Ss heard it, but he didn''t turn around. Only after Calliope settled into the car did he close the door and nce over at Gideon.


    "What is it?"


    "Uncle, do you mean it?"


    "Do I look like I''m joking?"


    Gideon fell silent, his face clouded with gloom.


    "You''ve always liked Callie?"


    "Kind of," Ss replied, casting a quick nce at Gideon. "I should thank you for stepping aside." Gideon was stunned, his eyes wide with shock. "Why?"


    "Why do I like her, or why am I thanking you?" Ss tilted his head gracefully, his expression calm andposed. "She''s more amazing than you realize. One day, you''ll regret it. You barely know her, and losing her will be the biggest mistake of your life."


    Without another word, Ss opened the car door and got in.


    The car drove off swiftly, leaving Gideon standing there, troubled by Ss''s words.


    What did he mean? Was Calliope really that remarkable?


    She was just a forgotten girl, always so lovesick, without a career, seemingly useless, spending her days chasing after him. Even their marriage seemed so casual-once he was gone, she left and married his uncle.


    How could such a woman be exceptional? His uncle must be blind.


    Gideon smirked bitterly. Love is blind, isn''t it? How had Calliope managed to charm his uncle?


    He spent a restless night pondering, but came to no conclusion.


    He didn''t think much of Calliope, nor did he think Ss should. How could someone like her marry a man more outstanding than himself, let alone his uncle?


    ...


    When Calliope was with the Baker family, she and Ss unted their affection openly. But once home, she felt a bit timid.


    After all, there was no real emotional foundation between her and Ss. He was likely helping her out of gratitude, as she''d once helped him. She worried that her actions might trouble him, or make him unhappy.


    "I''m sorry," she said cautiously as soon as they got home.


    Ss nced at her, his brows knitted slightly. "Sorry for what?"


    "For using your reputation to deal with them. Does that bother you?


    And this ne... Thank you for lending it to me. I''ll take it off and give it back now."


    The ne was worth millions - not that it was a fortune for him, but it certainly was for most people. Calliope felt undeserving of it. She assumed Ss was just being courteous, offering her the ne he''d just acquired.


    After all, everyone knew Ss had someone special in his heart. He was so exceptional, so wless, yet always distant from romance-it spoke volumes.


    He must have gone through great lengths to acquire this ne, likely intending it for the woman he truly cared about. Taking her ce and wearing the ne felt inappropriate.


    Now her eyes, clear and bright, locked onto Ss. Her small, delicate features, touched with a hint of makeup, made her look stunning today, like a flower blooming in the rain, vibrant and fresh.


    In her haste to remove the ne, she struggled, her face flushing with effort.