Dorothy bowed slightly. "Yes, Madam."

She led a few maids around Lucien and headed straight upstairs.

Lucien pointed at Eleanor, fuming. "You-you're being completely unreasonable!"

But in front of Eleanor, who was obviously pissed, his anger still lost a few notches.

He didn't dare push things too far with her.

Not long after, the maids came back down with an armful of fancy boxes and bags, dumping them right at Angelina's feet.

Eleanor pointed at the pile and snapped, "Take your stuff and get out!"

Angelina's eyes instantly welled with tears, and they started falling uncontrollably.

She looked like the typical pitiful heroine in a soap opera, as if the Godfreys were the villains bullying her for no reason.

Lucien immediately pulled her behind him.

"Mrs. Carmody, this is really unnecessary. If you don't like her, fine-I'll take her and go."

He paused, glancing at Calliope. "I owe you an apology for today. But I'm not changing my decision."

Then he tightened his hold on Angelina's hand. "If I've chosen someone, I won't let go."

He turned around, pulling Angelina along without looking back.

"This got out of hand..." Jonathan sighed, looking conflicted, and hurried after them.

"Lucien, Angelina, wait!"

Angelina stopped and turned around to Jonathan, her eyes still glistening. "Mr. Godfrey, I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble."

Jonathan's heart ached a little seeing her like that. "Don't say that. This isn't your fault."

He leaned in closer and spoke softly, "Angelina, don't forget our deal. Be at the company on Monday. The Technical Director position is still waiting for you."

Angelina nodded gently. "Okay, Mr. Godfrey. I won't forget. Thank you."

Just as Lucien and Angelina stepped out of the Godfrey mansion, another clatter came from behind them.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Those bags and boxes got tossed out again.

A few of the fancy boxes even popped open, and their contents spilled all over the place.

Angelina turned to look at the jewelry and accessories she'd cherished over the past six months, now strewn across the ground like they were trash. Her expression twisted with hurt and embarrassment.

Lucien gave the mess a quick glance, pulled her into his arms, and said in a low voice, "Forget it. Whatever you need from now on, I'll get it for you. We don't need any of that junk."

In the living room.

Eleanor held Calliope in her arms, tears streaming down her face in silence.

"Callie, it's all my fault. I should've known better. I brought all this pain upon you... I'm sorry, sweetheart..."

Calliope gently patted her mother's back, motion calm yet comforting.

Compared to Lucien's betrayal, what really crushed her mother's heart this time... was probably Angelina's.

After all, she had truly cared for Angelina over these past months.

"Mom, don't blame yourself. This isn't on you. Some people are just born heartless. No matter how well you treat them, it's never enough."

Just then, Jonathan walked in with a grim face.

He didn't so much as glance at the mother-daughter pair and snorted before heading straight into the study.

"Mom, did you notice something off about Dad today?" Calliope suddenly asked.

"He's probably just trying not to offend Lucien," Eleanor replied, trying to excuse him, though her words lacked conviction.

Calliope let out a dry laugh.

Her father came from modest roots-everything they had today, they owed to her mother's family.

Even after all those years in business, his small-minded ways never changed.

But Calliope always felt like there was more to him than met the eye.

"Mom," she said quietly, "even if Dad wanted to stay on Lucien's good side, would he really turn a blind eye to his own daughter and take some outsider's side?"

Eleanor stared at her daughter, stunned.

Calliope took her mother's slightly cold hand, her voice low and serious. "Just... keep an eye on him, okay? Especially when it comes to money. House expenses, company finances-look into them more. No matter what, make sure you have a little saved up for yourself. Just in case."

Eleanor wasn't naïve.

Calliope's words weren't subtle anymore.

Thinking back to her husband's odd behavior lately, combined with how he usually acted...

Eleanor suddenly felt short of breath, like her chest was tightening.

"Callie, I hear you," she said hoarsely.

Back in her room, Calliope locked the door.

The will her grandfather had left her stated that she owned part of Stellar Group's shares.

