Chapter 859



Clayton simply sneered, making no move to stop Neal. Neal lunged forward, throwing a punch towards Jake. But before his fist could land, Jake punched him hard in the stomach. The impact left Neal shaking in pain, and he collapsed, staring at Jake as if he had seen a ghost.

Jake relentlessly pressed his foot against Neal’s back. Neal gasped in pain, feeling his bones creak. Desperately, he looked to Clayton for help.

Clayton’s expression darkened with disappointment.

‘Pathetic,’ he muttered.

Clayton took a few steps forward, showing no fear before Jake. He crossed his arms, feigning calm, though Jake’s presence enveloped him in shadow. Clayton’s gaze turned icy, his sharp features twisting with a hint of malice.

‘I’m not going to kill you myself. Where’s the satisfaction in that?’ he said scornfully.

‘I’d rather break your spirit and bring you to the point where, even if survival were possible, you’d choose death.’ Jake pursed his lips, looking at Clayton with cold disdain, as if he were witnessing a pitiful spectacle.

Clayton moved closer, adjusting Jake’s collar with a soft chuckle.

‘You thought Kallie had no reason to hurt you. Let me set you straight about something. The Reeves Group.’

Those three words coursed through Jake’s body like a bolt of lightning, though his resolve remained steadfast. Still, he chose to trust Kallie.

‘I know the Reeves Group’s wealth is tempting. But we’re together. If Kallie wants it, I’ll give it to her. What’s mine is hers.’

Clayton shook his head in disagreement.

‘No. It’s not the same thing. Even if you give it to her, it won’t really belong to her.’ He leaned in a little, lowering his voice.

‘Jake, you know human nature better than anyone. You’ve seen the worst of her. Why should Kallie stay decent just because of you? Besides, I don’t see her actions as wrong. Everyone looks out for themselves.’

Clayton paused, letting his words sink in.

‘Think about it. In the three years you were gone, she seemed to be looking for you. But she got used to living without you. And now, you show up out of nowhere, wanting to take over the Reeves Group. Do you really think that makes her happy?’

Jake couldn’t hold back any longer. His fist flew forward, impacting hard into Clayton’s face. Clayton took the blow, his head jerked back, but he didn’t look angry. Instead, he gave a faint smile, holding his black eye as he looked at Jake.

Clayton’s smirk only fueled Jake’s anger. He grabbed Clayton’s collar, shoving him against the bookshelf. His dark eyes burned, full of fury, like a beast on the verge of breaking free. Jake’s voice came out as a growl.

‘I’m not going to let you slander her like that.’

Clayton held Jake’s gaze, calm and unperturbed. Wordlessly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, unfolding it in front of Jake.

Jake’s eyes roamed over the words, and his face turned pale. The strength faded from his body, and his grip loosened, releasing Clayton. He staggered back, feeling despair take hold of him, his body wavering.

‘It’s impossible…’ he muttered, barely audible. ‘It can’t be.’

On the paper, in thick black letters, was Jake’s death certificate, issued by the police, with Kallie’s signature at the bottom.

Although forgeries existed, the handwriting on the document was undoubtedly Kallie’s, and Jake knew it the moment he saw it. Panic and despair swept over him, leaving him overwhelmed and heartbroken. Hadn’t Kallie always been looking for him? Why then had she gone to the police to declare him dead? It didn’t make any sense.

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