"Isn''t that Calliope?" Lisette eximed as she entered the pub with the Jewell brothers. They had barely stepped inside when they noticed themotion unfolding nearby.


    "What''s she gotten herself into this time? She''ll be in trouble!" Ulysses grumbled, pulling his cap lower and adjusting his mask as he nced over at Calliope. "She can''t go anywhere without stirring up trouble. She''s never been one to y by the rules."


    Valerian frowned, casting a skeptical look in Calliope''s direction. He didn''t know the details, but his gut reaction was that Calliope was at the heart of whatever was going down.


    Horatio hesitated, "Is she in trouble? Shouldn''t we-"


    Before he could finish, Lisette interjected, "We should help. She acted out even if she had cut ties with us. We can''t just watch her get into deep waters."


    "Come on, guys. We can''t just leave her hanging."


    It was almost like she was reminding them that Calliope had indeed distanced herself from the Jewell family.


    Valerian scoffed, "Why should we care? She was the one who wanted nothing to do with us, remember?"


    "I''d like to see how she manages without our help," he added with a hint of resentment. "When she sees us, she''ll be begging for our help."


    Ulysses nodded in agreement. "Even if she does, we won''t bail her out. She brought this on herself." Lisette looked conflicted. "Are you sure that''s the right thing to do?"


    "You''re too kind, Lisette," Ulysses said with a shake of his head. "This is her own doing."


    The brothers found a table not far from the action, where they could keep an eye on things without getting directly involved. Themotion had caused the crowd to back off a little, but everyone was still watching.


    Calliope had figured out what was happening. The guy was bullying his wife, refusing to let her work or have any fun. He was taking out his own failures on her, keeping her locked away, and even resorting to violence.


    "Move it, you witch!" the man barked at Calliope. "That''s my wife. I''m taking her home!"


    "Disobedient women need to learn her lesson!" be snarled at Calliope, "Get the hell out of my way, you bitch! And you,e over here! Do you think you can hide away from me forever? You''re my wife. Where do you think you can hide?"


    His eyes shed with a vile grin as he nced at his wife, who was cowering behind Calliope.


    The woman looked around, hoping someone would step in.


    But no one moved. Everyone was just a spectator except for Calliope.


    Not far away, Portia had heard the ruckus and was about to rush over, but Calliope signaled for her to stay put. So, Portia remained among the onlookers, her eyes fixed on Calliope.


    Calliope hadn''t budged from her seat. She met the man''s gaze with a steady look, then nced at the trembling woman beside her.


    "I can call the police," she offered.


    "No, please don''t!" The woman''s face went pale at the suggestion, and she shook her head frantically. "They won''t help. He''ll juste back even angrier!"


    Calliope frowned. "Then how can I help you?"


    The woman was at a loss, frozen in ce and unable to ask for any specific help.


    "You won''t move, huh?" the man sneered and lunged toward Calliope with a menacing intent.