Chapter 378



Holding a glass of red wine, Kallie approached Stan with a composed smile and said smoothly, “Congratulations, Mr. Reeves.”

Stan tensed at the sound of Kallie’s voice. Since Kallie’s return, a string of misfortunes had befallen him, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that her presence brought trouble.

Now, every time he saw Kallie, an instinctive urge to keep his distance kicked in. At that moment, surrounded by so many people, Stan forced a strained, uneasy smile and asked, “Kallie, what exactly do you mean by that?”

“Isn’t it a good thing that I helped you take care of those who were being disobedient?” Kallie beamed with warmth, her bright eyes sparkling. Her smile seemed to convey heartfelt congratulations.

Stan’s mood soured. He knew that letting go of Courtney was the smartest move he could make at that particular time.

Yet, he had to confess that operating without Courtney was proving to be a real hassle. Finding someone as compliant yet quick-witted as Courtney wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight.

Stan couldn’t resist saying, “Kallie, I think it’s been long enough for you to move past this. Nothing really happened to you. Plus, Courtney didn’t act with malice. If you push this further, it’s practically challenging the Reeves family. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to stir up trouble before you have firmly established yourself in Avalon.”

Was he threatening her? Kallie’s thoughts were laced with disdain. Outwardly, she nodded with serious composure. “You are right. I can let Courtney come back to you.”

Stan smiled at her words, satisfied. But then Kallie added, her voice cool and measured, “It really depends on whether you can afford the risk of asking Courtney to handle things for you after everything.

I would advise against it. She is deeply disappointed with you now. Moreover, she has suffered a great deal at my hands with you being the direct reason. Therefore, she harbors resentment toward both of us.”

Stan’s smile faltered, his expression growing tense. Kallie maintained her bright smile, but her eyes remained cold. Stan’s fists clenched at his sides. For years, he had become adept at concealing his emotions. But this mask always slipped in the presence of two people. One was Jake, and the other was Kallie.

Strangely, Stan saw so much of Jake in Kallie, almost as if she was a mirror image of him. That realization didn’t sit well with Stan. Though preferring not to involve herself in others’ affairs, Melinda watched as Stan struggled to keep his feelings in check. With a sigh, she said to her daughter, “Zuri, look, Sophie is here. Why don’t you go play with her?”

Zuri’s demeanor was a far cry from the humble and flattering persona she had displayed during her previous visit to Kallie’s place. Now, Zuri was impeccably dressed and looked cute and noble. With her chin held high and an imperious gaze, she looked down her nose at everyone around her. Her manners were anything but polite.

Yet, Kallie understood. Zuri was young and not sensible, driven by vanity and a desire to save face, needing to uphold her dignity in the public eye. Kallie didn’t respond right away. She lowered her gaze and focused on Sophie.

Sophie’s eyes brightened as she looked up and smiled sweetly. “I want to play with Zuri, Mommy. Can I?”

Kallie gently patted Sophie’s head. “Sure, sweetheart. Just remember not to wander too far, and be polite.”

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