Yara pped her hands, and a young assistant approached. She whispered a few words to him, and he quickly left.


    A few minutester, the assistant returned with a long, elegant box. Inside was a delicate brooch, intricately carved to resemble a sprig of holly. And it shimmered a vibrant light under the light.


    "This is the brooch Ms. Xander bought for a fortune at that auction, right?"


    "Yeah, I heard it''s quite a piece with a fascinating story. It''s beautiful!"


    "Looks like Calliope came prepared, knowing Yara has this brooch!"


    "But I doubt Calliope can win. Yara''s a poker shark. She''s unbeatable at the table!"


    "Right, in Capitalton, Yara''s the best card yer. Her only match is Ss!"


    "True, apart from Ss, no one else stands a chance against Yara!" "Interesting. Does that mean Calliope''s going to lose?"


    "I wouldn''t be so sure. Calliope did surprise us all just now, didn''t she?"


    "Let''s get started already. I''m eager to see how this turns out!"


    "Exactly. I can''t wait to see whoes out on top!"


    Yara caught snippets of the chatter around her. She nced at Calliope, a faint smile on her lips.


    "Let''s begin. It''s just a heads-up. I''m quite the card yer. I can offer something else if you want to back out now."


    "No need," Calliope replied confidently, looking up. "You''re good, but I never said I wasn''t."


    Yara was speechless.


    "Whoa, that''s some bold talk!"


    "Is Calliope that confident she can win?"


    "This is getting interesting!"


    "I still think Calliope''s got a tough road ahead. Beating Yara is no small feat."


    Uriah decided to sit this one out,


    finding Calliope''s and Ss''s peculiar talent a bit unnerving, so he stepped aside for someone else to join.


    Mr. Hawthorne, however, stayed put. The four settled in and began the game. Calliope didn''t y poker often but handled the cards with practiced ease once she got going.


    A small crowd gathered behind each yer.


    Uriah stood behind Calliope, watching her hand with interest, stroking his chin thoughtfully. After observing for a while, he couldn''t resist texting Ss.


    [Ss, did you teach your wife how to y?]


    Ss: [Nope. I never taught her a thing.]


    Uriah: [No way. Her style is just as ruthless as yours!]


    Ss: [That''s called being clever and skillful, not ruthless.]


    Uriah: [I see. You two are a perfect match in your madness!]


    ...


    As Uriah texted, the game progressed rapidly. The onlookers were quietly impressed. Gradually, it became clear that Calliope was on the verge of a win.


    Of course, no one said a word. After all, they were spectators.


    A few minutester, Calliope smiled slyly. "Sorry. It looks like I''ve won again."


    Yara was bbergasted, disbelief etched on her face as she looked Calliope up and down.


    "Did Ss teach you?"


    Despite ying with Ss for ages, Yara had never mastered his techniques, yet Calliope seemed to have his style down pat.


    "Hmm?" Calliope shook her head. "I''ve never yed with him."