Chapter 50
As soon as Calliope saw them, she knew what they were up to. This bunch was here to play peacemakers, hoping to patch things up between her and Gideon. They were still clinging to the naive belief that she was just throwing a little tantrum and that sweet talk would smooth things over.
“You’re a girl!” Zelda fumed. “Can’t you say something nice for once? Calliope, you should take a leaf out of Lisette’s book and try to be a bit more ladylike. Honestly, I’m struggling to claim you as ours!”
Monty felt a headache coming on as he stared at Calliope. But Calliope remained unruffled, clearly indifferent to their opinions.
Fleur eyed Calliope with disdain, though her disdain didn’t extend to the shares in the Baker family company. As long as Calliope and Gideon stayed together, those shares would be Gideon’s. For Gideon to secure his place in the Baker family, those shares were crucial. Fleur was willing to put up with her distaste and negotiate with Calliope’s parents, offering certain incentives to broker a meeting with Calliope–all to secure those shares. If they couldn’t handle Calliope, surely her own parents could.
“Callie, sweetie, we asked you here because we have something important to discuss,” Fleur began. “I know you’re upset that Gideon left on the day of the wedding, but he was just being his noble self. He was worried about Yvette; he didn’t mean to leave you hanging! You’ve always been so capable. Even without Gideon, you manage splendidly, don’t you? So, don’t be mad at Gideon, Callie. He promises to make it up to you! Son, show her the gift, didn’t you get one to apologize?” Fleur coaxed, nudging Gideon lightly with her elbow.
Gideon reluctantly pulled out a box and handed it to Calliope.
“Callie, I know I messed up that day. Our folks are here as witnesses, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I swear I’ll do right by you from now on! This gift, I picked it just for you. Here, do you like it?”
Gideon opened the box as he spoke, revealing a set of jewelry–a diamond necklace and ring. They were decent, but not exactly extravagant, almost like an afterthought given Gideon’s means. If he truly cared, he could have gone for something much grander.
Calliope wasn’t the naive girl she once was. In the past, she would have loved anything he gave her, even if it was a ring made from a soda can tab. But now, with her head clear, this jewelry didn’t impress her at all. She had plenty of similar pieces, and Silas’s gifts were tenfold more luxurious than that.
“Oh, how thoughtful!” Calliope smiled slightly, placing her hand on the table. Gideon’s ring looked pitiful next to the one on her finger, like a trinket compared to a treasure. Calliope wiggled her fingers. “You see, my husband gave me this beauty, and yours is like a baby in comparison. I mean, I can’t wear something so… underwhelming out, can I? Oh, and the necklace too! Check it out, the Moonlight Goddess!” Calliope pulled out the necklace hanging around her neck. “Just a little something, you know, eight figures, with two more figures on the price tag compared to yours. Mom, Dad, isn’t my necklace beautiful? Oh, by the way, Fleur, take a look too. You’re the jewelry expert here, what do you think?”