Chapter 515 Octavius: Others Are Eager to Play Father to Elspeth
Sarah's heart felt heavy with sorrow.
Two days later, she made the trip to Calliope's place herself—partly to deliver those items into Calliope's hands, and partly to see Elspeth.
Sarah sat in the back seat of the carriage. After half an hour without reaching Calliope's estate, she asked the driver, "Why are we taking a detour?"
The driver glanced in the rearview mirror with a gentle smile. "Road construction ahead, ma'am. We'll have to take quite the long way around! This area sits at the foot of Shadowveil Peaks—even though it's early spring, the scenery's quite lovely. Look out there and you'll see a grove of plum blossoms."
Shadowveil Peaks.
Sarah's breath caught.
The chapel where Nicholas resided was located in Shadowveil Peaks.
She lowered the window. A rush of cold air swept in, but she barely noticed the chill. Her eyes were fixed on the distant hills, where crimson plum blossoms blazed in full bloom. It almost felt as if their fresh fragrance was carried to her on the wind.
Watching them, her eyes grew moist.
The driver, perhaps sensing her emotion, deliberately slowed the pace. The gleaming black automobile wound slowly around Shadowveil Peaks.
Amidst the splendor of blooming mountain flowers, a lean figure in gray robes tended to clusters of wildflowers. Though he had renounced worldly desires, deep down, these crimson plum blossoms painfully reminded him of the blood-red roses from that Christmas Eve.
In this lifetime, only the monastery's eternal lamp and the ancient Buddha could offer him peace.
Sarah's car passed him by.
From that moment on, they were worlds apart—their paths would never cross again.
After another half hour, they finally arrived at Calliope's villa.
As soon as Sarah stepped out, she saw Calliope standing in the entrance hall with hands on her hips, directing servants in decorating the house. The newly acquired platinum gramophone caught Sarah's eye immediately—she could tell it was worth a fortune.
Sarah exclaimed, "My goodness, what a grand gesture! Are you hosting a party?"
Calliope was completely at ease with her.
She pulled Sarah over to admire the new foreign contraption, caressing it lovingly. "I borrowed this from someone—took quite some effort to arrange!"
"I'm hosting a ball in a few days. I've specifically invited Octavius, though I suspect he'll decline. "
Sarah understood her intentions and couldn't help asking, "If he doesn't come, will you still go through with this charade?"
Calliope's face lit up with a smile. "Absolutely!"
She called for the servants to prepare tea and serve it in the small conservatory on the second floor, where she and Sarah could speak privately.
Sarah first went to see Elspeth.
Calliope was truly raising her like her own daughter—the finest food, clothing, and care. Calliope even tended to her personally at night. Little Elspeth looked even more radiant and beautiful than before.
This was no small feat.
Sarah expressed her gratitude quietly, then retrieved a document from her handbag and handed it to Calliope. "This is Nicholas's provision for the child. After he left here that day, he never returned to the Moore Mansion. He'll spend the rest of his life at the chapel."
Calliope was utterly shocked!
This outcome was beyond anything she had imagined.
After a long silence, Calliope accepted the documents. She said softly, "Rest assured, I'll keep these safe for Elspeth until she comes of age."
Sarah trusted her completely.
After sharing half a pot of tea, Sarah had other matters to attend to and left early, leaving Calliope alone with her tea. She murmured to herself, "Now she has wealth and security—all our Elspeth needs is legal recognition."
She was devoting her entire heart to raising Elspeth.
That evening, Calliope handwrote an invitation and had her household servant personally deliver it to Octavius in Harmony City, demonstrating her sincerity.
Calliope was skilled in such matters.
Knowing the journey would be arduous, she gave the messenger $5,000. With only gratitude and no complaints, he flew to Harmony City the next morning, heading straight to the Everhart Residence upon landing.
Octavius was an important figure.
He had spent the entire New Year socializing and conducting official visits. When he returned home that evening, it was already half past nine.
As he stepped out of his car, a household servant approached and said quietly, "Someone came earlier with an invitation—arrived around noon. It seemed urgent, as they waited eight or nine hours."
Octavius walked with dignified steps, turning with a slight smile. "Why would she think of me now? Didn't she get what she..."
He left the sentence unfinished.
He found Calliope irritating and had no desire to see her messenger.
Upstairs in his study, he sipped tea and was about to begin work when he felt restless. He stretched his neck, rotating it slowly, then summoned Percival. "Bring me the invitation. I won't see the messenger."
Percival immediately complied.
About five minutes later, he returned with the invitation and handed it to Octavius.
Octavius dismissed him.
In the quiet of the night, he opened the invitation to find his former wife's heartfelt handwritten words.
