"What?" Monty looked at Mr. Lopez in utter confusion.


    Mr. Lopez didn''t speak immediately but gave Monty a long, scrutinizing look. "How could someone like you have such a talented and beautiful daughter?"


    Monty was shocked, trying to decipher the meaning behind Mr. Lopez''s words. Was he implying Calliope was too brilliant and striking to be his daughter?


    There was no way Calliope wasn''t their biological child. Although they hadn''t raised her, she''d lived with his father, her grandfather. But she was still their own flesh and blood.


    Sure, Calliope had a bit of a falling out and left the Jewell family, but there was no mistaking her lineage. Monty''s father had raised her since birth and would never swap his granddaughter for someone else''s child, right?


    Mr. Lopez''s words left Monty bewildered. But Monty couldn''t afford to dwell on it. His priority was to keep Mr. Lopez on board. Without him, the Jewell Group would be in serious trouble.


    Due to some issues with Upton, theirpany had taken quite a hit. Mr. Lopez was one of their biggest clients. If they lost him, thepany might actually go under.


    Monty nced nervously at Mr. Lopez, wiping the sweat from his forehead and forcing a smile. "It''s a bit hot today, isn''t it?"


    "We''re allfortable, Mr. Jewell. Only you seem to be sweating," Mr. Lopez replied, taking a leisurely sip of his coffee.


    Monty was starting to panic. He looked at Mr. Lopez, desperation written all over his face. "Mr. Lopez, here''s the thing. Callie and I had a misunderstanding. She blocked me. I can''t reach her."


    "Then let it be. I gave you the chance, and you didn''t seize it. You can''t me anyone else for that. Mr. Jewell, you should learn to read between the lines."


    Mr. Lopez nodded to his assistant standing nearby. "Show Mr. Jewell out. It seems he can''t bring Callie here."


    "Mr. Lopez, please give me another chance!" Monty pleaded. "I''ll find a way to get in touch with her and bring her over!"


    Mr. Lopez looked at Monty, his gaze cold and steady. "Are you sure about that? Bring her to me, and then we''ll talk."


    "Mr. Lopez, can I ask you one more thing?" Monty couldn''t shake off his confusion about why Mr. Lopez


    insisted on meeting Cove


    Calliope knew nothing about the business and had no ties to it. Yet Mr. Lopez seemed determined to


    AUMS


    see her. What was their connection?


    First, Upton imed his son was Calliope''s godson. And this? What was going on


    with Mr. Lopez?


    Monty couldn''t make sense of it.


    Everyone knew Calliope wasn''t as et


    swnovelet


    aplished as Lisette. Why couldn''t Mr. Lopez deal with


    Mr. Lopez raised an eyebrow, regarding Monty thoughtfully. "Because she holds significant importance to me."


    "What?"


    "From the beginning, I worked with you because of her. Mr. Jewell, you''ve lost something precious."


    Monty was baffled.