Lisette wore a mask of concern, but inside, she was practically giddy with anticipation. She was itching to see Calliope make a fool of herself. If things went as nned, the Jewell family would despise Calliope even more, pushing her further down the socialdder within the family.


    "No groom? What are you talking about? Isn''t my groom right here?"


    "Please wee the bride and groom!" the emcee announced, right on cue.


    And then Ss and Calliope made their entrance, walking slowly and gracefully into the banquet hall.


    A ripple of shock surged through the banquet hall.


    "Wait- wasn''t the groom supposed to be Gideon?"


    "Hold on, isn''t that Ss?"


    "Oh my God, Ss is the groom?"


    "Where the heck is Gideon?"


    Guests craned their necks, searching for the missing man. But under the spotlight, all eyesnded on Calliope and Ss. Hand in hand, they looked every bit the golden couple.


    Calliope smiled warmly at the guests. "Thank you all foring to celebrate my wedding with Ss today. I heard some of you mentioning Gideon''s name. Just a friendly reminder today''s groom is Ss. Keep talking about that unlucky fellow Gideon, and my husband might just get a little upset!"


    Everyone knew better than to cross Ss. His reputation for being decisive and ruthless preceded him, and people respected him out of fear. Though puzzled by the switch in grooms, Calliope''s gentle reminder effectively silenced any further gossip.


    The background on stage began to change, revealing Calliope and Ss''s wedding photos on the big


    screen.


    A murmur spread through the crowd, hushed whispers filled with curiosity and disbelief. Some guests stole wary nces at Eamon, gauging his reaction.


    Lisette and her family sat at their table, their astonishment no less than anyone else''s.


    "Dad, Mom...what''s going on here? Wasn''t Calliope supposed to marry Gideon? Why are there wedding photos of her with Mr. Myers?"


    Lisette''s brow furrowed.


    Ss Myers- the most untouchable, eligible bachelor in Capitalton, the man she had always dreamed of marrying.


    Yet here he was, standing at the altar, beside Calliope.


    What on earth was happening?


    Monty and Zelda were just as stunned,pletely unaware of the situation beforehand. Their three sons exchanged confused nces, equally at a loss.


    But despite the chaos swirling in their minds, the ceremony continued without a hitch. Everything had been arranged. The emcee followed Calliope''s n wlessly, and soon, the wedding wrapped up without a single misstep.


    As the guests began to disperse, Monty and Zelda marched toward Calliope, their expression thunderous.


    Zelda''s voice cracked like a whip. "Calliope, are you out of your mind? Wasn''t Gideon supposed to be your groom?"


    "Calliope, what happened? Where is Gideon?" her three brothers echoed, frowning.


    Lisette''s mind raced before a sudden realization hit her. "I bet Gideon couldn''t make it, so Mr. Myers stepped in to save the day and prevent a disaster."


    That had to be it. Why else would Ss Myers, a man far above Calliope in every way, stoop to marry her?


    After all, Calliope was practically engaged to his nephew. Marrying his nephew''s fiancée would be scandalous! Even Eamon hadn''t objected, so it must have been damage control.


    Lisette smiled to herself, convinced she had figured it out. She turned to Ss, waiting for him to confirm her theory.


    "Do you have a problem with me being Callie''s husband?" Ss asked smoothly. "But we''ve already tied the knot."


    He lifted Calliope''s hand, showing off their wedding rings.


    Lisette recognized them instantly—they weren''t the rings Calliope and Gideon had chosen.