But it came with strings attached-until she turned twenty-five, if unmarried, her parents would manage it jointly; if married, she'd get direct control over forty percent.

In her past life, she'd married Lucien tomorrow-and with that, gained control over the company.

But now? The wedding was off. Lucien-obviously no longer qualified.

So, if she wanted to keep her inheritance safe from Jonathan and Lucien, she had to find a solid marriage candidate. Fast.

With that in mind, she pulled out her phone and opened her chat with Olivia Fletcher.

[Hey Liv, you there?]

As soon as she sent the message, Olivia called.

"Callie!" Olivia's voice was practically boiling with gossip energy. "Someone in the group chat said Lucien showed up at your place to call off the wedding and now he wants to marry that chick Angelina who's staying with you?? Is that true?!"

"Yeah," Calliope sighed and rubbed her temples. "It's true."

"No freaking way!" Olivia exploded, "Did he lose his damn mind? He dumped you - smart, gorgeous, the real deal - for that manipulative little angel act? Seriously, is he blind?"

"I told you right from the beginning, didn't I? That guy may look all put together, but he's just smooth on the surface-totally shady underneath. You didn't believe me!"

Olivia was clearly furious, rattling off curses like a machine gun.

Calliope listened, eyes growing misty.

Yeah... if she'd just listened to Olivia back then-just once-would things have turned out so differently?

Well, thank god fate gave her a second shot. This time, she wasn't going to waste it.

After waiting for the other end to calm down a bit, she finally spoke. "Liv, remember the distant cousin you once told me about..."

"Which one?" Olivia sounded confused for a second.

"The one who's still single, your family keeps bugging him to get married?"

"Oh! Him!"

Her voice shot up instantly, filled with disbelief and excitement.

"Why are you asking about him? Wait... don't tell me-you finally came around?"

Calliope let out a quiet "Yeah."

"Is he still looking to get married?"

"Heck yes! Always has been!"

Olivia nearly jumped off the couch, her voice climbing with excitement.

"Let me tell you, my cousin is drop-dead gorgeous-he's 6'2", broad shoulders, slim waist, super long legs. Dressed, he looks sharp. Shirt off? Even better."

"Only thing is, he's kinda grumpy, a bit cold... meh, you'll see when you meet him."

"But I guarantee, he's solid! Way better than Lucien, that polished jerk with a trashy core!"

While Olivia kept hyping her cousin, Calliope's lips twitched into a faint smile.

"Liv, think you could set up a meeting?"

"Say no more, I've got you! I'll hit him up right now! But hey, Cal-you sure about this?"

Calliope's tone was calm. "Yeah. I need a marriage."

There was a few seconds of silence on Olivia's end before her voice turned serious. "Cal... is this because Lucien called off the wedding? You're not just doing this to prove something, right?"

"It's not out of spite," Calliope cut her off. "My head's clear, Liv. I'll explain more later. For now, just help me arrange the meeting. The sooner the better."

"Alright. Sit tight. I'll let you know as soon as it's set."

Olivia worked fast. That same night she sent the text:

[Done! I sent your photo to my cousin-he says he's free tomorrow! Bring your ID and meet him at the marriage registration center at 9 AM sharp!]

[He's all about efficiency, lol!]

Calliope raised an eyebrow.

Efficiency, huh?

Perfect.

That was exactly what she needed-no dragging things out.

*****

Next morning, just as the sky started to lighten.

Calliope stood outside the marriage registration center, holding her ID in one hand.

She wore a white dress with a beige knit cardigan over it. Hair casually pulled up, the curve of her neck graceful and bare.

Olivia wasn't joking-her cousin really was the type who valued time.

At exactly 9 o'clock, a tall figure walked up, lit by the morning sun at his back.

He was seriously tall, probably over 6'2".

Just a black T-shirt and cargo pants - nothing flashy, but on him, it looked like a magazine spread.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, and legs for days. The kind of man you feel before you even see.

As he got closer, Calliope finally saw his face clearly.

Her heart skipped.

It was him.