Chapter 417

Callie quickly walked away, heading straight for Silas.

Gideon watched her go, then glanced over at Silas, who was introducing Calista to people, showing him around like he once did with Gideon.

As he watched, a realization hit him. There was a time when Silas was grooming him to be his successor, but that time seemed to have passed. Recently, Silas had stopped involving him in important matters.

Disappointment—that was it. Silas was disappointed in him and no longer saw Gideon as the future leader he once did.

And now, Silas was investing his time in Calista, introducing him to all the right people. It was like a replay of how he once nurtured Gideon’s connections.

Silas wanted Calista to be the heir. That realization made Gideon’s face pale. He had once been in line to lead the Baker Group, but his own actions had changed Silas’s mind.

Silas held all the cards. He could choose whoever he wanted as his successor, and if he picked someone else, Gideon’s chances would evaporate.

If Calista took over, it would be a huge blow to his pride. He was still in high school, for crying out loud! And if he became the heir, what would that make him? The laughingstock of everyone who knew him!

A wave of urgency swept over Gideon. He felt like he was losing everything. He had to win back Silas’s favor and stop Calista from inheriting the Baker legacy. He was older, and theoretically, he should be the one to inherit.

Gideon’s eyes narrowed. He still cared about Calliope, but he couldn’t let that blind him to the importance of his family’s company. He needed the company, the power, and the wealth.

He watched Calista for a while. He used to think he was too young to pose any threat, but now, as he observed him interacting with people, he realized how wrong he was. He was charming, effortlessly making people laugh and like him. He’d been hiding his potential all along.

Silas eventually stepped away, leaving Calista alone, who put on his headphones and started fiddling with his phone.

Gideon couldn’t resist approaching him.

“Calista,” he called out.

He didn’t hear Gideon, too engrossed in his game. Gideon tapped his shoulder, and he finally looked up, pulling off his headphones.

“Gideon, what’s up?”

“So, Uncle Silas was introducing you to people, huh?” Gideon asked, raising an eyebrow.

Calista nodded slightly. “Yeah.”

“Is Uncle Silas planning to groom you? I mean, you love gaming, right? Managing a company doesn’t interest you, does it?”

Gideon gave him a knowing smile. “Wouldn’t you rather become a professional gamer?”

Calista glanced at him, putting away his phone and shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Gideon, I do love gaming. It’s my hobby, but it won’t be my career. And actually, Gideon, I find the idea of managing a company quite appealing.”