Chapter 202
In the diner, Big Guy and the others were extremely grateful. They started to try on the gifts one by one.
There was a shiny watch, a sleek helmet, and a dapper tie, each more expensive than the last. They were worth thousands if not tens of thousands, not the kind of stuff youโd expect to see in a cozy little diner like this.
While trying them on, they were showing them off to Calliope.
Calliope just smiled and told them how great they looked.
โDo you think this suits me, Calliope?โ one of them asked, adjusting the watch on his wrist.
โAbsolutely,โ she replied with a grin, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight.
Across the street, Horatio and his brothers stood silently, peering inside. They watched Calliope laugh and joke, her face relaxed and joyful. It had been so long since theyโd seen her smile like that.
Every time they got together, it was always about Lisette, always ending in some heated arguments. Calliope would refuse to apologize, growing more distant with each confrontation. And now, she rarely smiled around them, her innocence and warmth a distant memory.
Through the glass, they saw a glimpse of the little girl who had first joined the Jewell family, who was shy but endearing. As the youngest and only daughter, her three brothers doted on her. Theyโd wanted to give her everything and protect her. Yes, they had been good to her once.
But she was always competing with Lisette and causing trouble. Lisette was the picture of perfectionโobedient, bright, and successful. On the other hand, Calliope was rebellious, getting expelled, chasing after rich menโฆ
It was her fault. She deserved it!
Theyโd given her plenty of chances. She didnโt want them. Who else could she blame?
With those thoughts, they turned away and got into their car, driving off into the evening.
Back in the dinerโs courtyard, Calliope leaned against a stone table, deep in thought. Sheโd noticed Horatioโs leg seemed weaker than before. He might soon need a wheelchair again.
Her mind drifted back to the time sheโd helped him recover. His spinal nerve damage required long-term acupuncture treatment. Sheโd known that. But he had never acknowledged her help, never appreciated it. He only trusted Lisette.
โLet him go to Lisette then,โ Calliope thought. If her patient refused treatment, how could she be blamed?
With a light chuckle, Calliope shrugged off the thoughts.
She remembered sheโd promised to visit Silas at the Baker Group. Checking the time, she bid farewell to her friends and left for the companyโs headquarters.
At the Baker Group building, Calliope took a deep breath and walked inside.
The receptionist eyed her warily. โExcuse me, miss, you donโt seem to be with our company. Do you have business here?โ
โIโm here to see Mr. Myers,โ Calliope replied confidently.
โYou need an appointment to see Mr. Myers. Do you have one?โ The receptionist looked her up and down, eyebrows knitting together in skepticism.