Chapter 435

Gideon stormed into the office, his face flushed with anger, and locked eyes with Calista.

Silas, sitting calmly behind his desk, met Gideon’s furious gaze without flinching.

Gideon rarely visited the main office and even less frequently set foot in Silas’s domain. Yet here was Calista, comfortably settled in Silas’s office, stirring a tempest of anxiety within him.

The unsettling thought clawed at Gideon: Calista was here to replace him. Silas was offering him the opportunity to step into his shoes.

“Uncle Silas invited me,” Calista replied coolly, glancing at Gideon. “He thought I should learn a few things from him. There’s some stuff about my studies I need to discuss with him too.”

“What’s your angle, Calista?” Gideon narrowed his eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re eyeing the Baker Group?”

“And if I am?” Calista shot back as he glanced at Gideon nonchalantly. “You’ve got your sights set on the Baker Group too, haven’t you? Someone has to take over eventually, and I don’t see why it can’t be me. I know I have what it takes.”

Despite his youth, Calista exuded a shrewd ambition that Gideon had never noticed before, leaving him incredulous.

“I’m the eldest. The Baker Group is supposed to be mine to inherit! I should be the one managing it. Calista, you’re just a student, do you think you have the capability?”

Calista nodded. “I might be a student now, and indeed, I haven’t become that capable, but with Uncle Silas mentoring me, I won’t stay inexperienced for long.”

Gideon’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Listen, Gideon,” Calista continued with a smirk, “inheritance isn’t about age. Your dad, my dad–they both wanted to take the reins, but they didn’t have what it takes, did they?”

Gideon turned to Silas. “Uncle Silas, are you doing this on purpose because you’re mad at me? Do you think this is fair? Isn’t it a bit much to treat me this way?”

Silas regarded Gideon with a steady gaze. “Are you questioning me? Let me make it clear, I do what I want. I choose who I want. If you think you can call the shots, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“But why?” Gideon exclaimed, raking his hands through his hair. “You used to believe in my abilities!”

“No, you’re wrong.” Silas gazed at Gideon. “I didn’t choose you because I thought you were exceptional. I chose you because I believed you could make Callie happy. But you squandered that opportunity, and you’ve got no one to blame but yourself.

And let’s not forget, I do hold a grudge. Your wife, Yvette, crossed a line with mine, and I’m holding you accountable for that.”

Gideon’s heart trembled, his red-rimmed eyes fixed on Silas. “Uncle Silas, you can’t blame me for what Yvette did! I had no clue she was up to that. If I had known, I would have stopped her!

Please, Uncle Silas, give me another chance! I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll straighten myself up. Whatever you’re unhappy with, I’ll change it all!”

Silas shook his head. “I don’t need you to change anything. I’ve already found someone more suitable.” Staggering slightly, Gideon steadied himself against the desk, glaring at Calista with venomous eyes. Calista stood unfazed, meeting Gideon’s gaze head-on, his demeanor calm and unyielding.