Chapter 85



Shirley’s birthday soon arrived.

For the first time, Kallie crossed the threshold of the Reeves’ grand mansion not as a servant but as a guest.

Accompanied by Jake, Kallie couldn’t shake off a sense of unease. She was clad in a sky-blue gown chosen by Jake, who had selected a tie of the same shade for himself. Their matching outfits made it clear they were a couple.

As they stepped into the mansion, Jake gripped Kallie’s hand, her previous familiarity with the place now tinged with an unsettling unfamiliarity.

“Jake’s here!” Shirley’s voice echoed through the foyer, followed by another voice that caused Kallie to stiffen. It was Sarah.

“Jake, you’ve made it,” Sarah said gently, her arm linked with Shirley’s, both of them seeming exceptionally chummy. Sarah’s pink dress was a deliberate match to Shirley’s vibrant red one, a detail that delighted Shirley. However, Shirley’s smile faded the moment her eyes landed on Kallie.

Managing a forced smile, Kallie offered her greetings.

“Jake, you wouldn’t believe how helpful Sarah has been lately. She’s incredibly efficient and intelligent!” Shirley lavished praise on Sarah, blatantly ignoring Kallie as though she didn’t exist.

“From making lists to organizing purchases, she’s even outshone the top corporate accountants!” Shirley added, her admiration for Sarah evident in her tone.

Kallie listened, her head bowed, engulfed by a mix of sadness and numbness. Shirley had summoned Sarah for ordinary tasks, yet when Shirley called upon her, it was always in the manner of a servant.

“Doesn’t the housekeeper handle these chores?” Jake inquired.

Rather than echoing Shirley’s commendations for Sarah, Jake questioned, “You always have someone else handle your tasks. Do you pay her?”

“What… What are you talking about?” Shirley’s face reddened with embarrassment.

Sarah hastened to interject, “It’s fine, Jake. I’m just here to assist your mom…”

“But really, you should consider hiring someone for these chores. If you’re struggling to find help, I can have some of my company’s staff assist,” Jake suggested, his tone casual yet his expression cold.

“That’s enough!” Shirley snapped, realizing her attempt to praise Sarah had backfired. She coughed awkwardly and tugged Jake inside, hoping to steer him toward Sarah and away from Kallie.

But Jake resisted, pausing to confront Shirley. “Why are you dragging me away? Isn’t someone already assisting you? Are you feeling ill? You need two people to hold you up?”

“You’re driving me crazy!” Shirley exclaimed, glaring at Jake, her frustration with his stubbornness mounting.

Kallie looked up at Jake, her surprise evident. He had shown no regard for Sarah’s feelings. Why was that?

Kallie had assumed Sarah’s arrival signaled her acceptance into the Reeves family, suggesting an imminent engagement to Jake. The moment Kallie laid eyes on Sarah, she felt like a pawn in Sarah’s game of humiliation. Why, then, would Jake have insisted on her presence? Yet, Jake intervened, sparing her from being humiliated.

A bit stunned, Kallie followed Jake into the villa.

“Jake, it’s been a while,” Dean greeted Jake, alongside his wife, Melinda.

Dean had managed the family’s international business for years and seldom visited home. Kallie had only encountered him during family gatherings like Shirley’s birthday or other major events.

Although Kallie had been part of the Reeves family for five years, her interactions with Dean were minimal. Her relationship with Melinda was equally distant. They barely talked, making them almost strangers.

This visit, however, took a different turn.

After welcoming Jake, Dean addressed Kallie, “Kallie, you’ve been making waves recently! Your name even reached me overseas!”

Kallie stiffened at this, and Melinda quickly chimed in with a sneer, “Absolutely! Embarrassing yourself wherever you go! Do you think you’re someone significant?”

But Dean’s intent was not to belittle Kallie. Ignoring Melinda’s jab, he continued with genuine respect, “I’ve always known about your capabilities. I thought you might have lost your edge, but you’re as impressive as ever.”

Melinda’s expression turned awkward, and even Shirley looked at Dean in disbelief.

Kallie was taken aback, forgetting momentarily to express her gratitude. Was Dean really complimenting her?

“You have a knack for restoring artifacts, and you’re incredibly skilled. I still remember that time Hayden complimented you during his visit. I was there too,” Dean went on, his admiration evident.

“When you later married Jake, I was afraid you might lose touch with your talent after all these years, but you’ve clearly kept your edge! I’ve even caught wind of your projects at Hayden’s studio and with the Hayes Group from overseas! One of your clients, whom I work with, mentioned…” Dean’s stream of compliments seemed endless.

“Alright…” Melinda, noticing Shirley’s growing irritation, gave Dean a subtle tug.

Oblivious, Dean turned to Melinda, seeking affirmation, “Isn’t that right? You’re in the country, seeing everything firsthand. Isn’t Kallie exceptional?”

Melinda shot a glance at Shirley. She was reluctant to acknowledge Kallie’s prowess but found herself unable to directly contradict her husband. With a hesitant nod, she said, “Yeah, sure.”

“You really keep up with everything around here. That’s impressive.” Shirley managed a rigid smile. She adored her two sons too much to spark confrontation with Dean.

Thus, Shirley added her praises for Kallie as they all moved toward the living room, leaving Sarah behind.

Watching Kallie’s retreating figure, Sarah clenched her teeth, her eyes brimming with bitterness.

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