Chapter 97



Murmurs spread through the crowd.

Kallie felt the sting of sarcasm and mockery, her fists tightening slightly.

Then, someone couldn’t stand it anymore and spoke up. “That’s how it is, but let’s not discriminate against people with disabilities. She hasn’t cheated or done anything wrong. You’re being too harsh.”

Sarah, seething with anger and clenching her teeth, stood her ground. “Kallie was the one who raised the paddle. It’s only right that she answers. Let’s hear her speak for herself.”

Each word struck deep in Kallie’s heart.

“You!” Ethan’s temper flared, and he moved to confront Sarah.

Kallie quickly grabbed Ethan’s wrist, feeling the urgency of the situation but not realizing how inappropriate her actions were.

With a worried glance, Kallie shook her head at Ethan.

Kallie felt that if Ethan provoked Sarah, Jake would surely react since Sarah held a special place in his heart. By then, she was powerless to stop Jake. After all, they were nearing a divorce, and it wasn’t her place to dictate Jake’s actions.

Jake, seeing Kallie’s actions, felt a pang in his heart, his gaze turning colder. He strode forward and seized the rabbit lantern.

Commanding the room with his presence, no one dared intervene.

After taking the lantern, Jake handed it directly to Sarah.

Jake stated evenly, “I was the one who spoke out first, and that alone should earn us the prize. While we should empathize with those with disabilities, it doesn’t automatically make them correct. If so, every dispute would boil down to who is more deserving of pity, and that wouldn’t be just, would it?”

Kallie abruptly looked up at Jake upon hearing his words. She moved a step closer, her hands half-raised in a futile attempt to clarify her intentions. She had never meant it that way. All she sought was to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

Yet, Kallie hesitated. If Jake had thought like that, would her explanations make any difference?

Her thoughts were a chaotic jumble, like yarn mangled by a cat’s claws. Her eyes watered, the urge to cry almost overwhelming her.

Surrounded by onlookers, Kallie clenched her jaw and suppressed her tears, turning to Ethan to gesture her need to retreat for a rest.

Ethan caught the distress in Kallie’s eyes. He turned to gaze at Jake chillingly.

Tension crackled between the two men.

As Ethan escorted Kallie away, Jake’s restraint shattered.

“Kallie, where are you going? You saw me without even a hello?” Jake inquired, his voice laced with hurt.

Kallie, too weary to respond, kept walking without turning back.

Jake’s frustration boiled over, and he strode out.

As Jake passed Kallie, the cool, sharp scent of his cologne mingled with the smell of nicotine, leaving a bitter trace in the air.

He stormed off, pausing as he brushed past her. It seemed to signify the inevitable end of their relationship. They were merely two souls on divergent paths, and he no longer waited for her.

Witnessing this, Sarah quickly chased after Jake.

When Jake reached his car, he fired up the engine without a second thought.

Desperate, Sarah tapped on the window, her eyes pleading, “Jake, weren’t you going to take me out to dinner?”

Jake didn’t spare her a glance, his voice cold and distant. “I have to handle some business. I’ll send the bodyguard to take you back to the hotel to rest. Call me if there’s anything.”

Frustration welled up in Sarah. “Aren’t we supposed to be staying together?”

Jake’s tight-lipped silence spoke volumes.

Sarah’s temper flared. She had thought she was finally making progress, but Jake clearly had no such intentions.

Watching Jake’s car disappear into the distance, Sarah stormed back to her room. A shower revived her spirits significantly. Suddenly, an urgent knock interrupted her solitude.

Kallie assumed it was Linsey or Irene. The hotel’s robust security meant she had little to fear, and an alarm system was installed in her for added safety.

Comforted by these thoughts, Kallie opened the door, only to find Jake standing there, his expression darkened.

Startled, Kallie began to shut the door, but Jake quickly stepped forward, preventing it from closing.

Just as the door nearly closed, a muffled grunt echoed from outside.

Overcome with concern, Kallie swung the door back open. Yet, there he was in the doorway, a look of displeasure etched on his face.

Jake, despite the throbbing in his wrist, couldn’t suppress a chuckle at Kallie’s icy manner. “So, you think you are the one being wronged, huh?”

Kallie signed her need to rest and urged him to leave since her schedule tomorrow demanded her full attention and energy.

After a pause, she made it a point to stress that she preferred not to see either him or Sarah at Eastonville University tomorrow.

Kallie figured it was best they didn’t cross paths for a while to sidestep any further awkwardness.

Jake’s expression grew somber, his usually charming face now imposing, devoid of any smile. He caught Kallie’s wrist in mid-gesture. His hold was firm.

Kallie’s brow creased. She wanted to say he was hurting her but was unable to make a sound.

Jake said accusingly, “You’re telling me to stay away because you don’t want me seeing you with Ethan, right? I can’t believe you’d avoid me just to be with him on a date.”

Kallie felt a mix of being wronged and anger. What did he mean by her going on a date with Ethan? To her, Ethan was merely a friend. Considering Jake’s own relationship with Sarah, she wondered how he could possibly feel entitled to make demands of her.

Observing Kallie’s expression, Jake’s eyes grew cold. Without a word, he scooped her up and carried her into the hotel room, shutting the door firmly behind them.

Kallie struggled against his hold, but her resistance ceased when Jake pinned her down on the bed. She lay silent, her eyes pleading for understanding.

In a moment that felt both punitive and intimate, Jake nibbled on her earlobe. As he felt Kallie’s body tremble slightly, he increased his strength.

As confusion and desire mingled within Kallie, Jake’s hand slid under her clothing. His touch was fiery, as if trying to set her aflame from within.

But then, clarity struck Kallie. In a sudden move, she bit down hard on Jake’s tongue.

Frowning, Jake recoiled in pain, his expression one of surprised anger as he sat up and stared at her.

Kallie clutched her stomach, her face etched with pain and fear.

Seeing her distress, Jake’s anger dissolved into nervousness.

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