Chapter 1217
In the Fortune Restaurant.
This time, Callum didn’t opt for a private booth. Instead, he took a seat at one of the diner’s tables in the main eating area, the hum of conversation and clinking of cutlery surrounding them. Once settled, he flagged down a waitress and started to order their meal.
Thalassa eyed him curiously. “Mr. Gordon, is there something urgent you wanted to tell me?” she asked. Throughout their car ride earlier, he’d managed to sidestep any serious
conversation.
A gentle smile played on Callum’s lips. “I’d much prefer if you called me Callum,” he replied with an affable warmth.
Thalassa felt a tinge of embarrassment. She had called him Callum at their first encounter out of surprise, without thinking too much. Now that she was collected, she leaned towards using “Mr. Gordon” as it seemed more polite and more proper.
In an attempt to mask her awkwardness, Thalassa picked up her cup of coffee and took a
sip, feeling the warmth of the diner’s signature blend.
Noticing her discomfort, Callum didn’t press the issue. He cradled his own coffee cup, seemingly absorbed in the simple act of holding it. His casual and natural gestures complemented the easy smile that made him so approachable.
“Actually, the reason I asked to meet today is a personal matter,” he confessed.
Thalassa looked up, her expression open and expectant: Callum had never before spoken to her about his personal life. Their interactions had always revolved around their mutual acquaintance, Leopold Sinclair.
“Debby was foolish for what she did, to say the least. I’d like to apologize on her behalf,” Callum said, his kind eyes meeting hers earnestly.
Taken aback by his words, Thalassa stammered, “Mr.-Callum, why would you apologize for Debby? What’s your role in this?”
She’d started to default to “Mr. Gordon” out of habit, but remembering his earlier request, she quickly corrected herself.
His sudden seriousness indeed caught her off guard. How could Callum be apologizing for Debby?
Sensing her confusion, Callum explained, “Debby’s my cousin.”
It suddenly clicked for Thalassa. She’d never known about the connection between Callum and Debby.
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Chapter 1217
“Debby’s been infatuated with Leopold for years. My own relationship with him started partly because of her,” Callum continued, delving into the tale of how he and Leopold met, grew to know each other, and developed a deep friendship.
“In the early days, Debby was so obsessed with Leopold that when she found out he was going overseas, and given I was abroad too, she asked me to help him out. Eventually, I met Leopold and was impressed by his determination. We were both in the throes of starting our own ventures, shared common goals and respected each other’s ambitions. Over time, we became best friends.”.
Thalassa listened to Callum’s recollections, to the story of Leopold’s entrepreneurial
journey.
Her breathing tightened, her heart aching. Leopold had ventured abroad after they’d broken up. His tenacity, that unyielding drive-was it all fueled by their separation, his sorrow turned into motivation?
“Later, I learned that his motive was actually because of a woman,” Callum shifted gears.
Thalassa’s heart sank, her brows.knitting together.
Callum looked at her intently and continued, “He said he needed to become strong, to be outstanding. Only with sufficient wealth, powerful influence, and a status that
commanded respect, would he have a chance to be with her again.”
Though Callum didn’t specify, Thalassa knew who he was talking about.
Her heart felt as though it was being torn.
She and Leopold had ultimately missed their moment. Some chances, once lost, are lost for a lifetime, with no way to turn back.
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