Chapter 823



Tears overwhelmed her, sliding down her cheeks as she wept openly.

Normally, Kallie kept her emotions in check, especially in public or in front of her children.

Strength was her cloak.

However, in private moments like this, her guard would fall.

Just then, Jake, who had returned, witnessed this raw display of grief.

He saw Kallie weeping uncontrollably, her usual calm replaced by visible tremors of vulnerability.

His heart twisted in sympathy as he watched the scene, his normally stoic face clouding over with concern.

‘Kallie,’ Jake muttered, approaching her with hurried steps.

Clayton arrived before Jake, however, and it was he who reached Kallie first.

Dressed in a smart black suit, Clayton’s presence caused Kallie to quickly stifle her sobs, wiping away her tears hurriedly to hide her distress.

Her eyes, red and obvious, belied her composed expression.

‘What are you doing here?’ asked Kallie, visibly confused, her brows furrowed in mild irritation.

This mountain was the domain of the Reeves family.

If Clayton intended to visit, he could have shown some respect by informing her in advance.

Clayton extended a handkerchief to Kallie along with an offered hand.

‘Get up first.’

Kallie ignored his outstretched hand and instead tried to stand up on her own, losing her balance slightly.

Instinctively, Clayton reached out his arm to steady her.

Invisible to them, Jake watched the scene from the shadows of the nearby forest.

Despite the distance of less than fifty yards separating them, neither Kallie nor Clayton was aware of Jake’s watchful eyes.

The sight of Clayton’s hand resting on Kallie’s waist aroused an intense jealousy in Jake, igniting in him a desire to confront Clayton.

Once stabilized, Kallie quickly pushed Clayton’s support away.

However, with her back turned to Jake, her defiant gesture went unnoticed by him.

Jake couldn’t make out the conversation between Kallie and Clayton from where he was hiding.

Kallie’s mood had changed at the sight of Clayton’s sudden presence, and her features settled into a cold expression.

‘Mr. Morgan, this is not appropriate.’

Clayton’s face showed anxiety, and he hastened to explain:

‘Kallie, you’ve made a mistake.

I just heard you were here alone and I got worried.’

‘You heard?’ Kallie’s brows furrowed in a puzzled expression.

How had her presence become a topic of gossip so quickly? Perhaps it was time to eliminate those Clayton had embedded within the Reeves Group.

Realising he was on dangerous ground, Clayton quickly changed the subject.

‘Actually, I came to see you about something else.

Mr. Hopkins’ birthday is coming up.

How would you feel about picking out a gift together?’

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