Chapter 807



Kallie managed a forced, weak smile, unable to respond. Cody then turned his attention to Freya, who was lingering nearby, and scowled with impatience. “Who told you to come here? Leave!”

Freya, older and more defiant than Rola, protested, “Father, I wish to attend today’s banquet. See, I’ve dressed for it.”

Cody just scoffed. “Then I’ll have the servants ruin your dress.”

To others, it sounded like Cody was merely threatening Freya.

But Freya knew better. Cody could actually follow through, even though she was his daughter.

Stung by the humiliation, Freya bit her lip and walked out, throwing a furious glare at Kallie as she left.

Kallie, however, remained unbothered by Freya’s anger. She turned to Cody and asked, “Are you trying to make an example out of them?” It was clear he wanted her to understand that his ruthlessness extended even to his own family. If he could treat his daughters this way, then outsiders would get no mercy.

Cody raised an eyebrow, surprised by her insight. When not consumed by anger, he seemed like a straightforward and honest man. “Miss Nixon, you’ve got it wrong. I genuinely feel bad for what my daughter did to your girl, and I truly hope we can be friends.

If I’ve given you the wrong impression, I don ‘t know how else to make it right.

His expression was filled with what appeared to be sincerity. His words seemed to come straight from the heart. Yet, Kallie felt a cold shudder creep over her.

Barely managing to sustain her strained smile, Kallie was about to come up with an excuse to slip away when suddenly, Cody exhibited alarming symptoms.

He weakened, collapsed into his wheelchair, and began shaking violently, foam forming at the corners of his mouth.

The banquet’s host was in peril, making it seem inappropriate for anyone to leave under such circumstances. Consequently, the guests remained, their attention riveted on the scene.

Medical personnel hurried around the venue, heightening the already tense atmosphere.

Nearby, hushed conversations floated through the air.

“Maybe he was poisoned?”

“Hold off on such claims. We’re in a lawful society. Who would dare?”

“Cody’s not exactly beloved, considering the ruthless deeds committed by his Snow Gang. It’s conceivable that someone took advantage of his presence in Avalon.”

“It’s obvious that Kallie’s quite close with Cody. No wonder her career’s climbing so quickly. She’s likely taken advantage of this connection.”

“Be quiet. It’s not wise to let others hear.”

“Why worry? It’s no secret that Kallie’s riches are dubious. After Jake’s mysterious death, she held no funeral for him. And let’s not forget she’s taken over the Reeves Group. It’s rather unsettling.”

Hearing this, Kallie’s face hardened, and she resolved not to let these whispers go unchecked. She stood up and positioned herself beside the gossipers.

The two, deep in their chatter, froze and exchanged mortified looks as Kallie approached. They immediately fell silent, trying to mask their earlier conversation.

With a mischievous smirk, Kallie said, “I just caught my name fluttering from your conversation. What’s the chat? Go on. I’m not one to fuss.”

The discomfort was evident on their faces as they scrambled for a way out.

But before they could escape, a stinging reproach sliced through the air. “Reflect on your actions. Secrets are for things best left undone. There’s no cloak thick enough to cover misdeeds. If words sting, Kallie, maybe it’s guilt nibbling at you.”

When Kallie turned, she was surprised to see Sarah, whom she hadn’t laid eyes on in quite some time.

At first, Sarah was unrecognizable to Kallie. She was now alarmingly thin, a shadow of the robust and domineering lady of the Miller family she once knew.

Sarah’s voice, still unmistakable, and her expressive eyes were all that tied her to the image Kallie remembered.

Kallie met Sarah’s eyes with a calm, focused look, saying, “It’s been quite some time, Mrs. Payne. Or rather, I shouldn’t call you that, should I? It seems my memory isn’t what it used to be. I forgot about your divorce.” Errol’s divorce from Sarah was now common knowledge in the circle.

.

.

.