Chapter 922



Before Lacey could respond, Leo entered, flanked by two bodyguards. They moved to where Lacey was, ready to escort her out.

A wave of despair washed over Lacey. Jake’s heartlessness cut through her, leaving her numb. But she couldn’t bring herself to leave, unwilling to go despite everything. She had already waited three years, so what if she waited another three years?

Seeing Lacey refuse to leave, Leo gave a subtle glance to the bodyguards, signaling them to act. The bodyguards caught Leo’s drift and moved in, seizing Lacey’s wrists.

As Lacey struggled, she spun around, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Leo. “This is between Mr. Reeves and me! You have no right to interfere!”

Leo remained calm, his tone even. “Miss Payne, you’ve misunderstood me. I’m only following orders. Everything we do here has Mr. Reeves’ approval.”

“Reeves’ approval. If you doubt me, feel free to ask him yourself.”

Lacey’s gaze flicked to Jake, but she lacked the courage to ask him. She wasn’t afraid of Jake. She just couldn’t bear to hear another hurtful word from him again.

Jake stood with his back to her, the sunlight casting a cold shadow over his frame. He spoke icily. “Lacey, leave! I don’t need you here anymore.”

Lacey’s sobs echoed as she was dragged from the room. Leo followed close behind, murmuring, “The car to take you to the airport is waiting.”

Summoning all her strength, Lacey wrenched herself from the grasp of the bodyguards. She staggered into the room, confronting Jake with urgency in her voice.

“Are you aware your daughter’s health is declining fast? If this continues, she will die. I have the means to save her. But if you’d rather watch her suffer, then by all means, cast me out.”

The object Jake held clattered to the floor as he spun around, his stride full of intent. He reached Lacey and seized her by the throat. Although Jake usually managed to keep his temper in check, Lacey had provoked him deeply, striking at his most vulnerable point.

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Through gritted teeth, Jake warned her, “Lacey, if you keep spreading these lies, I will expel you, and all the promises I made will vanish into thin air. My children are in perfect health. How dare you claim my daughter is on her deathbed?”

Lacey writhed in his ironclad grip, panic surging as the air thinned in her lungs. Fear trembled through her as she faced the chilling reality. Jake might actually be willing to end her life over this.

With each word weighed and deliberate, she asserted, “I’m not lying. Every word I’ve spoken is the truth. Your youngest, Elma, is suffering from health complications. She’s been subjected to excessive doses of medication that impede her growth. These drugs are devastating her body, leading to organ failure. Initially, she wouldn’t grow beyond her twenties. However, after my last examination, it’s clear the side effects have now compromised her heart. If any misfortune befalls her, I fear she won’t make it through the year.”

Jake’s instinct was to tighten his grip, his emotions roiling. But as he gazed into Lacey’s resolute eyes, a wave of exhaustion overcame him.

He loosened his hold, overcome with a deep, searing pain. How could this be happening? How was it possible that Elma, who had always been the picture of health, was now in such a critical condition?

Despite being overseas for several years, Jake had always monitored his children closely. Even though Kallie, their mother, had once attempted his life, he knew of her genuine affection for the children. That was why, upon his return to the country, he never considered removing the children from her care. He believed that as long as they could grow up healthy and joyful under Kallie’s watch, there was no need to intervene.

Yet, he hadn’t braced himself to confront such dire news today.

Lacey crumpled to the floor, heaving for breath as soon as she was freed. Between labored gasps, she managed to speak to Jake.

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