Chapter 72



Kallie clenched her jaw, her eyes subtly quivering as she faced the reality of her situation. She understood all too well that wherever she went, complications seemed to follow. But did that mean she should resign herself to being controlled by Jake for the rest of her life?

Kallie lifted her gaze to meet Jake’s, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination and anger that refused to fade. The intensity in her stare was something Jake hadn’t seen in her before, leaving him momentarily taken aback.

“Jake, let’s not force her. If Kallie isn’t willing, I’ll step back from the shoot. We should give her the choice,” Sarah interjected, her voice dripping with feigned concern.

Kallie looked at Sarah with a blank expression and gestured that she didn’t mind Sarah leaving and could handle the shoot alone.

“Kallie says you can leave. She’ll start filming as soon as you’re out of here,” Irene relayed, her voice tinged with irritation.

“Alright, let’s have Kallie take over then. We’re ready to go,” the director chimed in, quickly moving to prepare the set. It seemed everyone in the room was subtly urging Sarah to exit.

Surprised by the turn of events and feeling sidelined, Sarah looked to Jake for support. However, Jake’s eyes remained fixed on Kallie, his expression intense and thoughtful, showing no inclination to come to Sarah’s aid.

After the successful shoot, Kallie’s professionalism was recognized by the university, which sent her a letter of appreciation. Feeling proud, Kallie snapped a picture of the letter and posted it on her social platform, smiling broadly in satisfaction.

Kallie was discovering a new sense of happiness—a stark contrast to the subdued existence she had endured under Jake’s control, where she often felt more like a possession than a partner. Back then, she lived in constant anxiety, tiptoeing around Jake’s temper and the delicate dynamics between him and Sarah. But why should she continue to consider their feelings when hers were consistently ignored?

“It’s said that Miss Hayes is coming to the company later for an inspection!”

As Kallie focused on her work at the Hayes Group, snippets of conversation floated around the office. Normally, office gossip didn’t catch her attention, but a familiar name sparked her curiosity this time.

“Stella? She always stirs up drama during inspections,” someone commented dismissively.

“Yeah, she makes a big show of it, but no one really takes her seriously. She doesn’t have any real power,” another voice added with a chuckle.

“Besides, she won’t even come to our department, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Despite these reassurances, Kallie couldn’t help but feel a twinge of apprehension about Stella’s impending visit. Stella had a personal grudge against her, and Kallie wondered if she might stir up trouble. However, considering that Brent and Jerome had personally invited her to the company, she hoped Stella wouldn’t dare challenge their authority.

But Kallie soon realized she had underestimated Stella’s audacity.

A disturbance in the corridor broke the morning calm, followed by Stella’s piercing voice.

“A new department, you say? I’ve had experience in antique restoration. Maybe I should drop in for a lesson,” Stella declared confidently.

Kallie’s heart raced. It seemed Stella was heading her way, intent on causing trouble. Stella’s previous attempt to sabotage Kallie’s work had backfired, with Stella publicly exposed and humiliated for breaking an antique that Kallie had restored.

While the incident cleared Kallie’s name, it left Stella bitter. Despite being reprimanded by Jerome, Stella’s grudge against Kallie hadn’t waned. Now that she had learned of Kallie’s position at the Hayes Group, Stella seemed determined to cause more trouble.

The clicking of high heels grew louder, announcing Stella’s approach. She finally appeared in the doorway, dressed in a strikingly bright pink outfit that made her impossible to ignore.

“Kallie, so we meet again!” Stella exclaimed with false surprise, though she had clearly known Kallie was working there. “So, this is where you’re employed now. It explains the noise I’ve been hearing since I arrived. It seems your ability to disrupt peace remains unchanged!”

Kallie stood from her desk, meeting Stella’s gaze with a calm, stoic expression. The office had been quiet, the only disruption being Stella’s dramatic entrance.

Kallie knew exactly why Stella was here—to nitpick and stir up trouble, fabricating issues to create conflict.

“Even if this department is new, you need to follow company guidelines. The way these cabinets are arranged violates our standards. Rearrange them immediately, or expect a penalty,” Stella demanded, gesturing toward the cabinets in the corner.

“The items stored there are sensitive to heat, which is why they’re placed away from the windows, following company regulations,” Irene responded sharply, countering Stella’s false claim.

Irene, who had dealt with Stella’s antics before, had no patience for her now. She wasn’t about to let Stella’s baseless accusations go unchallenged.

“Did you file a request for these changes, or are you just moving things around as you please? Look at your manager! She doesn’t even understand the company’s policies. She’s nothing but a housewife who’s never held a real job. How dare she come in here and dictate what we do?” Stella spat, her disdain for Kallie obvious.

Kallie had been prepared for Stella’s tactics. Earlier, she had discreetly composed a message on her phone, anticipating Stella’s provocation. Now, she calmly showed the message to Stella: “Does Jerome know about the fire incident?”

Jerome had once apologized to Kallie on Stella’s behalf after she had slandered Kallie at a party. Upon reflection, Kallie realized that the fire incident at the bookstore, a significant event, was unknown to other members of the Hayes family.

As expected, Stella’s arrogant demeanor faltered upon reading the message, her face contorting with fear and anger.

“You think you can threaten me?” Stella hissed through clenched teeth. “What are you so proud of?”

Then, her expression shifted to a smug sneer. “You know what? Hannah is marrying my cousin soon! She’s not only my close friend but also your mother-in-law’s niece. Soon, your mother-in-law will side with me. So, tell me, how long do you think you’ll last in this position?”

.

.

.