Chapter 97

“Who got on your nerves today?” Uriah asked, lounging casually on the corner of Silas’s desk, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. “Come on, Mr. Myers, who would dare upset the great you?” he teased, grinning.

Silas shot him a glance, not in the mood for banter.

“Was it Calliope who ticked you off?” Uriah’s eyes sparkled with mischief, enjoying the situation too much. “I told you that she’s not into you. Even if you do the noble thing and marry her, she won’t thank you for this. You’re just asking for trouble!”

“Why don’t you get lost and stop bothering me?” Silas retorted, giving Uriah a light kick.

Uriah brushed off his pants, unruffled. “I’m just trying to help. Maybe if you spill the beans, I can offer some advice?”

Silas looked up at Uriah, words hanging on the tip of his tongue, but ultimately, he shook his head. “You haven’t even had your first kiss yet. What advice could you give me?”

“Wow, that stings, man!” Uriah feigned hurt. “Words like arrows, huh?”

Silas chuckled softly. “You weren’t being nice, either.”

“I’m just speaking the truth. Mavis told me Calliope’s got her heart set on Gideon, your nephew. Marrying you might be her way of acting out. Women are stubborn creatures when it comes to love. She’s been after Gideon for years. Why would she give up so easily? And even if she claims to have moved on, there’s always that lingering bitterness.”

“Love’s a cruel beast, you know. That’s why I’m smarter than you. I don’t fall for any woman. They’re more trouble than they’re worth!” Uriah said smugly, “I steer clear of drama.”

Silas smirked, “Mavis is a woman.”

“She’s different. She’s my apprentice,” Uriah clarified. “It’s purely a mentor–student relationship.”

“Oh, mentor–student, huh? Does Mavis see it that way, too?”

“Of course,” Uriah replied confidently. “We’re as innocent as they come. Don’t get any funny ideas.”

“Sure.” Silas leaned back, a sly smile on his lips. “But what if Mavis’s feelings aren’t so innocent? What if she confessed that she liked you?”

Uriah frowned. “That would never happen.”

“But if it did?”

“Then I’d nip that nonsense in the bud.”

“You wouldn’t fall for Mavis?” Silas asked, clearly entertained by the conversation.

“Not a chance,” Uriah said sternly. “I don’t need the hassle of romance. Women become complications, and I don’t need any vulnerabilities. You know the life I lead, so no, never.”

With that, Uriah hopped off the desk.

“Enough about me. Let’s focus on your predicament. She’s already your wife. Got any plans to win her over?”

“Any suggestions?” Silas asked, deep in thought.

“Flowers?” Uriah offered somewhat sheepishly.

Silas gave him a long, penetrating look. “Why am I even asking you, Mr. No Experience? Get out of here!”

“Hey, I’m just trying to help! You heartless jerk,” Uriah laughed, waving off Silas’s dismissal as he headed out.

With Uriah gone, Wynton entered to discuss business with Silas.

Silas’s intense gaze lingered on him for a moment too long.

“Mr. Myers, is there something on your mind?” Wynton asked, nervously scratching his head. Silas’s look made him uneasy, despite having checked the calendar to ensure today was supposedly a lucky day.