"What did you mean by that?" Valerian snapped with frustration.


    Calliope chuckled softly, "I meant it literally. I''m genuinely impressed. I should learn from Lisette how to say something and have the whole family rally around me."


    She leaned closer, scrutinizing the group before her. "Don''t you think you got a bit carried away earlier?"


    "I never said Lisette had to leave the Jewell family, did I? She brought it up herself," Calliope shrugged. "She decided to leave on her own. I didn''t use that as leverage. Whether she leaves or not, I don''t know the Mr. Lopez you''re talking about, and I won''t help."


    "Oh, by the way, I''m already out of the Jewell family whether she leaves. I have no ties with the Jewell family anymore. Do you want me to show you the signed papers again? You''ve all signed it, remember?"


    Calliope rested her chin in her hand, looking innocently at them. "I got kicked out of the Jewell family. How could I influence whether Lisette stays or goes? Am I that powerful?"


    Monty and his sons were dumbstruck by her words. It dawned on them that Calliope hadn''t threatened anyone. Lisette had jumped to conclusions, and they''d assumed she was getting bullied. But in reality, that wasn''t the case.


    The four of them exchanged uneasy nces before turning to Lisette. Still, their focus quickly shifted back to Mr. Lopez.


    Monty tried to persuade Calliope again, but her resolve was unshakeable. She insisted she didn''t know Dante.


    Despite their skepticism, they had no choice but to ept her word. Besides, Ss was sitting nearby, and his imposing presence kept them from pushing further.


    "Well, it''s time for you gentlemen to leave, if that''s all," Ss said, making it clear they''d overstayed their wee. "You''re interrupting my wife''s downtime." Monty looked conflicted.


    "Forget it, Dad," Ulysses said. "If she doesn''t help, so be it. The Jewell family has other avenues to explore."


    "Mr. Myers, Monty addressed Ss, clinging to a thread of hope. "I am


    -inw, after all. V


    belongs to en. t


    you reconsider helping us?


    "My wife is no longer part of the Jewell family," Ss stated coldly. "So you''re not


    my father-inw anymore."


    "Dad, let''s go," Ulysses urged. "We''ll


    never


    She


    ask her for anything again


    she can coast t


    life like this?" Content


    The group stormed out, seething with anger.


    Calliope called out after them, "Lisette, don''t forget to clean up your mess."


    Lisette froze, her face flushed with embarrassment, although her lips were pale. She couldn''t believe


    Calliope had brought up her ident before Ss again. It was mortifying.


    "Calliope, can''t you have your staff take care of it?" Ulysses snarled, turning back.


    "Why should my staff handle someone else''s mess?" Calliope shrugged, "I care about my housekeeper."


    "But don''t you care about Lisette?"