"Did you even listen to what I was saying?"


    Kallum reached out, gently turning her face toward him. At that moment, Calista finally fully opened her eyes.


    Calista wasn''t wrong about one thing. Her eyes were indeed beautiful. He had praised them countless times before. Whenever she focused her gaze on someone, it was bound to make their heart skip a beat. That was why his next words got stuck in his throat. It had been a long time since she had looked at him with such focus.


    "I... was talking to you!"


    Despite the evident passion in his words, there was an inexplicable softening in Kallum''s voice. His hand, which was touching her face, did not withdraw. Instead, he traced her features tenderly as if reluctant to let go. ""I''m really tired."


    Calista''s voice was soft. "Unless it''s something important, please refrain from speaking."


    Kallum''s actions paused, his expression turning somber.


    "Then tell me... What really matters?"


    "For instance, less idle chatter would be appreciated."


    Kallum''s gaze suddenly ignited with fire. "Calista! Do you really think..."


    Before he could finish his sentence, Calista had already moved downwards, resting on hisp. "Let me sleep a bit more."


    Her sudden closeness caught Kallum off guard, leaving him secretly delighted. That tiny spark of hope was instantly extinguished.


    Due to the rapid change, his expression seemed a bit silly, but he dared not move from his position, fearing that Calista might be ufortable in her sleep. He then sat up and closed his eyes to rest. His hand... finally came to rest gently on her shoulder.


    The palpable tension filled the entire carriage, so intense that one could hear a pin drop.


    Even though they were still in a cold war with each other, Calista''s intimacy softened Kallum''s heart. His tightly pursed lips couldn''t help but curve up slightly.


    Fine, I''ll just give her a bit more time to cool down.


    Shortly after, five ck cars pulled into the Ingram residence, which by then was already brightly lit.


    "Do you know how Quincy managed to connect with Horatio while she was in jail?"


    In front of the grand entrance, Kallum spoke up once again. His tone was noticeably more cheery. Calista nced at him. "Do tell."


    "Quincy is pregnant!"


    Calista was taken aback.


    "Horatio was quite the dominant figure even in prison. Once he had everything arranged, his time in jail was almost like a vacation, which is why he had the chance to meet her." Kallum softly rified things for Calista.


    "Well, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise," Calista said, shaking her head as she looped her arm through Kallum''s.


    At present, they had only postponed their wedding to the public. Her "child" was still in the picture, so she and Kallum were still together.


    Once again, he was enveloped by her faint, cool fragrance. It was at that moment that Kallum''s demeanor suddenly softened.


    "Calista."


    "Hmm?"


    Kallum nervously pressed his lips together.


    "Can we... make amends?"


    When Calista looked up, she saw Kallum''s eyes darting away due to his nervousness. Once he spoke, it became much easier to carry on the conversation.


    "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to question you that day. I know you once... loved me very much."


    He wore a smile tinged with bitterness, standing at the entrance of the magnificent golden gate. Setting aside his dignity and restraint, he looked at her with a sense of relief.


    "I''m not forcing you to return to any certain point, but at the very least, could you please not ignore me?"


    These past couple of days, he felt like he was almost suffocating.


    Before Calista could utter a word, an ted voice rang out. "The presence of Mr. Kallum truly graces our gathering!"


    Sixty-year-old Horatio strode in, looking as youthful as a forty-year-old. When he saw Calista, a subtle glint shed in his eyes.


    As Calista faced her nemesis, her demeanor changed instantly. Kallum responded in kind, "Since Mr. Ingram has invited me, how could I possibly refuse?"


    "Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence. Please,e inside!"


    "This way."


    Kallum led Calista into the room.


    As soon as they entered, they instantly became the center of attention. Thebination of a handsome man and a beautiful woman was always a pleasing sight to the eyes. However, what really sparked people''s curiosity was the nature of their rtionship.


    "Do you think it''s true that the girl named Calista is really pregnant? If she is, why would they dy the wedding?"


    Someone sneered, "Perhaps the child''s father is someone else?"


    Otherwise, how would one exin the sudden decision to postpone the wedding on the eve of the ceremony?


    In the momentary absence of Kallum, Calista found her path blocked by Jarrett.


    "It''s been a while, hasn''t it?" Jarrett, with sses perched on his nose and dressed in a beige suit, looked every bit the sessful businessman. Yet, behind those lenses, there was a hint of mischief. "I haven''t thanked you for what happenedst time."


    Calista understood clearly. Jarrett


    Ret


    had been missing for quite some time, and it was certain that he had used the people left behind by Sterling, as well as the downfall the Wolford family, to seize the market swiftly. The Sinir family and the Wolford family had always beenpetitors. Judging from Jarrett''s radiant and cheerful appearance, he must have been


    quite pleased with himself recently.


    "No need for thanks. I haven''t forgotten the agreement between us. Helping you is like helping myself," Calista said with a smile.


    "So, is this agreementing into


    effect now?" Jarrett nced at


    Kallum, who was not far away, being stopped by Horatio. Heughed and said, "You''re pregnant, yet the wedding is canceled. What''s this? Has Kallum finally changed his heart? Then are you going to take my route of retreat?"