Gideon was practically frozen at the doorway. He peered through the door and saw what was happening inside.


    Calliope sat in the boss''s chair while Franco stood beside her, looking respectful and attentive.


    Honestly, seeing her like this, handling business, she really did look like a boss. Her presence was just somanding.


    And their conversation just a moment ago...


    The rent alone was that much? What was going on?


    Gideon squinted his eyes. Was Calliope really that wealthy? Did she own not only


    this club but a bunch of other shops and businesses too?


    He could hardly wrap his head around it. As he walked away from the door, he was in aplete daze.


    Was he dreaming? He pinched his leg hard, trying to snap out of it.


    He was sure the club wasn''t Ss''s. The properties Franco mentioned had nothing to do with Ss either. So, were all these things actually Calliope''s? Was Calliope that wealthy? Where did all this moneye from?


    The Jewell family was a mess. And wasn''t Calliope considered the ck sheep of the Jewell family? Nobody in the Jewell family liked her. Yet, she was so rich at such a young age. Really?


    Gideon couldn''t make sense of it. Dazed, he stumbled into the auction room and sank into a seat in the corner. Images of Calliope signing those papers kept shing in his mind. She seemed like apletely different person.


    What was going on?


    Gideon clenched his fists tightly, his veins bulging, and after a while, he buried his head in his hands. He


    wanted to march right up to Calliope, grab her, and demand


    answers. But he knew he couldn''t


    confront her like that.


    If he acted impulsively, Calliope wouldn''t tell him anything. She had kept her


    identity hidden for a reason, and she would continue to do so.


    "Calliope! Who exactly are you?" Gideon narrowed his eyes, memories of moments spent with Calliope shing.


    In a sudden moment of rity, he recalled something. Calliope gave him birthday presents each year, and they were always extravagant. Back then, he hadn''t thought much of it.


    But thinking back, the Jewell family didn''t spoil her or give her money. Where did she get the money to buy him such expensive gifts? Unless she was wealthy herself!


    So, had he missed something? Had he been so focused on the small things that he overlooked something much bigger?


    Gideon''s face grew more troubled, and his heart was racing with anxiety. He remembered Ss''s words, saying Calliope was far more capable than he imagined. Was that why Ss was willing to marry her? Despite the ridicule and gossip, he wanted to marry Calliope because he already knew who she was, right?


    Damn it! Gideon punched his leg in frustration.


    The auction was about to start, and people were filing in. Soon, the room was nearly full.


    Gideon tried topose himself, lifting his deep-set eyes and calcting his next steps.


    The auction was lively, with


    everyone eagerly bidding on items. Gideon had forgotten why he hade there in the first ce until Calliope entered the auction room. His gaze instantly locked onto her.


    The auction had reached its final item, and Calliope''s eyes were fixed on it. It was


    clear she was very interested.