Chapter 26

“But you didn’t marry her.” Eamon glanced up, coughing a bit. “Then those shares aren’t yours! They were meant for Callie. If you don’t want her, then I’ll just give them to her directly!”

“But why her? I’m your grandson!” Gideon fumed.

“Gideon, Callie saved my life. Without her, I wouldn’t be here. Those shares are my way of thanking her,” Eamon said, calmly and deliberately. “You didn’t want to treat Callie right, and now she’s moved on. You reap what you sow, so don’t blame anyone else.”

“Alright, enough of that.” Eamon waved a hand dismissively. His tone softened as he turned to Calliope. “Callie dear, where’s Silas? Why isn’t he here yet?”

Just as Calliope was about to speak, Silas strolled in from outside.

His presence was commanding, effortlessly drawing attention. Without so much as a glance at anyone else in the room, he went straight to Calliope.

“Are you settling in okay? No one’s giving you a hard time, right?”

Calliope looked up at him and smiled, free from the timidity she once showed around Gideon.

“No, not at all.”

Gideon watched her closely. There was something different about her. She hadn’t changed in appearance, yet she looked more beautiful than ever. No longer meek, no longer seeking his approval, she seemed to shine in a way he had never noticed before.

Seeing Silas’s gentle demeanor, Gideon was reminded of his own impatience with Calliope in the past. A strange discomfort settled in his chest.

Why did his uncle have to treat her so well? Was it to rub salt in his wounds?

Silas whispered a few words to Calliope, bringing a bright smile to her face.

Then, he looked up at Gideon. “What are you staring at? Got something written on my face?”

Gideon wore a scowl. “No.”

He didn’t dare say much else. Just one look from Silas sent shivers down his spine.

Although Silas wasn’t a Baker by blood, he held a top position in the family. Even Gideon’s father was wary of him.

Gideon was mad that Calliope had chosen Silas. He was even madder that he couldn’t measure up to Silas. How could Calliope not marry him and go for a man who outshone him in every way?

“Stop staring at my wife,” Silas warned, a hint of menace in his voice.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small box and handed it to Calliope. “Picked this up earlier; thought you’d like it.”

“What is it?” Calliope looked at the box, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Open it and see.”

Inside the box lay a dazzling emerald necklace. Even at a glance, it was clear the piece was worth a fortune.

“Isn’t that the ‘Emerald Dream’? It’s worth millions, isn’t it, Uncle?” Dahlia exclaimed, eyes wide at the sight of the necklace.

Silas simply nodded before taking out the necklace and fastening it around Calliope’s neck himself.

She happened to be wearing a dress that matched the necklace perfectly. The jewelry accentuated her beauty, making her look like a rose kissed by morning dew.

Dahlia clapped her hands in exaggerated delight. “Wow, it’s stunning! Uncle treats Auntie so well… When she was with Gideon, I don’t think he ever gave her anything this lavish.”

“Not even close,” Calista scoffed. “His gifts barely hit three figures.”