Chapter 196



Jerome understood Jake’s meaningful look and coughed in Brent’s direction. “Tell the police to leave. Let them know nothing is happening here. We will take our leave.”

Brent grew visibly anxious. “Grandpa, Kallie’s hurt like this. Aren’t we going to do something?”

Jerome looked at Kallie with a mix of guilt and concern. “It’s not that we do nothing. It’s just not the right time. We will talk about it when we get back.”

Kallie smiled reassuringly at Jerome, signaling her understanding and trust in his judgment. Jerome was no fool. It seemed Jake had presented something advantageous to the Hayes family, something Jerome couldn’t easily refuse, or perhaps Jake had uncovered something that could potentially threaten Brent.

Involving the Hayes family in her own troubles already filled Kallie with regret.

Kallie gently pulled at Brent’s sleeve, trying to calm his anger. She gestured that Jerome must have his own reasons and considerations, and expressed her desire to leave as the day’s events had really exhausted her. Expressing her gratitude for their standing up for her, she suggested Brent take Jerome for a checkup since Jerome seemed unwell.

Brent, silent in the face of Kallie’s persistence, chose not to say anything further.

Before leaving, Brent shot a disapproving glance at Sarah. Leaning close to Kallie, he whispered, “Sarah’s plans have backfired twice now. She is desperate and might try to do something to you again. Please be extra careful.”

gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․cóm is your escape Kallie gave a faint smile. She appreciated his concern for her well-being.

As the Hayes family departed with Kallie, Jake’s eyes followed them intently.

Beside Jake, Sarah was still fuming. “Jake, why did you let Kallie go so easily? Look at what she did to me.” Sarah pointed at the faint red marks on her wrist, her voice thick with frustration.

Jake finally glanced at her, his patience wearing thin. “You have caused all this trouble. I managed to convince them not to hold you accountable. What more do you want?”

Sarah was stunned for a moment, and then tears welled up in her eyes, her expression full of hurt. “I’ve already said this has nothing to do with me. It was Kallie who offended Boris, not me. Others are spreading rumors at my banquet. What am I supposed to do?”

Jake’s expression twisted into a sneer as he exposed Sarah’s lies. “Oh, it has nothing to do with you? Spare me your lies. I know you’ve been in constant touch with Boris lately. I would prefer not to intervene as long as you two kept things under control. Even at this point, you still lied to me?”

Sarah’s expression faltered, realizing her lies couldn’t hold up under Jake’s scrutiny. But that didn’t faze her. She felt she had nothing to worry about. Jake’s intervention seemingly suggested his reluctance to see her punished by the Hayes family for her own actions.

Confident in Jake’s apparent feelings for her, Sarah decided to slander Kallie, saying, “It’s all Kallie’s fault. She used her pregnancy as an excuse to stick by your side. When you weren’t around, she insulted me and even accused me of interfering in your relationship. I was furious, so I teamed up with Boris. I didn’t know Boris would manipulate things to frame Kallie and Jerome like this. I only agreed to involve him.”

Jake chose not to expose Sarah’s lame lies. Instead, he fixed her with a sharp gaze. “Who told you about Kallie’s pregnancy? I specifically told everyone in the household not to tell you. How did this information get leaked to you?”

A shiver ran down Sarah’s spine as she realized her slip-up.

She hastily fumbled for an excuse. “I could tell from the way Kallie looked that she was pregnant.”

Although Jake’s face remained unchanged, his gaze turned cold. “You have let me down. I’ve treated you well with complete trust, and yet you conspired with others to deceive me.”

Suddenly, Jake seized Sarah’s wrist. “You are still lying to me even now. What are you planning to do next? Take my life?”

Sarah was startled by Jake’s sudden outburst, her heart racing with fear and distress. Jake was right—he had always been so good to her, yet she couldn’t shake off the haunting sense of insecurity, leading her to conspire with others and deceive him.

Sarah pondered the situation. Telling Jake the truth about who had told her about Kallie’s pregnancy wouldn’t harm her anyway. Plus, Melinda was insignificant. Angering Jake just to cover up for Melinda was certainly not worthwhile.

Taking a deep breath, Sarah finally told the truth. “It was Melinda who told me. That day, when you took Kallie out somewhere, I coincidentally ran into Melinda. Melinda mentioned that you kept Kallie close because she was pregnant. I naturally assumed it was your child. Jake, I know you care for me, but knowing Kallie is carrying your child makes me feel insecure. She could use the child to win you back in the future. What could I do then?”

The second half of Sarah’s speech was lost on Jake as he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness and lightheadedness wash over him, accompanied by a familiar headache.

Jake struggled to maintain his balance as he looked around, noticing the world seemed to warp and distort before his eyes. Having known Sarah’s schemes all along, her current concerned expression disgusted and unsettled him.

Ignoring her, Jake pushed Sarah away and stumbled through the bustling crowd. His mind was focused on finding Kallie.

But Jake was the one who had pushed Kallie away earlier. How could she possibly appear again?

At this point, Kallie had already settled into the car, sitting beside Jerome.

As the engine hummed to life, the distant wail of an ambulance drifted in through the window.

Kallie frowned, her gaze drifting toward the sound.

Just then, Jerome let out a soft sigh and said, “You have always kept things to yourself. I know about your situation with Jake.”

Kallie’s surprise was evident as she turned to look at Jerome. She gestured to ask whether it was Jake who told him about this.

Jerome didn’t respond directly but continued gently, “I also know that Brent was ready to step in, thinking he could help you get revenge by pushing for a divorce. I stopped him. Kallie, please understand. I’m not heartless. This is a matter between you and your husband. Brent, as an outsider, shouldn’t be meddling.”

Kallie nodded understandingly.

When Kallie first heard Irene’s plan, she felt it was inappropriate. She subtly and directly expressed her rejection of Brent’s help.

However, at that time, Brent harbored strong animosity toward Jake and was adamant about proceeding with the plan.

Kallie felt continuing to refuse might embarrass Brent, so she gave up expressing her reservations.

Seeing Kallie in such a vulnerable state made Jerome’s guilt intensify. “Don’t fret. I owe Roderick my life, and Roderick owes you his. This is our debt to repay. The Hayes family will always stand by you. As long as I’m breathing, I won’t let anyone harm you.”

Kallie’s eyes filled with tears, deeply moved by his words. She gestured that she really appreciated Jerome’s kindness toward her and hoped he could take good care of himself, enjoying a merry life in stable condition.

Jerome smiled warmly. “Don’t worry. I’m still in good health. I had sensed something was amiss with my daughter, so I took precautions. The medication she tried on me didn’t affect me. The doctor assures me I will recover after some rest.”

Kallie felt a wave of relief wash over her upon hearing this.

Elsewhere, in a panic, Sarah quickly arranged for someone to take Jake to the hospital. When she turned around, she saw several men in suits.

The reason for Jake’s sudden fainting hit Sarah immediately.

When no one was paying attention, Sarah made her way to the room on the top floor of the hotel.

Sarah burst into the room, tossing her bag angrily onto the floor. “You promised those drugs wouldn’t harm Jake!”

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