Chapter 196
As Valerian chatted away, he absentmindedly pulled the helmet from the box. But as he unwrapped the packaging, he was utterly dumbfounded.
The helmet bore a signature–one he immediately recognized. It was sleek and high–quality, from a brand that he knew well, and the signature belonged to a world–famous racing driver whom he had idolized for years. How did Calliope get her hands on his hero’s signed helmet?
Seeing Valerian frozen in shock, Horatio casually opened another box beside him. Inside, he found an incredibly expensive tie from a renowned designer, which he had long admired but could never find.
Meanwhile, unable to hide his disdain, Ulysses opened a small box. When he saw the ring inside, his eyebrows shot up.
Could it be that ring?
It was a creation by the overseas designer R, a piece he had adored but had heard was a one–off, already snapped up by someone else.
Had Calliope bought it?
But that didn’t make sense. Could Calliope even afford such a ring?
Ulysses, Horatio, and Valerian instinctively tore open all the remaining gifts, revealing an array of incredibly valuable items, each one something they had once desperately wanted.
Their parents always favored Lisette, giving her more pocket money. Lisette was clever, earning extra cash on the side and even getting scholarships.
But Calliope? She wasn’t bright, her grades were poor, and she got expelled. She proved equally inept at work, only holding a job at a local diner.
How could someone like her, who had worked as a waitress for a lifetime, afford these luxurious gifts?
Their feelings were a tangled mess. The gifts were things they had once loved, but coming from Calliope, they couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
“Where did she get the money to buy all this?” Ulysses sneered, glancing at his brothers with narrowed eyes. “What’s her game now?” Ulysses continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “She never mentioned these gifts before, and now she’s flaunting them?”
“Does she think she can worm her way back home by reminding us of these gifts?”
Horatio and Valerian frowned in unison. Finally, Horatio pulled out his phone, attempting to call Calliope.
But to his surprise, he found Calliope had blocked him. He tried other ways to reach out, only to discover every avenue was cut off.
“I’ll give it a shot,” Valerian said, pulling out his phone. Minutes later, he and Ulysses wore expressions dark as storm clouds. “She’s blocked us all?”
“Let’s head home,” Horatio suggested, a strange unease gnawing at him.
As he approached the door, his leg unexpectedly buckled beneath him, sending him crashing to his knees. His face turned ghostly pale, and he struggled to rise, but his legs refused to cooperate.
