Chapter 68
The housekeeper, Gritta, was startled when Callisto’s voice sliced through the air, louder and more furious than the’d ever heard. Her heart jumped into her throat as the booming command reverberated off the walls of the vast Avellino mansion. She quickly lowered her head, eyes fixed on the marble floor beneath her feet, the cold stone somehow making the sting of humiliation sharper.
Tm so sorry. Mr. Callistol I thought “Gritta’s voice trembled as her mind raced to come up with a mirable explanation. She hit her lower lip hard enough to taste the metallic tang of blood, hoping the pain would keep her from blurring out anything that would dig her deeper into trouble
Callisto stood tall before her, an imposing figure whose presence demanded absolute control and authority. His dark eyes, usually so piercing and calculated, were now blazing with fary. Gritts had never been this close to him while he was in such a volatile state
A shiver ran down her spine, but she dared not move. She had been with the Avelling family for years, and in that time, she had seen and heard more than she should have. The gossip about the family–particularly Callisto and the Moore family–was often unavoidable. Whispers between staff echoed in the halls when they thought no one was listening. Servants speculated about the power plays, the scandals, and the turmoil. Despite the extreme measures the Avellino and Moore families took to silence any rumors, even threatening firings or imprisonment, the truth always
found its way mul.
She had beard enough to know that Callisto’s current rage was tied to inuchi more than just a simple mistake on her part. He had been in an accident some time ago–an incident so grave it had required him to leave the country to recover. But upon his return, things were not the same. His once enviable relationship with his hancée, Amber, had crumbled, leaving nothing but bitterness in its wake. Amber’s jealousy had poisoned what little harmony they had left, and their daughter, Anjie, had taken on a rebellious streak Gritta had heard the rumors that Callisto and Amber fought constantly, and most of their arguments centered around none other than Callisto’s ex–wife, Lorraine
Lorraine–the very name sent a wave of confusion and curiosity through Gritta. It had been years since Lorraine had left the picture, yet somehow. she remained at the heart of the Avellino household’s discord. Gritta had always been baffled by it, especially since she knew Lorraine personally. having worked for her during the woman’s time at the mansion. Lorraine had always been kind and gentle to the staff, a stark contrast to the arrogance that often radiated from the Avellino and Moore families.
Lorraine wasn’t like them. She never treated anyone like they were beneath her, not even the lowest–ranking servant. She had a natural grace and humility, always offering a warm smile that seemed genuine–so rare in a world of cold, calculated wealth and power. Gritta often wondered how someone like Lorraine could have ended up embroiled in the toxic web of the Avellinos and the Moores. She wasn’t like Amber, who flaunted her status and let her insecurities lash out at everyone around her. Lorraine had a quiet strength, an inner calm that drew people in rather than pushed:
them away
And then, one day, Lorraine was gone. Just like that. Gritta had been as shocked as anyone when she heard about the divorce. No one had seen it coming, not even those who had worked closest to the couple. Their relationship had seemed perfect on the surface–a fairytale romance of wealth and beauty. But, as Gritta had learned, not all love stories were meant to last
Still, Gritta knew better than to get involved in the drama. As much as her curiosity sometimes gnawed at her, she valued her job far too much to risk it by becoming entangled in such affairs. She had resigned herself to the fact that, no matter how perfect a relationship might appear on the outside, even the strongest couples could fall apart. There was no telling what happened behind closed doors.
Yet, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed in Callisto when she found out that he had replaced Lorraine with Amber. To Critta, it felt like a betrayal–not just to Lorraine, but to the version of Callisto she had once respected. She had believed he was different from his father, that he wouldn’t succumb to the same destructive patterns. But perhaps family traits were stronger than anyone could fight. After all, Callisto himself was the product of an affair.
Gritta shook her head sadly at the thought. Genes–they really did have a way of shaping fate. She had always hoped Callisto would be the exception, but now, it seemed even he couldn’t escape the legacy of his family’s infidelity and dysfunction.
“From now on, don’t mention that woman’s name or her daughter’s name in front of me,” Callisto’s voice snapped her back to the present the harsh. command laced with a cold threat. His eyes burned with an intensity that made her knees feel weak. She had seen many powerful men in her years. working for the Avellinos, but none of them scared her as much as Callisto did in this momncól
Gritta’s heart pounded in her chest, but she knew she had no choice but to speak. Her job, maybe even her safety, depended on it. “But sar,” she said, her voice barely a whisper, “you need to know that the woman and her daughter are on their way to the mansion now for the family dinner”
The words seemed to hang in the air, heavy and suffocating. Gritta could feel the tension between them tightening like a vice. She watched as Callisto’s face contorted in shock, his disbelief quickly turning to rage
“What! Family dinner!!” His voice thundered once more, the fury in his tone unmistakable. Gritta flinched, instinctively taking a small step back as if the distance might shield her from his wrath. The look in his eyes was wild–untamed. He clenched his fists at his sides, his knuckles tuming white as he tried to contain the storm brewing inside him.
His mind raced. This couldn’t be happening. He had made it clear to his father that under no circumstances was this news to spread. He had returned only for business, not for any personal reunions, especially not with Amber or Lorraine. And now this–this so–called family dinner- threatened to unravel everything he had fought so hard to keep under control.
“Damn it!” he growled, his frustration spilling over. “Is that old man here already? Has he come home!!” His voice was filled with the venom of
Chapter 68
betrayal. His father had left work early without even bothering to greet him upon his return, and now this surprise family gathering um being thrust upon him, adding to the weight of his already chaotic life.
“M–Mr. Avellino?” Gritta stammered, nodding quickly. “Yes, he’s been her for a while new. He’s with his personal maid at the moment. paused, sensing that Callisto had misunderstood something crorial. She had to fix this before things spiraled father “Arnally, sir, it wasn’t Mr Avellino who arranged the family dinner tonight. It was Madam Carolior”
Callisto’s expression darkened further, his frustration morphing into something colder, more dangerous. Caroline his father’s notes wil always had her own agenda. He should have known she would pull something like this
After divorce he wants[/caption]
