Chapter 211
Gideon lunged toward Calliope, his intentions clear as day. Just as he was about to kiss her, Calliope’s hand flew up, landing a sharp slap across his face.
She didn’t stop there. With a swift kick, she sent Gideon sprawling heavily to the floor, leaving him utterly bewildered.
As he lay there, trying to gather his scattered thoughts, the office door swung open.
Silas strode in, his expression darkening dangerously at the sight of Gideon on the ground.
“What are you doing?” his voice boomed across the room.
Gideon’s heart raced, pounding so hard it felt like it might jump right out of his chest. Nervously glancing at Calliope, his eyes darting cunningly, he quickly concocted a story while his mind was still in a whirl. “Uncle Silas, I… I just slipped!”
“Slipped, huh?” Silas turned his gaze to Calliope, eyebrows raised in question.
Calliope shot Gideon a sideways glance, recognizing the panic and silent threat in his eyes. She smirked slightly and nodded at Silas. “Yeah, he did.”
With Calliope’s confirmation, Silas let it slide. He handed her a small box with a gentle smile, “Callie, I bought a cupcake for you just now. I remember you saying it’s your favorite.”
“Thanks.” Calliope, ever the well-behaved one, took the cupcake and nibbled on it.
Silas returned to his desk and summoned Gideon over.
“So, what brings you here?”
Gideon, still rattled, stole another glance at Calliope, feeling the lingering cold sweat on his back as he was so frightened of her telling on him. He wasn’t sure why he’d acted so impulsively, but he was both angry and inexplicably drawn to securing that kiss.
After the last glance at her, he turned and approached Silas.
“Uncle Silas,” Gideon paused as if pondering over something, and then pulled out a document. “Here’s the guest list I made for my wedding. Grandpa wanted you to check if anyone’s missing.”
Glancing up at Gideon, Silas took the list and scanned it briefly, adding a few names.
“That’s it,” Silas said. “Make sure these additional folks are invited; they’re important business contacts.”
“Got it,” Gideon nodded. He lingered, unsure whether to leave.
Silas, sensing this, studied him for a moment before asking, “You’re still here. Anything else on your mind?” “No…” Gideon hesitated, then remembered, “Oh, yes. Yvette’s parents are coming over for dinner tomorrow. Grandpa insists you both join us.”
He secretly hoped Silas and Calliope wouldn’t attend, but since it was his grandfather’s requirement, there was little he could do.
He gazed at Silas, hoping the latter would decline. In his opinion, having him, his parents and grandfather at the dinner would suffice.
But Silas, who was always tied up at work with no free time to spare, didn’t refuse this time, and instead, he agreed without hesitation.
“Sure, just send me the details. I’ll be there on time.”
“Alright.”
Gideon felt a mix of frustration and resignation. He knew Calliope’s background wasn’t the best, but Yvette’s was even less impressive. He was well aware of her parents’ situation. Tomorrow’s dinner could turn embarrassing, but he had no choice.
As he turned to leave, Gideon glanced at Calliope once more. She sat there, radiating grace and elegance, even in casual attire, exuding an aura of refined poise that seemed so effortless.