Chapter 54

If Calliope married her son, she naturally thought she could handle any future daughter-in-law issues with ease. Worst-case scenario, she figured she could secure her shares and then orchestrate a divorce.

After all, it was tough for a woman to find a new partner post-divorce, but someone as exceptional as Gideon? He’d have no problem.

Fleur tried to keep her composure, forcing a smile that was more pitiful than pleasant. “I was wrong before, and I’m here to apologize!”

“Just a verbal apology?” Calliope pouted. “Words don’t mean much to me. Surely, a nice gift is in order, right? A little compensation for emotional damages? You’ve hurt me, and I’ve been dispirited for quite a while!”

She looked at Fleur, then at Gideon. “You think a simple ‘sorry’ suffices after causing so much distress? Shows a lack of sincerity.”

With gritted teeth, Fleur reluctantly pulled out her phone. “Alright, I was wrong. I apologize. Here’s a little something for you!”

She transferred a thousand dollars to Calliope.

Calliope glanced at the screen. “What is this, some pocket change?”

Fleur was on the verge of losing her cool, but Gideon held her back. She forced another smile and transferred twenty thousand dollars to Calliope.

Only then did Calliope beam, “Thanks, I won’t be shy about accepting it. Consider it my emotional damages payment.”

After that, she turned her gaze to Gideon. “And you?”

Gideon took a deep breath. “Callie, all my money is yours. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”

“I don’t need much. Just compensate me for the years of anguish. Let’s say fifty thousand a year for five years… that’s two hundred fifty thousand, but that doesn’t sound right. Let’s round it to three hundred thousand.”

Calliope smiled sweetly.

“You!” Fleur was fuming, thinking Calliope was being outrageously greedy.

“Alright, I’ll give it to you.”

Gideon quickly made the transfer, and soon enough, Calliope received the confirmation. Pleased, she nodded. “Alright, I forgive you for all the past grievances!”

“And what about you guys?” Calliope turned to face the rest. “You’ve caused me plenty of headaches too, right? You’ve probably received quite a few favors for inviting me today. Now that I’m here, shouldn’t I get a cut?”

Her bright eyes shifted from Zelda to Monty, then to Lisette.

Monty’s eyelid twitched. “How much do you want?”

If it wasn’t for the sake of keeping her and Gideon together, he wouldn’t even consider giving her money.

Calliope raised her hand, showing five fingers.

“At least this much. They’ve already given me over three hundred thousand. You’re my real parents; it can’t be less than that, right?”

Monty was speechless.

“You’re asking for an absurd amount!” Zelda was livid. “What contribution have you made? Why should we give you so much? Lisette has worked tirelessly for the company without asking for nearly that much!”

“Worked tirelessly or worked to bleed the company dry?” Calliope’s lips curled upward. It was as if she could see right through Lisette.

Lisette’s heart lurched. Calliope had barely set foot in the company. After initially joining, Calliope had been kicked out for botching several projects and hadn’t been involved with Jewell Group since. How could she possibly know what she had been secretly up to?

“Callie, you’re such a joker,” Lisette laughed awkwardly.