Chapter 62



When Kallie arrived at the Hayes Group building, Brent was already waiting for her at the entrance.

“This is Kallie, the advisor. From now on, she gets straight in,” Brent introduced Kallie to the front desk staff as he handed her an entry card, his smile unwavering.

Given Brent’s senior position at the Hayes Group, his personal welcome was unexpected and left many employees, including the newly joined Kallie, feeling quite honored. He wouldn’t typically extend such a courtesy to just any advisor.

“Mr. Hayes, there’s no need for the fuss. Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll manage from there,” Kallie typed on her phone, showing the screen to Brent.

“It’s no trouble at all. I happen to have the time today,” Brent remarked. He escorted Kallie to the ninth floor, which was currently vacant.

“This entire area is vacant for now. It’s set to become the first office of the Antiquities Research Department. Eventually, we’ll have a whole building dedicated to it,” Brent explained.

Kallie had thought a desk of her own would suffice, especially since this was her first job. Now, overseeing an entire office floor, her excitement was palpable.

“This is Irene Castillo. I’ve appointed her as your assistant. She’s fluent in sign language,” Brent introduced a woman with short hair, who greeted Kallie using sign language.

Kallie was initially taken aback and then expressed her gratitude repeatedly. Brent had thoughtfully provided an assistant who could communicate in sign language.

Kallie signed to Irene, explaining that Irene could speak to her as she could hear perfectly. She mentioned she just couldn’t respond verbally because of a vocal cord condition.

“Understood,” Irene replied, her expression unchanging, the epitome of professionalism.

Without dwelling on it much, Kallie headed to her new office, switched on the computer, and prepared to print the documents she had drafted earlier.

As Kallie settled in, Irene approached with a query. “Have you had breakfast? Would you like some coffee?”

Kallie, not usually a coffee drinker, had contemplated adopting the habit after a restless night and the realization that it seemed a staple for everyone in the office.

Smiling, Kallie responded to Irene by gesturing she had already had breakfast and didn’t mind having some coffee. She inquired where she could get herself a cup of coffee.

“Allow me to assist you. What’s your preferred flavor? I’ll make a note of it,” Irene said, pulling out a notebook with a flourish, giving the impression she was taking an important order.

This caught Kallie off guard, making her reluctant to respond with a nonchalant “whatever.” Unsure of her preferred flavor and slightly bewildered by Irene’s formal gesture to record such a trivial detail, she gestured that she would get some coffee herself when she was available.

“Is there anything else you need?” Irene inquired, her tone slightly peculiar.

Reflecting for a moment, Kallie saw an opportunity and asked through sign language whether Irene had been an employee at the Hayes Group.

“Yeah, I used to work in the planning department.”

Hearing this, Kallie gestured for Irene to take a look at the proposal she had written down, hoping for some insight. She presented the laptop screen to Irene.

As Irene approached, a trace of surprise flickered across her face, deepening as she took in what was displayed.

“Is this your work?” Irene’s voice conveyed a mix of astonishment and respect.

Kallie responded with a nod.

“You impress me! I had assumed…” Irene’s voice trailed off as a blush tinted her cheeks.

Irene lowered her head, sheepishly adding, “I thought you were just a Hayes family friend here for a show, with me as your assistant tasked solely with fetching coffee and meals.”

This explained Irene’s earlier defensive tone when inquiring about Kallie’s coffee preferences, masking her genuine discontent.

Shaking her head, Kallie clarified she was here to work since Mr. Hayes had given her this precious chance, stressing her intention to achieve remarkable achievements.

Irene’s competence was probably the reason she was reassigned as Kallie’s assistant.

That morning, they had set the initial work plan, delegating tasks within the Antiquities Research Department and preparing a report for Brent.

By noon, Kallie had the driver take her to the Reeves Group.

The journey was short since the Reeves Group was not far away from the Hayes Group. Upon Kallie’s arrival, a staff member from the Reeves family’s household was already waiting with a lunchbox.

Kallie expressed her gratitude and entered the building, the lunchbox in tow.

Having learned from the mistakes made by the dismissed receptionist, the new receptionist quickly ushered Kallie to the top floor using the express elevator.

Kallie knocked lightly on the CEO’s door, finding Jake alone at his desk.

After a brief glance his way, Kallie walked over to the table, crouched down, and began setting out the lunch she brought.

“Not made by you?” Jake inquired, peering over her shoulder with a slightly displeased look at the dishes.

Kallie clarified that the chefs at home had prepared this special nutritious meal.

Jake furrowed his brow, his expression darkening as he scanned Kallie from head to toe. “Why are you so dressed up? You didn’t come from home?”

After a brief pause, Kallie responded honestly that she had started working at the Hayes Group.

Kallie knew it was no use hiding it. Concealing the truth now would only complicate things later.

“You’re working again?” Jake’s tone was tinged with anger. “What happened to your previous promise to me?”

Kallie remained silent, not answering his question. She faced Jake, her expression emotionless, marked only by a blend of calmness and despair. She gestured that she had twenty million in her account now, ready to transfer to him anytime. She broached the topic of divorce once more, inquiring whether they could finalize their divorce now.

“You’re that eager for a divorce? You made twenty million in just a few days… No wonder you took the job at the Hayes Group! Is the money from the Hayes Group meant for our divorce? Does Brent know you plan to use it to leave me?”

Jake stepped closer to Kallie and demanded, “Are you really sleeping with Brent?”

Kallie shook her head, wishing she could tell him she was not like him and would never be unfaithful in their marriage.

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