painting. Melinda took the box gleefully and departed without spending a single penny.

Liza frowned slightly. “Kallie, why did you just hand it over like that? Do you actually believe that woman’s words?”

Rubbing her temples, Kallie responded, “I don’t believe a single word from her, and the Reeves family isn’t strong enough to support anyone.”

“But…” Liza hesitated momentarily.

Kallie smiled reassuringly and said, “Don’t stress. I didn’t charge her a single penny for the painting because I needed her to pay in other ways.

Now that she’s agreed and taken the painting away, she has to face whatever I have in store for her. Do you remember the plan I laid out for you?”

“Yes. I’ll get on it immediately,” Liza replied with a nod. Kallie waved her hand dismissively.

As Liza walked out of the villa, the butler rushed in. Noticing the butler’s anxious look, Kallie’s brows knitted together, sensing a sinking feeling.

“What’s wrong? Is something up with Sophie at kindergarten today?” Kallie, planning to settle in Avalon for a while, had decided Sophie should start schooling in Burmoos. Kallie had enrolled Sophie in a local kindergarten, and today was supposed to be Sophie’s first day.

Initially, Kallie had planned to take Sophie there personally, but unexpected events disrupted her plan. Tyrone had offered to take Sophie instead. Kallie, still concerned, had instructed the butler to ensure a group accompanied them.

The butler, wiping sweat from his brow, was on the verge of responding when Sophie burst into the room, crying.

“Mammy, it’s my fault. I didn’t take good care of Great-grandpa,” Sophie said as she sobbed.

Kallie’s breath caught in her throat, her voice anxious. “What happened?”

Sophie pouted and cried louder. “Great-grandpa is missing. I couldn’t find him when I came out of kindergarten. It’s all my fault!”

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