Chapter 84



“I accept your apology and forgive you.” Kallie typed into her phone and played the message aloud for Leah.

Although forgiveness was Kallie’s to offer, the decision to punish Stella was entirely Jerome’s, and Kallie had no sway over Stella’s consequences. Yet, Leah clearly sought more than just forgiveness. She brightened at Kallie’s swift response. “Thank you, Kallie! You’re truly wonderful! Could you possibly help me with another matter?”

As Leah’s eagerness grew, Kallie instinctively took a step back, anticipating yet another plea.

Leah clasped Kallie’s hand, her voice thick with desperation, “Could you put in a good word for me with Jerome? Even if you don’t speak for Stella, just say something nice about me. Please?”

At Kallie’s reaction, Leah hastily added, “The Hayes family member married to my mom’s aunt is Stella’s father’s cousin. If Stella falls from grace, I’ll lose my footing within the Hayes family. You, having been adopted by the Reeves family, surely understand the value of family support, don’t you? I really need this. Imagine how lost I’d be if they cast me out along with Stella!”

Leah’s plea tugged at Kallie’s heartstrings, but it conflicted with her principles. Kallie had become a Reeves not by choice but because tragedy had claimed her family. If given the choice, she would forsake wealth and status in a heartbeat for a moment with her loved ones.

gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․çоm, where stories thrive Kallie shook her head, dismissing Leah’s plea with another message. “I can’t do that. Jerome wouldn’t approve.”

“But he’s fond of you! You don’t understand how strict he is with the younger ones. He doesn’t warm up to any of the kids, no matter who they are! It’s actually quite rare for him to take a liking to someone like you!”

Kallie was well aware of Jerome’s peculiarities. The first time she had accompanied Jake to the Hayes family home, Jerome had called her Mrs. Reeves, clearly not recognizing her.

Back then, Kallie had seemed irrelevant. Despite instructions that Jerome was to look after her, he barely paid her any heed, as she appeared to lack any potential worth his time. It wasn’t until Jerome observed Kallie’s ambition and determination that he started to offer his support.

Kallie knew why Jerome had changed his stance. Nobody was eager to assist someone who had surrendered to despair. If she had resigned herself to her misfortunes without seeking help, nobody could have rescued her. Jerome’s fondness for her was not what others assumed.

Kallie typed resolutely, “Sorry, I really can’t help you. Don’t bother lying to convince me. It’s futile.”

“Kallie!” Leah’s voice was a mix of frustration and desperation after being turned down. “Stella may have blundered, but you shouldn’t corner her! Things could change! Just because Jerome favors you now doesn’t mean it will last forever! What if Brent falls? Aren’t you worried about the repercussions for yourself?”

Kallie remained unfazed. She kept herself detached from the Hayes family’s internal conflicts, concentrating solely on her own responsibilities.

“If you help, I’ll pay you. I know you don’t take Jake’s money…” Leah offered, somewhat desperately.

A twinge of sadness struck Kallie. The fact that she didn’t take Jake’s money was a secret known only to Jake himself, not even to Shirley. Now that Leah was aware, it seemed obvious that Jake had shared this with Sarah, who must have informed Stella. Their private affairs had become fodder for gossip and even a tool for intimidation.

Kallie’s face hardened. She abandoned typing and instead showed her refusal to Leah using sign language, her eyes briefly flicking toward the elevator controls.

The elevator continued its ascent, unnervingly unhalted, which was peculiar since it should not have taken so long to arrive at her floor.

Upon closer inspection, Kallie realized her oversight. She had not pressed the button for her floor. The elevator was ascending because someone from above had summoned it.

Kallie reached out to press her floor button, but Leah seized Kallie’s arm, her expression growing stormy.

“Kallie, don’t push me! Just speak with Jerome! Even if he doesn’t care, at least I’ve tried! How can you be so indifferent? You owe your success to the Reeves family, and yet you refuse to lend a hand to anyone else?”

Kallie was desperate to clear up the misunderstanding, but Leah’s firm grip made it impossible.

While Kallie weighed her options, considering whether to acquiesce just to appease Leah, the elevator came to a halt.

The elevator doors slid open, and Brent was on the verge of stepping in when he caught sight of the tense scene.

“Leah!” Brent barked, his anger palpable. “What the hell are you doing? Let go of her right now!”

“Brent…” Leah spun around, her face etched with a semblance of regret, but Brent was far from convinced.

With a single glance, Brent grasped the full extent of the situation. Swiftly, he whipped out his phone and dialed security. “Cancel Leah’s access to the building! And get someone to the 17th floor immediately to escort her out!”

“Brent…” Leah attempted to interject, but Brent seized her arm, pulling her forcibly out of the elevator.

Brent then hit the button for his floor and assisted Kallie with hers. “Did she frighten you?”

Kallie simply shook her head, choosing not to discuss Leah’s actions, and reassured him she was okay.

Meanwhile, Leah, her appearance now in disarray from the forceful expulsion, trudged into the street and climbed into a waiting car. Inside the car, she found Stella and Sarah.

“Kallie didn’t agree, and then Brent appeared and threw me out,” Leah muttered, lowering her head.

Stella swore under her breath and turned to Sarah for support, “Sarah, I never ratted you out. You have to help me!”

“Don’t worry,” Sarah responded soothingly. “The real problem is Kallie, and she takes Jake’s advice seriously. And Jake is extremely devoted to his mother.”

Sarah let out a small laugh. “Don’t worry, Jake’s mother has a birthday party in a few days. I’ll embarrass Kallie there. After that, I doubt she’ll have anyone left to stand by her!”

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