Chapter 218

“We can handle it, but the real question is, can you come up with enough of a bridal gift yourselves? In Capitalton, there’s this unwritten rule that the bride’s family should offer at least twenty percent more than the groom’s family, you know.”

Her words left the Jansen family momentarily stunned.

“That’s impossible!” Verena’s eyes widened. “You’re pulling our leg!”

“Why would I? Go ask around and you’ll know,” Calliope replied with a cool demeanor. “Honestly, the idea of marrying a girl from a regular family is already a bit of a letdown for the Bakers. I mean, if Yvette doesn’t marry into our family, who else would take her? You mentioned it yourselves, the invites are out. Yvette’s reputation is already on thin ice. Don’t let greed get in the way and end up with nothing. I believe you know how your daughter is, and the value she holds.”

Calliope crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly. “Surely, you’ve been spreading the news about her marrying into a prestigious family, right? If the wedding falls through, won’t your relatives have a field day laughing at you? On our end, it’s no biggie. Without Yvette, Gideon is still quite the catch. Finding someone of equal standing is no problem. If this wedding gets canceled, another can take its place just as easily.”

Calliope’s sharp words seemed to lighten Fleur up.

“Exactly, Callie’s right! If you don’t want the wedding, then so be it. It’s not like it has to happen!”

Upon hearing it, the Jansen family began to feel the pinch. They couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. If the Bakers really decided against Yvette, she’d have been left in a precarious position – no decent family would want her after this. Better to let her marry into the Bakers and hope for some long-term benefits.

“We’ll do it! Even without the wedding gift!” Trevor blurted out. “Let’s not argue with those fools, they only care about money. The young couple’s happiness is what counts!”

“Can we discuss things calmly now?” Fleur asked, looking at Verena and the others.

After some deliberation, they nodded in agreement.

Calliope, having said her piece, returned to her quiet, observant self.

Silas soon brought in a tray with some snacks, and Calliope nibbled on a croissant like a little hamster. Silas would occasionally reach over to gently wipe crumbs from her mouth with a fond smile.

Gideon couldn’t help but glance over at Calliope from time to time. His eyes tingled with emotion. He wasn’t sure since when he began feeling regret. Somewhere along the way, he had realized how much he wished she was his.

But she wasn’t. She sat beside Silas, who looked at her with such warmth and tenderness, as if she was the center of his world.

Seeing Silas’s gaze, and knowing that he had her, filled Gideon with a burning jealousy. As Fleur and the others continued hashing out wedding details, Gideon’s gaze remained fixated on Calliope, slowly awakening to what he had lost.

As Yvette took a glance at Gideon, she noticed his eyes lingering continuously on Calliope, and it made her blood boil with frustration and jealousy.

Thanks to Calliope’s intervention, the issue was resolved, and Fleur managed to smoothly navigate through the rest of the wedding arrangements.

Just as things were wrapping up, Silas received a call that darkened his expression slightly.

“Is something up?” Calliope asked, tilting her head.