Chapter 74:

Kallie regarded Jake with a calm expression, her expectations low. She suspected that Jake’s questions stemmed from curiosity rather than concern. He wasn’t the type to defend her, and she doubted he would challenge Shirley or shield her from the relentless bullying.

Instead of going into detail, Kallie signed simply, her gestures saying, “Every year, on your mother’s birthday, I end up working like a servant at the mansion for a week. I can’t keep doing this. Is that a problem?”

“Did she force this on you? What exactly were you made to do? What happened last year?” Jake probed, seeking clarity. “Why haven’t you mentioned this before?”

Kallie nonchalantly listed a few of her previous tasks in sign language, her gaze distant and cold. She described duties akin to those of any household servant, including washing dishes for all the guests and kneeling to scrub the hallways. Cleaning the dusty cellar left her with a persistent cough from her allergies.

Jake’s face slowly registered disbelief. “Why didn’t you bring this up sooner?”

Kallie’s response was sharp, her gestures asking, “Would you have believed me if I had? Even now, would you believe me? When have you ever believed me?”

New chapters now on .cøm

Jake fell silent, recognizing his long-standing skepticism toward Kallie and others. He often relied on his own judgment, mistrusting the perspectives of those around him. Now, faced with Kallie’s revelations, his initial thought was whether she was fabricating the story to push for a divorce.

Kallie’s eyes were filled with disappointment. She gave Jake a brief, piercing look before turning to gaze out the window, choosing to remain silent.

Jake restarted the engine and began driving toward the house.

“I had no idea about any of this,” Jake muttered, his voice laced with sympathy.

things Jake didn’t know, but only because he never truly cared enough to find out. If he wanted to know the truth,

Jake stopped the car but made no move to exit. Instead, he turned to Kallie. “You go in

quickly agreed and stepped

seated, took a moment to gather his thoughts before deciding to call

carefree, as if she was in the middle of a lively

find somewhere quiet? I need to ask you something,”

in his voice, Shirley excused herself and moved to a more private area. “What’s the

mansion for your

before Shirley replied, “Why do you

need to know,” Jake

party preparations—organizing the guest list and checking what was

the truth?” Jake pressed, his tone skeptical. He knew Kallie wasn’t

have I ever lied to you?” Shirley responded, her

for a moment before revealing what Kallie had told him. “You didn’t make her do any housework? No scrubbing floors or

specifics. “Kallie said that? She’s lying! We have housekeepers for that. Why

caught you trying to hit her with a cane. And that wasn’t the only time,” Jake

silent again, clearly searching for an excuse. After a pause, she finally said, “Yes, I hit her a few times, but only because she made mistakes! Isn’t it my right to discipline her

she was involved with Brent?” Jake asked

she should have kept her distance. Are you telling me I was wrong to think that?” Shirley replied, her tone self-righteous. It

almost responded but decided against it, biting back

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255