?<strong>Chapter 209:</strong>


    Stan stood still for a moment and then abruptly fixed his gaze on Kallie.


    Though Stan remained silent and unmoving, Kallie couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat under his intense stare.


    “What’s wrong? Do I not remind you of anyone from the Reeves family?” Stan’s voice was calm as he approached Kallie.


    Kallie returned his gaze. Uncertain if her mind was ying tricks, she suddenly noticed a striking resemnce to Jake in his features. The resemnce might have been even stronger if only the other half of Stan’s face hadn’t been scarred.


    Kallie thought she had unintentionally offended Stan and hurriedly typed down her exnation. “Although I have been part of the Reeves family since I was young, I have always stayed close to Roderick and rarely socialized. So, I don’t know much about you. If I have offended you, I apologize.”


    But Stan’s smile suddenly took on a strange twist. “No need to apologize. It’s understandable you don’t know me. After all, I’m just the hidden, illegitimate son. My existence is frowned upon, and I’m not wee in the grand halls of the Reeves family mansion.”


    Kallie’s eyes widened in shock when she heard his words. A hidden illegitimate son? Since when did the Reeves family have an illegitimate child?


    Stan watched Kallie’s reaction with a hint of amusement. “Are you surprised, Kallie? Your husband, Jake, has known about me for quite some time. However, he has never paid me any mind, always looking down on me. Technically, in terms of seniority, you are my sister-inw. I know you are having issues with Jake right now. How about we work together on this? I can help you settle the score with Jake and Sarah if you give me the information I need. What do you say?”


    With each word from Stan, Kallie grew more unnerved. She instinctively took a step back, putting some distance between them. She sensed Stan was incredibly dangerous.


    A shiver ran down her spine the moment sheid eyes on him.


    Earlier, Kallie was bewildered by the thoughts swirling in her mind. Suddenly, everything clicked into ce.


    Shaking her head, Kallie typed down her reply firmly. “Actually, there is no animosity between Jake and me. You’ve got the wrong person.”


    After expressing her thoughts, Kallie turned to walk away.


    But before Kallie could take more than a few steps, Stan grabbed her wrist. “I think you’re the person I’ve been looking for. Moreover, you are not going anywhere today.”


    These words made Kallie shiver. She couldn’t help but nce back at Stan, only to see a sinister smirk spreading across his face.


    By the time Jake reached the base of the mountain, the rain had intensified, drumming heavily against the ground.


    Concern for Kallie gnawed at Jake, stirring his restlessness. If Dean hadn’t unexpectedly approached him this morning to discuss Shirley’s situation, he wouldn’t have been dyed. Now, he had no idea about Kallie’s current predicament.


    Even though this mountain was the property of the Reeves family, Jake couldn’t shake off his anxiety since Kallie wasn’t in sight.


    Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt.


    Edgar, their driver, leaped out into the rain and dashed ahead to assess the road conditions.


    Five minutester, Edgar hurried back, his face a mix of concern and confusion as he approached Jake. “There are a bunch of unfamiliar cars parked up ahead with license tes I don’t recognize. They definitely aren’t from the Reeves family,” he reported.


    Jake scowled. “Not from the Reeves family? What’s going on? Didn’t I make it clear any outsider had to let me know beforehand if they wereing to pay their respects?”


    Equally puzzled, Edgar said, “I’ll try contacting the owners of those cars to move them quickly.”


    Filled with impatience, Jake couldn’t wait any longer. He resolved to exit the car and walk ahead through the rain.


    While still on the phone, Edgar grew anxious when he saw Jake’s actions. Without hesitation, he stepped forward to intervene. “Mr. Reeves, I understand your concerns, but your health is paramount right now. The doctor emphasized your need to care for yourself before the surgery.”


    With a cold re and a voice that brooked no argument, Jake retorted, “Edgar, can’t you see through this? Do you think it’s a mere coincidence that these cars suddenly blocked the road?”


    Edgar was at a loss for words.


    Everything seemed too coincidental.


    As the anniversary of Roderick’s death drew near, Edgar noticed a growing number of people keeping an eye on Jake and his men.


    Consequently, Jake decided against apanying Kallie and instead had Edgar dispatch additional guards to protect her. However, those guards mysteriously went out of contact.


    Ignoring Edgar, as Jake hurried up the mountain, he encountered another car blocking the road. Who dared to pull such a stunt in the Reeves family’s territory?


    Suddenly, a face shed across Edgar’s mind, and everything clicked into ce.


    While Edgar’s face registered shock, Jake snorted, his lips curled into an icy smile. “I also guess it was Dean. I never doubted him because I thought we were family. I knew he envied me and wanted topete for power and possessions, but I never imagined he would go so far as to want me dead. Kallie is innocent. She shouldn’t be dragged into this. It’s my fault for not seeing Dean’s hand in all of this.”


    If those cars hadn’t suddenly appeared on the road today, Jake wouldn’t have even entertained the thought of Dean’s involvement.


    Yet, even with his suspicions pointing toward Dean’s involvement, Jake still felt uneasy.


    Jake knew Dean’s limited strengths well. Though Dean was ambitious and keen to seize control of the Reeves Group, Jake never rated him as sophisticated enough to pull off all these. It suggested there was a puppeteer behind Dean, someone exceedingly astute and ruthless.


    Jake’s worry surged, and he brushed off Edgar’s hand decisively. “Nevertheless, I must head up the mountain at once. Kallie is undoubtedly in danger.”


    With no alternative, Edgar trailed behind Jake.


    As they walked forward, they noticed cars strategically positioned at intervals along the road. It was evident these obstacles had been purposefully arranged to impede Jake’s swift ascent up the mountain.


    Although the Reeves family owned thisnd privately, patrols were usually a regr sight here. However, not a soul had crossed their path so far. It was likely that they had all been subdued and controlled.


    Thinking of this, Jake was burning with anxiety.


    Meanwhile, as Kallie slowly regained consciousness, she found herself lying in a small cabin, warmed by the crackle of a wood fire nearby. Her eyelids felt heavy as she struggled to open them, her body weak and disoriented.


    Confusion clouded her mind as she tried to piece together how she ended up here. She felt like she had lost part of her memory.


    “Awake?” A male voice abruptly startled Kallie, causing her to jump.


    Kallie gazed at the menacing visage of the man, and gradually, memories started flooding back.


    Shortly after Stan brazenly disclosed his motives, heunched an assault on Kallie.


    Despite Kallie’s attempts to resist, she was overpowered. After that, she lost consciousness and was brought here.


    When realization dawned on Kallie, she looked at Stan in terror. She didn’t know what his intentions were. Gripped by an unfamiliar dread, her hands instinctively clutched the fabric over her belly.


    Stan’s gaze drifted to her stomach, a faint smile ying on his lips. His voice, soft yet unsettling, broke the silence. “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re pregnant. I have no intention of hurting you. Please try to stay calm.”


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