Chapter 40



Kallie felt compelled to intervene, knowing that as Jake’s wife, she should prevent the chaos unfolding before her very eyes. Yet, inexplicably, her feet refused to move.

Beyond Sarah, whispers about Jake’s indiscretions had circulated within their social circle. Kallie wondered whether those women had attempted to entice Jake in similar ways.

She lingered in the shadows at the base of the staircase, ears tuned to the sounds drifting down from above. Jake could have been showering or possibly in his study.

As time passed, Kallie stood alert, half-expecting to catch a hint of suggestive noise. After all, Jake and Sarah had flaunted their disregard for her presence before, and now, with another woman visiting Jake, it seemed unlikely he’d consider her feelings.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the house, followed by a woman’s scream and a hurried apology. “I’m sorry! I’m so terribly sorry, Mr. Reeves. I… I entered the wrong room…”

The disturbance roused the butler and other servants. As the butler approached, he spotted Kallie by the stairs and gasped in surprise. “Madam?”

Looking upward, Kallie caught Jake’s stern gaze from the landing above. His expression was stormy, tinged with evident anger.

On the floor sat Yvette, clutching her shoulders as she wept and trembled.

“Did you orchestrate this?” Jake demanded, fixing his eyes on Kallie.

Kallie swiftly shook her head, denying any involvement in the debacle. The butler stepped in to clarify, “Sir, Miss Wilson is an acquaintance of your wife. Miss Wilson visited earlier today and returned just now, claiming she had left an earring behind…”

“In my study?” Jake cut off the butler mid-sentence.

“No, I… I entered the wrong room…” Yvette stammered.

“Your wife and her companions never went upstairs all afternoon,” the butler clarified.

“Are you here to steal documents?” Jake’s suspicion was evident as his eyes narrowed at Yvette.

Yvette’s fear escalated, and she shook her head vigorously. “No! No! I… I’m not…”

“Call the police. She’s attempting to steal the Reeves Group’s confidential documents,” Jake instructed the butler without any hint of patience.

Your favorite tales are on gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․çоnn “I’m not! I truly am not!” Yvette cried out in desperation, turning to Kallie for help. “Kallie! I was only trying to get close to Mr. Reeves, not to steal anything…”

Overwhelmed by anxiety, Yvette confessed the truth. The thought of being accused of stealing documents from the Reeves Group terrified her, and she feared imprisonment.

Kallie shifted her gaze away.

Yvette, likely feeling ashamed of her attempt to seduce Kallie’s husband and then seeking Kallie’s help, turned to the butler instead. She murmured hesitantly, “Please…”

The butler, catching Jake’s silent cue, scoffed at Yvette. “If you’re innocent, prove it. Let’s see your phone and conduct a body search. Otherwise, we’ll involve the police. The choice is yours.”

The prospect of a body search was demeaning for Yvette, especially in front of Kallie.

Yet, the alternative of involving the police seemed worse. Yvette was convinced Jake could manipulate the situation to have her detained. Even being detained briefly could stain her record and shatter her life.

So, with a clench of her jaw, Yvette conceded. “Alright, proceed with the body search.”

As she was escorted away by the butler, Yvette shot Kallie a look filled with bitterness.

Soon, it was just Jake and Kallie left on the staircase.

Kallie, too nervous to meet Jake’s gaze or advance, waited for Jake to ascend first. Contrary to her expectations, he descended, step by step, stopping directly in front of her. “You saw everything from down here, didn’t you? Watching her approach me, and you did nothing to stop her? Kallie, what the hell do you want?”

Kallie was at a loss for words. Suddenly, Jake grasped her chin, compelling her to meet his gaze.

“Do you find pleasure in watching others try to seduce me? Did you realize her intentions and intentionally invite her here?” Jake questioned sharply.

Frantically, Kallie shook her head. She had assumed Jake was accustomed to such situations and thought it wise to let him meet Yvette and decide for himself. What right did she have to turn people away on Jake’s behalf?

Yet, Kallie lacked the courage to share her real thoughts with Jake. Tears began to pool in her eyes.

Jake studied her tear-streaked face briefly before his expression unexpectedly softened into a smile. “She’s your colleague, right? How do you think she’ll treat you tomorrow at the studio?” he prodded.

A sense of foreboding washed over Kallie. Jake was correct. Regardless of the outcome, her relationship with Yvette was bound to become strained, likely earning her Yvette’s animosity. Particularly since there was someone at the studio close to Stella who might report back…

If Yvette was that informant, she would surely leverage Stella’s influence, perhaps even Sarah’s, to retaliate.

Kallie wasn’t afraid, but she wanted to avoid causing trouble for Hayden.

Observing the shift in Kallie’s expression, Jake realized she had grasped the gravity of the situation. Leaning closer, he whispered, “I can handle this for you, but you know what you need to do to please me, right?”

His fingers gently pinched her chin and then teasingly began to undo the buttons of her shirt, one by one.

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