?strongChapter 173:/strong

To reassure Irene, Kallie gestured that she could join her at Sarah’s birthday celebration.

Irene, feeling more at ease, nodded in agreement. “Sounds great, I’ll make sure to arrange a stylist for you ahead of time, so you won’t be outshone by Sarah at the event.”

Kallie shed Irene a sincere smile.

Standing up, Kallie embraced Irene, her hugforting and warm, instantly soothing her.

A gentle smile spread across Irene’s face, yet a flicker of confusion lingered in her eyes. Why would Jake betray someone as wonderful as Kallie? And what was it about Sarah that was sopelling? Did high-status families truly mind disabilities to such an extent?

Kallie’s eyes twinkled as she signed to Irene, expressing that Irene and Linsey were her closest friends.

“Closest friends?” Irene questioned, feeling a warmth spread to her ears.

Suddenly, guilt washed over Irene as she remembered her initial treatment of Kallie. Back then, she was no different from the judgmental onlookers outside, dismissing Kallie simply because she was mute. Yet, Kallie had demonstrated a level of skill and bravery unmatched by many.

Irene quickly cleared her throat. “I’ll prepare everything. Since you’ve agreed to bring me along, make sure to call me. Don’t forget about that, okay?”

Kallie gave a firm nod in response.

The day before Sarah’s birthday celebration, Kallie made her way back to the Reeves estate.

As a servant escorted Kallie into the courtyard, bursts ofughter and chatter drifted from the main hall.

Familiar voices allowed Kallie to identify the attendees even before she stepped inside. Shirley and Melinda were there, and, unexpectedly, so was Dean.

Sarah was seated between Shirley and Melinda, appearing timid yet charming. Despite being part of this family for years, such familial scenes were foreign to Kallie. The three Reeves and Sarah seemed so much like a real family.

Had it not been for Jake’s urging, Kallie would have preferred to stay away.

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Upon Kallie’s entrance, the warm smiles in the hall disappeared abruptly.

Shirley straightened up, her expression turning frosty and detached. She eyed Kallie and asked in a cutting tone, “Why are you here? What do you want?”

Melinda pinched her nose dramatically. “Oh my, the stench of poverty is overwhelming here. Seems like someone couldn’t make it on their own and resorted to begging for a ce here. But honestly, Jake already has someone far more suitable by his side. Some people really need to learn their ce.”

Kallie met their gazes with frosty silence, choosing not to justify herself.

Sarah stood up with a smirk and walked toward Kallie, her voice loud and clear. “Oh, don’t be so harsh on Kallie. It’s not as if we can’t handle one more person here. Kallie’s situation is unique, so I wouldn’t dare act rashly. I certainly don’t want to be used of mistreating someone with a disability.”

Laughter erupted around them, sharp and cruel. Yet, Kallie remainedposed, merely tightening her grip into fists. She pulled out her phone and typed a message. “If you have such a problem with me, why bring it up to me? Go talk to Jake. Don’t worry. I don’t need him to intervene. Just a word from him, and I’ll be out of here at once.”

Sarah’s smug smile faded into a scowl. “Jake doesn’t want to throw you out because he feels sorry for you. You’re just exploiting his pity.”

Kallie lifted an eyebrow defiantly and typed, “The world is full of pitiable people. Why should he reserve his pity just for me?”

Sarah could no longer contain her fury, and her hand flew up as if poised to strike Kallie.

Just before the p could connect, Jake’s voice sliced through the tension. “Why are you so upset with her?”

As Jake stepped into the room, Sarah’s demeanor shifted dramatically. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she approached him, her face a mask of distress. “Jake, your family came today, hoping for a nice time together, but then Kallie shows up out of nowhere, provoking me. She says I don’t belong here and tells me to leave.”

“Really?” Jake narrowed his eyes, his gaze shifting to Kallie.

Kallie averted her eyes, her face devoid of emotion as she stared off into the distance.

Jake felt a twinge of sadness. This was how she was when facing him, even more so than when she argued with Sarah.

Jake caught himself staring a moment too long before turning away.

Sarah, oblivious to the undercurrents, clutched Jake’s hand and pressed, “Jake, you can’t feel for her and just let this go. Your sister-inw and mother are witnesses. They’ll back me up.”

Only then did Jake nce at the others lounging on the couch. A cold smirk yed on his lips. “So, they’re here?”

Melinda and Dean avoided eye contact. Dean cleared his throat, managing a strained smile as he addressed Jake. “This is your family matter, Jake, we’ll stay out of it.”

Shirley’s face was set in a hard line. “You might as well send Kallie packing now that you’re getting divorced. Bringing strangers home is just bad luck. Since when did you be so lenient and forgiving?”

Jake disregarded Shirley’s bitingments. Instead, he smiled at Sarah, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “If Kallie bothers you so much, the solution is simple. Edgar, confine her. Make sure she doesn’t leave the house for a few days.”

Sarah’s anxiety spiked at Jake’s suggestion. “Lock her up? But she’s supposed to be at my birthday party, isn’t she?”

Jake responded with a nonchnt shrug. “A birthday should be a joyful asion. It’s best not to have someone there who upsets you. I have othermitments, so I won’t be hosting anyone.”

With those words, Jake turned and left.

Edgar moved toward Kallie, signaling her toe with him. Kallie followed, her confusion evident. Something about the situation felt off, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

Now, only the three Reeves and Sarah remained in the hall.

In a fit of anger, Shirley hurled the ss she was holding to the floor. “Did you see that look he gave me? Am I not his mother anymore? He treats me as if I’m his enemy!”

Dean offered his hollow words offort. “Mom, you’re aware of how Jake can be. He’ll cool off in a few days.”

Melinda chimed in with a nod. “He’s just upset with me. I’ll apologize to himter.”

Shirley’s anger escted upon hearing Melinda’s words. “You’re his sister-inw, and yet you feel the need to apologize to him? What’s he thinking? Does he expect Dean to say sorry too?”

Sarah stood there, caught in the awkwardness of the moment. She quickly thought of a way to ease the tension.

Approaching Shirley, Sarah gently patted her on the back, offering sce. “Don’t be upset. You know, Jake wasn’t always like this. Back when he was with me, he often spoke highly of you, appreciating all your efforts and promising to take good care of you. I suspect he’s changed since being with Kallie. Maybe she’s been filling his ears withints about you, driving a wedge between you both.”

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