Chapter 168 Jumping Into the Lake
Zachary’s emotions were running extremely high. He glared at Calista angrily.
Caliste was taken aback by his reaction, but she remained calm and continued, “I was just asking. There’s no need to get so worked up.”
Zachary furrowed his brows and asked, “Did Gloria say anything to you? You know what kind of person she is. She’d do anything for money.”
Calista nervously curled her fingers on the armrest of the couch.
“If that’s the deal, hand me a few strands of your hair. I’ll run a DNA test and shut those rumor- mongers up with the results.”
Zachary’s body trembled with a whirlwind of emotions. His fists clenched as he battled to contain the overwhelming feelings.
“You trust your money–focused aunt more than you trust me?” he questioned with
stration
Calista didn’t say a word, but her determination to get Zachary’s hair was clear. After a tense standoff of about five minutes, Zachary couldn’t endure the atmosphere any longer.
He pointed to the door and sternly ordered, “Get out immediately. Just get out.”
Calista hung her head. All the strength she had been holding onto seemed drained away at that moment. She exuded an air of desolation, and her entire being appeared fatigued.
“I understand,” she said.
Zachary stared at her with widened eyes.
“What do you understand?” he asked.
“I’m not your biological daughter, am I?” Calista asked while getting up from her seat.
Zachary felt uneasy under the intense gaze of the young woman in her twenties despite her limited life experience.
“I hope you weren’t involved in my mom’s death. Otherwise, I promise you’ll join her,” Calista remarked and walked away.
Zachary couldn’t shake the unsettling look she had given him and pursed his lips.
+15 BONUS
In truth, Calista didn’t leave the mansion right away. Instead, she approached a nearby trash bin outdoors and started to inspect it, noting it was full.
After waiting approximately ten minutes, a maid came out. Upon noticing Calista, she appeared surprisca.
“Ms. Everhart.”
Calista smiled faintly and said, “Madam, I need a favor.”
“A favor?
The maid had overheard Zachary and Calista’s conversation in the kitchen earlier despite the door being closed.
“Could you fetch a set of utensils my dad used without washing? Don’t fret. You’ll benefit from helping me out,” Calista said.
“Ms. Everhart, I …”
The maid looked troubled, aware that her job could be at risk if she assisted Calista and got caught.
“Here’s my contact. You can think it over and let me know when you’ve decided. I’m not in a hurry,
Calista added while handing her a slip of paper.
Calista had initially intended to celebrate New Year’s in Fort City this year but changed her mind due to unexpected circumstances and decided to stay in Capeton instead.
Instead of taking a taxi, Calista walked along the lakeside, lost in thought. Selena’s call came in as she sat on a bench by the road.
Despite Zachary not explicitly confirming that Calista was not his biological daughter, his attitude left no room for doubt.
Over the phone, Selena urged, “Calista, come home for the New Year. I had Macy buy your favorite dishes and snacks.”
After enduring two heartless betrayals from her family, hearing Selena’s compassionate voice warmed Calista’s heart. Her eyes filled with tears, and she couldn’t hide the emotion.
She softly uttered, “Mrs. Northwood …‘
”
“Hey, dear, why do you sound like you’ve been crying?” Selena grew concerned. “Did your dad
+15 BONUS
Selena was about to mention Lucian’s name out of habit, but then she remembered that the two had divorced, so Calista probably didn’t want to see him. She quickly corrected herself.
“I’ll pick you up immediately.”
Selena had already heard about Calista’s situation from Lucian.
Calista had calmed down. Although her voice was somewhat husky, she no longer sounded like she was crying.
She shook her head and said, “Hey, Mrs. Northwood, I’m good. Just caught a bit of a sore throat from the chilly wind by the lake. No need to swing by. I’m almost back home. Yara and I have some New Year’s trip plans, so I won’t make it over. Thanks for checking in, though!”
Selena glared at Lucian, who was scrolling his phone indifferently. She was so frustrated that she wanted to shake some sense into him.
She raised her voice and continued, “What? Are you thinking about something extreme, like jumping into the lake? Calista, please, never let yourself go there. Life is full of ups and downs, and there’s no problem too big to tackle. Remember, only life and health matters in the grand scheme of things. Everything will eventually pass!”
Puzzled, Calista clarified.
“Mrs. Northwood, I didn’t say I wanted to jump into the lake.”
“Are you already on the bridge? Please, come back right now. I’m on my way, so don’t do anything
rash!”
Selena rushed outside while shouting at the disconnected phone.
“Hurry back! It’s winter, and the wind is so strong. You’re up so high. What if you get blown off? Oh, my heart can’t take this!”
“Mom.”
Just then, Lucian caught up in a few strides. His stern face now bore a touch of menace. He grabbed her arm, steadying her swaying form.
“Stay at home. I’ll go bring her back.”
Selena was frustrated by Lucian’s seemingly indifferent attitude toward the situation. No wonder
“Do you know where Calista is?” she demanded
+15 BONUS
“Zachary has been staying at the Everhart Manor since returning to the country. There’s a lake by the villes.”
Lucian retrieved his car keys and headed outside. Selena watched as Lucian walked away, feeling something wasn’t quite right. After a moment, it finally dawned on her.
“Lucian, you’re still wearing flip–flops! You can’t drive in flip–flops. You better come back and change!”
However, Lucian had already opened the car door and was seated inside.
Willowbrook Lake, though an artificial one, covered a vast area. It took more than twenty minutes to drive around its perimeter.
Three bridges connected both sides of the lake, making them impassable by car.
Lucian drove along the lakeside road, but the view was mostly obstructed by a wide green belt separating the road from the pedestrian path.
It was now the warmest part of the afternoon, and quite a few people strolled by the lake as the New Year approached.
Lucian had to drive, carefully maneuvering through the crowd with a watchful eye on pedestrians and oncoming traffic. He was growing increasingly cautious and regretted not having a driver with him.
He constantly stopped and looked for Calista as he crossed the bridge. His journey, which typically took about twenty minutes, had now extended to over half an hour, and he still hadn’t completed the circuit.
Suddenly, a commotion up ahead drew a crowd.
“Oh no, someone jumped into the river!”
“It’s a young girl! Why would she do this on New Year’s? Does anyone know how to swim? We need to save her!”
Lucian swiftly pressed the brake pedal, bringing the car to a screeching halt.
