Chapter 959



Without another word, Kallie headed for the door.

The children noticed Kallie’s departure and instantly felt a tug to follow her. Yet, curiously, Calvin remained. With a frosty glare, he gazed at Lacey, his contempt evident in every line of his face.

Lacey inhaled deeply, mustering a strained smile as she turned to face Calvin.

“Calvin, did you need something? It seems your mom has already left.”

Calvin’s face twisted into a sneer.

“Sure, my mom’s walked away, but my dad’s still here. Is there a problem with me staying here? And why are you here? What business does an outsider like you have at our family event?”

A flicker of annoyance crossed Lacey’s features upon hearing Calvin’s biting words. Clenching her teeth, she retorted, “Outsider? Mr. Reeves knows perfectly well I’m not an outsider.” The tension between them was palpable, edging closer to an outright argument, when Jake, rubbing his temples with a growing headache, intervened.

“Calvin, could you step outside for a moment? I need a word with Lacey.”

Calvin’s expression hardened, his eyes cold and unforgiving.

“I’ve told you before, you’re no father to me,” he spat bitterly before storming out, the door banging shut with a reverberating slam that made Lacey jump.

Lacey pressed a hand to her chest, her voice tinged with exasperation.

“Mr. Reeves, just look at his temper. How did he end up so wild? If he had been raised under your roof, I’m sure he would have been a fine young man.”

Jake scoffed.

“So, enlighten me, what does a fine young man look like?”

Lacey sensed the rising ire in Jake’s tone and promptly sealed her lips.

As anticipated, Jake’s expression chilled over, his voice slicing through the air.

“How my son is educated is none of your business.”

Feeling unjustly chastised, Lacey nibbled on her lip and nodded with subdued caution.

“I apologize, Mr. Reeves. It won’t happen again.”

Jake narrowed the distance between them, his eyes piercing Lacey as though she were his prey.

“I had wanted to send you away to strip you of harboring any unsuitable thoughts. You had assured me time and again you wouldn’t. Yet, here you are, apparently deceiving me.”

Lacey’s frame shook as she hastened to defend herself.

“Mr. Reeves, I assure you, I wasn’t lying. I harbor no such intentions.”

“Really?” Jake’s eyes swept over Lacey from head to toe. There was no warmth or desire in his gaze, only a chilly assessment.

“So, why are you dressed like this? I may be a man, Lacey, but don’t think for a moment that I can’t see right through you.”

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