Chapter 25

“You’re joking, right? Does Gideon need me to live up to him? Well, I’m giving him a chance, aren’t I? I’m not hogging his wife spot anymore. He can go ahead and marry Yvette now.”

Calliope chuckled. “You must be quite fond of Yvette. Sure, she has no pedigree, can’t boost Gideon’s career, and won’t be getting any shares in the company, but she’s sweet and kind-hearted. Maybe she’ll even give him a bunch of healthy kids. Shares and career prospects—who cares about those things, right? Gideon doesn’t need a perfect match. True love is what really matters!”

She leaned back with a playful smile. “Don’t worry, I’m his dear aunt now. As his elder, I’ll be sure to look after the little ones!”

Fleur felt her temples throb with irritation at the thought of shares and Yvette’s background. She wanted to snap back but couldn’t find the words.

Just then, Gideon walked in.

Who knew how much he had overheard from the doorway? His face was ashen, as if he were ready to tear someone apart.

Calliope turned to him with exaggerated delight. “Oh, look! Isn’t this my dear nephew! Our big boy is back! Why are you so quiet? Haven’t you been taught to greet your elders properly?”

Calliope’s tone was dripping with sarcasm.

A few onlookers in the room were struggling to hold back their laughter.

Gideon’s face had turned the color of overripe plums, quite the spectacle. He felt the entire family was watching him like he was the punchline to a joke.

His gaze was icy as he looked at Calliope, his eyes full of questions.

Calliope’s smile had a touch of an elder’s affection as she met Gideon’s stare.

Gideon couldn’t see the timid, meek woman Calliope used to be, nor her old fear of him. She seemed utterly unconcerned with him.

This realization made Gideon’s heart skip a beat.

She couldn’t possibly not care about him; she had to be pretending.

He took a few strides to Calliope, leaned in, and said in a low voice, “Come out. I need a word with you!”

Instinctively, he reached for her hand.

As soon as he touched her, she responded with a quick slap.

“Gideon! I’m your aunt now. What are you doing, getting all handsy with your elder?”

“I just wanted to talk to you!” Gideon couldn’t believe it, holding his face in shock. Calliope didn’t hold back; her slap made his face sting and swell.

“There are boundaries, Gideon. If you want to speak to me, do it properly.”

“You…”

Gideon turned angrily to Eamon. “Grandpa, did you see that? Look at how she…”

Eamon, who had appeared half-asleep moments ago, suddenly perked up. “What about Callie? She’s right, you know. Her status has changed, she’s Silas’s wife now. You should be more mindful, Gideon.”

Gideon seethed with frustration. He stormed up to Eamon. “Grandpa, didn’t you say she was supposed to marry me? Didn’t you promise that if I married her, I’d get shares?”

Losing the shares was hard enough. And watching the woman who had once chased after him now standing beside someone else? It was unbearable!