Unable to resist, everyone lost themselves in the melody. Sometimes joyful, sometimes mncholic, Calliope poured every ounce of emotion into her performance.


    As the final note hung in the air, the room was silent. No one seemed to have regained senses just yet. But after what felt like an eternity, apuse erupted, especially those who knew piano music well-they could tell just how extraordinary Calliope''s performance was. Even the best pianists in the country might struggle to match her level.


    "Ms. Calliope is truly remarkable!"


    "My goodness, I''ve got goosebumps. Calliope is ten times better than Lisette!"


    "Whoever said she was a talentless hack?"


    "She''s so talented at the piano. She could be a concert pianist!"


    "Oh my God, that was incredible! How did she do it? It was a jaw-dropping surprise!"


    Lisette had been sure Calliope would embarrass herself, expecting the audience to ridicule her. She never


    imagined Calliope could actually y the piano, and with such skill that far surpassed her own!


    Her face flushed a deep crimson.


    Zelda was equally stunned.


    When did Calliope learn to y the piano?


    How was she better than Lisette?


    Ulysses and the others were just as dumbfounded, looking at Calliope with disbelief.


    "Mr. Jewell, is your daughter so talented that you had to hide her away?"


    "Mr. Jewell must have nned for her to amaze everyone!"


    "She''s incredible. We''re all thoroughly impressed."


    Monty was in a daze, too, staring at Calliope with pure astonishment.


    "Ms. Calliope, if you''re this good at piano, are you equally talented in other areas?" "Wow, she''s not just beautiful, but she ys the piano so well!"


    "Unbelievable! I''m impressed!"


    "She''s a genius!"


    "If there were a piano master here, they''d probably take her on as an apprentice!" "No way. I think she''d be the one taking apprentices with skills like those!" Monty was still processing it all. He had never known Calliope could y the piano.


    Pret


    "How did you learn to y the piano?" Zelda asked with disbelief etched on her face, clearly unhappy about Calliope''s unexpected skill.


    "I know more than you think," Calliope replied with a smirk, her eyes glinting with a cold light. "You-"


    "Not happy I stole Lisette''s spotlight?"


    "Of course not, Callie! You''re full of


    surprises," Lisette said, standing. beside Zelda, her pupils with


    suppressed anger. Co


    Then, someone in the audience shouted, "Hey, isn''t Lisette''s dress today the one I heard about?" "What?"


    "I heard K had it specially made for someone. Could it have been Lisette?"


    "Yeah, I remember, it was supposed to be a one-of-a-kind gift for someone who saved K''s life!"


    "I checked WhatsApp. It''s true!"


    "Lisette is K''s savior?"


    "No way, she''s kept that under wraps!"


    "She''s never bragged about it!"


    "Lisette, do you know K?"


    Everyone turned to Lisette with excitement.


    Lisette felt a sudden jolt of panic.


    She knew


    nothing about saving


    someone''s life and nced ate


    Calliope in disbelief.


    That dress hade from Calliope! Could it be that Calliope was the one who saved K?