Chapter 38



Kallie stood there stunned for a moment before shaking her head vehemently, gesturing that she couldn’t accept the gift, as it was far too valuable.

“It’s really no big deal. You were quite adored by Roderick…” Jerome sighed, giving Kallie’s hand a gentle pat. “You deserve all the good things in life.”

Jerome’s eyes filled with emotion. The smart, spirited young Kallie had lost some of her sparkle after her marriage to Jake. But today, standing up in front of everyone, reclaiming her passion and proving her strength, Jerome felt like he was seeing glimpses of the old Kallie.

Thanks to Jerome’s high regard, Kallie became the center of attention for the rest of the event.

Before, people had only acknowledged her as Jake’s wife, calling her Mrs. Reeves. Now, they addressed her by her first name, shook hands, and even picked up some basic sign language to communicate with her.

Kallie felt as though she was in a dream, transported back to her days as the beloved adopted daughter of the Reeves family, once again the star of the event. It wasn’t her title that mattered; it was her talent and capability that shone through.

“She’s too thin.” Jake’s voice broke through Kallie’s reverie, pulling her back to reality.

She then realized that Jake had commented on her being too thin after someone had just praised her slim figure.

“Proper nutrition is essential. My daughter isn’t a big eater, so I hired a nutritionist and chef for her…” A guest continued, addressing Jake.

Kallie expected Jake to grow impatient with the conversation, but surprisingly, he listened with genuine interest.

As the banquet ended, Jake and Kallie left together. In the backseat of the car, Kallie smiled contentedly.

“Happy?” Jake asked, turning to look at her.

Kallie nodded slowly, carefully gauging his reaction. In the past, he had been reluctant to let her attend social events. Would he think she had embarrassed him tonight? But she felt she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Do you enjoy your work as a restorer?” Jake asked further.

Encouraged by his calm tone, Kallie nodded enthusiastically, her smile widening. She was truly happy to have rediscovered her worth.

However, Jake’s expression darkened. He remembered Kallie’s reason for becoming a restorer: to quickly earn twenty million dollars, pay him, and then divorce him. Was she so eager for their separation? Did the thought of divorcing him fill her with such joy that she couldn’t suppress her smile?

Noticing Jake’s sour mood, Kallie quickly bowed her head, stifling her smile. She assumed her inability to speak was always a source of shame for him.

That night, Jake didn’t return to the villa, a routine Kallie had grown accustomed to.

The next morning, however, she was greeted by an unexpected commotion. Coming down the stairs, she found a crowd of people in white uniforms and chef’s hats filling the living room.

Jake stood by the doorway, one hand casually in his pocket while he focused on his phone. As soon as he noticed Kallie, he looked up and stated firmly, “These nutritionists and chefs are here for you. Since you’re undernourished, you need to start taking better care of yourself.”

Stunned, Kallie recalled the previous day’s conversation. A guest had mentioned hiring nutritionists for his daughter, and now Jake had done the same for her. Was this his way of showing care?

The thought flickered briefly before she dismissed it. Jake probably just thought her slender frame was embarrassing. Perhaps he preferred fuller figures, like Sarah’s.

Kallie nodded at Jake.

“From now on, they’ll handle your three meals a day. Make sure you eat at home—no more takeout,” Jake added, his tone leaving no room for debate.

His words seemed to carry an unspoken reference to the takeout Gregory had brought her recently.

Even though the takeout came from a high-end private kitchen near the studio, Kallie chose not to argue. She remained silent.

She hesitated but then cautiously asked if she could take her meals to the studio, explaining that her restoration work was important, and returning home for lunch every day would be impractical.

Jake’s response was firm. “Food is best when it’s freshly cooked. Is your work really more important than eating properly?”

Kallie quickly shook her head, agreeing to come home for lunch. She understood that Jake didn’t approve of her working outside the house, and she didn’t want to push the issue.

“Just let the nutritionist know your preferences,” Jake said before walking away.

Kallie hurried to the dining table. When Jake wasn’t around, she pulled out her phone and texted Gregory, asking if she could cut her workday to half so she could manage lunch at home.

Gregory replied promptly, “Sure, you can come in whenever you’re free.”

Kallie sighed with relief, but before she could respond, another message from Gregory appeared on her screen. “Does your husband make you eat all your meals at home? Is he controlling everything? Have you ever considered getting a divorce? I can recommend a good lawyer if you need one.”

Kallie’s hands trembled as she read the message. Gregory’s directness caught her off guard, leaving her speechless. She knew she had to delete the message before Jake saw it.

But as soon as she hit delete, Jake’s voice came from behind her.

“Who are you texting?” he asked.

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