Chapter 79



“Jerome invited Kallie personally. What’s your problem with that?” Stella and her group were interrupted by a sudden voice. It was Brent, descending the staircase.

Brent clearly held a significant position within the younger generation of the Hayes family. The room fell silent the moment he appeared.

His statement hit like a bombshell. Kallie was personally invited by Jerome. Everyone suddenly remembered that Jerome had brought Kallie on as an advisor for the Hayes Group, offering her a generous salary.

The crowd that had been mocking Kallie moments earlier now turned pale, quickly distancing themselves from Stella. Some even began to cast scornful looks her way.

Isolated and exposed, Stella’s expression soured as the silence around her grew.

Ignoring her discomfort, Brent walked toward Kallie. “My grandpa is waiting for you. Let’s head to the study first.”

At Brent’s words, the room was filled with shock and awe. Jerome was waiting for Kallie and had invited her to the study. The younger generation had no right to keep Jerome waiting, and very few had the privilege of speaking with him alone in his study.

“Could she be dating Brent?” someone whispered once Kallie had left.

“That’s ridiculous! She’s Jake’s wife!” another retorted.

“Ah, so she’s favored because she’s Mrs. Reeves.”

“But aren’t Jake and Kallie having issues? I’ve heard rumors that he’s been seen with other women quite often.”

As the realization dawned that Jerome held Kallie in high regard, the crowd turned on Stella.

“Stella, are you trying to ruin the Hayes family’s reputation? We don’t tolerate ill-mannered behavior like yours!”

“Kallie is an advisor at the Hayes Group, outranking you! How could you speak so poorly of her?”

“Stella clearly hasn’t learned from her previous reprimand by Jerome. Now, she’s causing trouble for Kallie again.”

“Maybe there’s something wrong with her. We should send her to the hospital for a head check!”

Overwhelmed by the harsh criticism from her own family, Stella seethed with anger but also felt wronged. She was tempted to storm upstairs and confront Kallie directly.

At the end of the hallway on the second floor was Jerome’s study. Guided by Brent, Kallie felt a sense of déjà vu, noting how similar the layout was to Roderick’s study.

“Grandpa, Kallie is here,” Brent announced as he opened the door and discreetly closed it behind her after she entered.

Kallie smiled and offered Jerome a polite nod in greeting.

“Come in, Kallie!” Jerome welcomed her warmly. Once she was seated, he offered her some snacks. “I wasn’t sure what snacks young people prefer these days, so I had these specially prepared. Please, help yourself.”

The snacks were trendy and clearly prepared with care, bringing a delighted smile to Kallie’s face as she expressed her gratitude to Jerome.

Even Brent didn’t have the privilege of such a private conversation with Jerome, making Kallie even more curious about the discussions Jerome had with Roderick in the past.

“Kallie, you might think I’m being generous because of Roderick, but that’s not entirely the case,” Jerome began, his tone measured. “Your skills warrant the high salary and special treatment. You’re far more capable than those worthless youngsters in my family! Do you understand what I mean?”

Kallie nodded and gestured her gratitude for his appreciation, subtly hinting at her curiosity about what Roderick had told Jerome.

“I know you’re curious. No rush. I’ll explain everything,” Jerome said, signaling for her to relax. “You’re wondering about what Roderick told me before, and honestly, it’s quite simple.”

Kallie’s eyes widened slightly in anticipation.

“I owe Roderick a favor, and Roderick owed your biological grandfather one,” Jerome explained, pausing to take a sip of his drink, his gaze turning thoughtful. “Your biological grandfather, whom I never met personally, saved Roderick’s life. Without his intervention, Roderick wouldn’t have survived. Does that make sense?”

Kallie was stunned. She had always believed she was an orphan with no connection to any family stories.

“Roderick once saved my life as well. You know about his chronic knee injury from shrapnel, right? Well, that shrapnel was meant for me. It would have lodged in my head if Roderick hadn’t intervened.” Jerome tapped his temple thoughtfully.

“Roderick didn’t just offer me financial help when my family was struggling. He literally saved my life. So, when he asked for a favor, how could I refuse? I wouldn’t be able to face him in the afterlife if I didn’t help,” Jerome continued, his voice heavy with emotion.

Kallie’s eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded in understanding.

“But…” Jerome hesitated, his tone thick with regret. “I failed in another way. I let you endure so much pain after you married Jake…”

Kallie quickly gestured that it wasn’t his fault.

Jerome’s expression was clouded with guilt. “I should have been there for you. But after you married Jake, I didn’t check in on you. I didn’t ask how things were going. Even though I heard the rumors about Jake and Sarah and how people pitied you for tolerating it, I did nothing… It’s my fault.”

Kallie shook her head, her gestures saying, “Marriage is complicated. You can’t blame yourself. Besides, I didn’t feel unhappy before.”

She paused and then signed that she had decided to divorce Jake, and knowing Jerome was there to support her was enough.

“What? You’re thinking of divorcing Jake?” Jerome’s eyes widened in shock.

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