Chapter 168
“Could you keep it down a bit? Aren’t you worried about embarrassing yourself? Calliope, can’t you get a handle on your friends?” Valerian shot an annoyed glance at Calliope. “Look at the kind of people you’re hanging out with.”
“What kind of people?” Archie stood up, his eyes locking onto Valerian’s with a steely gaze and a sarcastic smile, “Mr. Valerian, are you implying I’m one of those kinds of people?”
Uriah and Mavis had wandered over without anyone noticing, and now Uriah’s gaze was intense, carrying a palpable authority.
Valerian knew better than to cross someone like Uriah, so he quickly plastered on a grin. “Oh, no, Mr. Stewart. I didn’t mean you.”
“Really? Because you did mention Callie’s friends, didn’t you? And it just so happens that I’m one of them,” Uriah replied with a casual air.
Valerian’s face twisted uncomfortably.
“And wouldn’t you know it, my apprentice is also one of those friends you’re talking about.” Uriah stepped forward. “So, do you have a problem with us?”
“No!” Valerian’s face flushed with embarrassment and frustration, leaving him flustered and resigned. He threw one last glare at Calliope before stalking off with Ulysses.
Calliope lifted her head and said to Uriah, “Thanks, Uriah.”
“Silas asked me to keep an eye on you,” Uriah nodded. “If there’s any trouble, let me know. I’ll handle it.”
“Alright.” Calliope felt a wave of gratitude. Silas had really thought things through, even getting someone as busy as Uriah to look out for her.
But she wouldn’t let the Jewell family push her around anymore. She used to put up with it all for the sake of a few scraps of familial affection. But having faced death once, she understood it wasn’t worth it.
She cast a detached glance in Lisette’s direction. Once, she had longed for parents who cherished her how they cherished Lisette. Unfortunately, her biological parents were doting on their daughter, but it just wasn’t her.
Now Lisette was the center of attention, with Valerian and the others fawning over her. They were busy introducing her to various people.
Calliope watched quietly for a while.
After what seemed like ages, Zelda began coaxing Lisette to play a piano piece for everyone.
Every year at her birthday party, Zelda would showcase her daughter’s talents.
Of course, every year, Calliope was kept out of sight. In Zelda’s eyes, Calliope lacked presentable talents and had a knack for causing embarrassment. If she weren’t biologically hers, Zelda wouldn’t even bother with a birthday party for her.
As usual, after some polite hesitation, Lisette couldn’t refuse the crowd’s enthusiasm and agreed to perform.
Lisette took the stage and approached the grand piano Zelda had prepped for her. She began her performance, and the audience was enraptured. Her piano skills were indeed impressive, having been groomed from a young age. A lot of money had gone into her training, and it showed.
Zelda stood by with a smile of pure satisfaction. Her Lisette was everything she could be proud of, especially compared to Calliope, who had always struggled.
“She plays beautifully!”
“Ms. Lisette is something. I hear she’s not only great at managing the company but also incredibly talented. It’s true!”
“Her music is so delightful. Lisette truly has a gift!”
“That said, Calliope did make quite an entrance earlier, but she can’t compare to Lisette in this regard. No wonder their parents prefer to keep her out of the spotlight. Word is that she’s not very bright and never cared to learn anything!”