[To My Dearest Octavius,
On January 6th, I'd like to host a gathering at my home—partly to celebrate the New Year, and partly so our friends can meet our daughter, the fruit of our love. I know this request may seem presumptuous, especially after the way things ended between us, and you may not wish to return to Evergreen City. But I believe the years we shared mean something, and surely you wouldn't refuse to see your wife and daughter. Even Elspeth misses you terribly—she cries every night, and I swear she's calling for her daddy.
Octavius, Elspeth is God's gift to us.
I long for our family to be reunited.
With all my love,
Calliope]
Octavius read every word several times.
He leaned back in his chair and lit a pristine white cigarette.
Pale blue smoke drifted upward.
Octavius held the invitation, studying it through narrowed eyes. After a moment, he let out a derisive laugh. The words seemed sincere enough, but all he could see was her real agenda—legal recognition for the child!
Calliope didn't want a reunion at all.
In her heart, there was only the matter of the child's legal status.
Octavius refused to give Calliope what she wanted, especially since he was still angry. He picked up his phone and sent a brief Facebook message: [I have official duties that day. I won't be coming.]
After sending the message, he waited about half an hour for Calliope's reply. When none came, he angrily threw his phone on the desk, abandoned his work, and went straight to his room to shower and sleep.
On the other end, Calliope received the Facebook message.
She knew Octavius wanted her to compromise, to say something conciliatory, perhaps even to give up raising Elspeth. But in her heart, Elspeth came first. How could she abandon her beloved daughter for a man who had betrayed her?
A nearby servant also saw Octavius's reply.
She worried aloud, "If Octavius won't come, should we still hold the party?"
"Absolutely."Calliope smiled slightly. "Without Octavius, there will be others! Not only will I hold it, I'll make it grand and lively. I want Octavius to know that I don't need him."
Calliope had worked as a hostess before.
She had her methods.
Though divorced from Octavius, when she spoke of Elspeth's parentage to others, she presented the child as the fruit of her former love with Octavius.
Everyone who knew Octavius understood that Calliope was seeking another man to secure a future for herself and her child.
Once Calliope set the date, she threw herself into preparations.
She dieted for half a month, making her already slender figure even more graceful and alluring. She had her hair permed into long curls that cascaded to her waist, creating an enchanting effect.
At the party, she was the perfect hostess, captivating numerous men.
Suitors were countless!
After the party ended, Calliope selected the two most eligible bachelors from the evening's admirers, planning to date them once or twice to assess the situation.
She believed in having backup plans.
If Octavius remained heartless, she would find Elspeth a capable new father. She wouldn't waste away pining for one man.
But Calliope had miscalculated.
After the party, even half a month later, Octavius never came to visit.
Although he was clearly in Evergreen City on official business, he not only avoided her, but was also rumored to be romantically involved with a female celebrity. The newspapers reported on flowers, candlelit dinners, and even hinted at an impending engagement.
Calliope read all about it in the news.
It would have been a lie to say she felt no disappointment. But having weathered many storms, she refused to be ensnared by such feelings. Upon hearing of Octavius's new romance, she promptly accepted Eldric Moonwane's invitation to a candlelit dinner.
Eldric was overjoyed.
At the previous party, he had been deeply enchanted by Calliope. After several attempts, he had finally won her agreement.
Eldric was a wealthy merchant with extensive connections.
Most importantly, he was reasonably handsome, though his reputation as a widower wasn't ideal.
Even after her divorce, Calliope continued to carry herself with dignity and class. She arrived for the date in her own luxury car, adorned with elegant jewelry, making it clear she was his equal in every way.
Eldric had dated several women before, and he was used to being in control in his relationships.
But Calliope had the upper hand from the very beginning—she turned down his initial invitations and made him wait ten days before agreeing to a single dinner with him. Naturally, Eldric wanted to impress her.
He escorted Calliope into an utterly luxurious Italian restaurant, decorated throughout with black crystal accents.
Eldric flashed a confident, affluent smile. “I tried to book the entire place, but one table had already been reserved by some rather distinguished guests. I didn’t want to make a fuss! Don’t worry, Calliope—having two tables occupied won’t spoil our evening.”
Calliope looked stunning in a white silk blouse, a camellia-sequined skirt, and black stilettos that accentuated her beauty. A delicate fragrance surrounded her.
Eldric savored the moment in silence, a quiet sense of pride welling up inside him.
By the floor-to-ceiling windows, a tall figure held a woman close, both of them gazing at the decorative lights outside.
The man's voice was deep and teasing as he coaxed the woman in his arms, "It's rare that we can meet like this. Don't go home tonight, hmm?"
Calliope froze.
That silhouette, that voice—it was Octavius!
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