Calliope and Ss were casually chatting and munching on snacks, not really paying much attention to the newlyweds up on the stage.


    Once the speeches and toasts were done, Gideon and Yvette started making their rounds, clinking sses with each table. Given that Yvette was pregnant, Gideon made sure she wasn''t drinking, doing most of the toasting himself.


    When they reached Calliope''s table, Gideon locked eyes with Calliope for what felt like an eternity. He nearly forgot to toast.


    A gentle nudge brought him back to reality, and he raised his ss to everyone at the table. As he moved on, he gave Calliope onest lingering look.


    "He''s definitely not over you," Ss remarked, almost offhandedly.


    "I''ve been done with him for ages," Calliope replied with a shrug. "Even if he regrets it now, it''s toote. We''re adults. We''ve got to own up to our choices, right?"


    She turned to Ss, "What do you think of Calista?"


    "He''s impressive," Ss nodded. "Never really paid him much attention before, but now, he seems like the true heir the Baker family needs."


    Calliope felt a wave of relief wash over her. She genuinely believed Calista was the best choice. If someone had to lead the Baker family, it should be him. It


    seemed Ss thought so too.


    "Thinking of mentoring him?"


    "I''ve already had a chat with him. He''s nning to drop by the office soon," Ss replied. "You like him too, don''t you?"


    "Yeah, both Calista and Dahlia are exceptional kids."


    Calliope was genuinely fond of them. They were sharp and intuitive and had


    always clicked with her from the moment she joined the Baker family.


    Calista was particrly savvy. You needed that kind of cunning to sit at the head of the table.


    Gideon might be older, but he didn''t hold a candle to Calista.


    "Calista is sharp. I''ve looked into his academics-solid stuff. He''s been flying under the radar, but he''s got ambition and knows how to show it when it counts. Smart kid."


    "You can tell he''s strategic about when toy dow and when to show his cards, Ss added, clearly impressed. He had once settled on Gideon by default, but with Calista emerging as a contender, he saw a more promising future for the Baker Group under Calista''s leadership.


    Plus, Calista was young, with plenty of room to grow.


    Gideon, on the other hand, was set in his ways. He had some smarts and skills,


    but his potential had a ceiling, one that Ss could clearly see.


    Ss had never been thrilled with Gideon''s limitations. Initially, he considered passing the reins to Gideon because of his rtionship with Calliope. He thought it might make her life easier.


    But now, with no such ties holding him back and a better candidate in sight, things were different.


    After a while, Calliope excused herself, heading towards the restroom. As she stepped out of the banquet hall, she ran into Yvette.


    "Aunt Calliope, can we chat for a moment?" Yvette asked, stopping her in her tracks.


    Calliope gaye Yvette a once-over. "What''s there to talk about? I think it''s best if we don''t. The evening''s


    almost over, don''t you think you should focus on wrapping up the wedding peacefully?"