"Of course."


    Ss stood at the entrance, his voice cutting through the tension like a cold


    breeze. No one had noticed when he arrived, but now there he was, arms crossed and eyes firmly locked on Calliope.


    "My dear, there''s no need to forgive anyone," he announced, his voice unwavering.


    The room went silent, everyone turning to look at the imposing figure of Ss. His presence was electrifying, his confidence palpable. He nced dismissively at Horatio and hispanions before focusing his attention on Calliope once more. "Sweetheart, how would you like to deal with the Jewell family?" he asked, a sly smile ying on his lips. "If you want them bankrupt, just say the word."


    Calliope was taken aback by Ss''s sudden appearance. He always had thatmanding aura, the kind that made everyone else fade into the background. His smile, though slight, seemed to light up the entire room.


    As whispers filled the air, it was clear that many had doubted the rtionship between Ss and Calliope. But seeing him stand there, speaking such words, left little room for doubt.


    "Ss just called Calliope ''sweetheart''!" someone murmured, sending a ripple of surprise through the crowd.


    Ss approached Calliope with measured steps, his tailored suit fitting him like a glove, emphasizing his regal bearing. He was like a figure sculpted from marble, wless and distinct from everyone else.


    Horatio and his friends seemed to shrink back, visibly unsettled.


    Valerian, unable to hold back, shouted at Calliope, "Just because you faced a little slight, you want to ruin the Jewell family? Maybe we were right about you all along!"


    Calliope merely cast a cool nce in Valerian''s direction.


    "My wife doesn''t need your approval," Ss replied, his tone dismissive. "I love


    her, and that''s enough. Who cares about the Jewell family?"


    Ss took Calliope''s hand, his eyes softening as he looked at her.


    "She doesn''t need the world, because I am her world," he dered. "If the Jewell family won''t protect her, then I will."


    A collective gasp rippled through the room.


    "Oh my god!"


    "That''s so powerful! I love it!"


    "Calliope is really lucky. Ss is a force to be reckoned with!"


    "He''s amazing. I adore him."


    "Calliope and Ss are such a perfect match-both so outstanding!"


    "Valerian''s a joke, ming Calliope. What did she even do wrong?"


    The room was abuzz with chatter, all eyes now critical


    family of the Jewell


    Horatio and his group looked visibly ufortable, especially Lisette Her knees seemed to buckle under the pressure, and she


    appeared on the verge of eve


    breakdown.


    She couldn''t believe Calliope had so much evidence against her, nor that


    Ss would protect Calliope so


    fiercely. What kind of deal did they


    have? Surely, Ss couldn''t have real feelings for Calliope!


    Just then, several police officers entered the room, their presencemanding immediate attention.


    "Who is Lisette?" one of them inquired, looking around.


    A finger pointed in her direction.


    Lisette turned, shock written all over her face as she saw the officers advancing.


    "Lisette, you''re under arrest for ndering national leaders and officials. Pleasee with us."


    "No, it wasn''t me!" Lisette protested, panic setting in as she tried to back away, but two officers swiftly restrained her, twisting her arms behind her back and escorting her


    out


    "Lisette!" Valerian shouted, rushing after her. At the door, he turned back, eyes zing with anger as he red at Calliope.