Chapter 438

Monty barked as he leaped up, charging towards the exit.

Valerian thought about how someone had pulled strings to keep him from seeing Lisette. She was now under heavy surveillance, supposedly for national security reasons or some other wild excuse…

The accusations were as big as a barn door. Without Calliope’s help, there was no way they’d get Lisette out. Heck, even catching a glimpse of her would be a Herculean task.

Valerian hustled after Monty, both of them rushing over to where Calliope stood waiting at the elevator.

“We agree to your terms!” Monty blurted out. “Callie, we agree! Just don’t leave us hanging!”

“Calliope, you’re really heartless!” Valerian snapped, his face a thundercloud. “Can you really stand by while Lisette is locked up for life? Do you really need us to beg?”

Valerian’s defiance was still evident. “We’re family, for Pete’s sake, and this is how you treat us?”

Calliope glanced at Valerian. “Sure, I can stand by. Lisette’s lifelong lock-up doesn’t really concern me. We’re not exactly close.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “You don’t have to beg. It’s your call. Go ahead, rescue Lisette yourself! Wasn’t it you who said I’m a wicked woman? And someone wicked naturally wouldn’t rescue someone for no reason.”

Her gaze was steady and unflinching as it focused on Valerian.

Valerian’s fists were clenched, his face a stormy shade of gray.

At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and a group of employees stepped out, their expressions utterly complicated.

They didn’t dare linger, scurrying away but not without stealing a few glances back at the scene. It was clear that Calliope had the Jewell family in the palm of her hand. They needed her, but weren’t thrilled with her demands.

Calliope swept a glance at Monty and the others. “Are you sure you’ve made up your minds? If you need me, I stay. If not, no deal, and don’t come knocking in the future! This is your one and only chance.”

“You really can fix Horatio’s legs, get Lisette out, and save our company, right?” Monty asked as he gazed at Calliope.

“Absolutely.”

“Alright, I agree. The shares you requested, the management control, it’s all yours!” Monty inhaled a deep breath. “As long as you heal Horatio, free Lisette, and manage the company to solve our current mess.”

Calliope nodded. “Okay, let’s get the paperwork for the transfer ready. Also, gather all the board members and top brass. Inform them that I’m in charge now.”

Monty gave Calliope a long, searching look. He had clung to the hope that maybe she wasn’t serious, that maybe she was just testing them.

But it was clear now–she really meant it.

“Alright,” Monty conceded, teeth gritted.

Valerian said nothing, but his eyes bore into Calliope with a hostility that could melt steel.

Over on the side, Horatio sat in his wheelchair, silent but visibly displeased. After a long pause, he finally spoke, “Callie, you know, love isn’t something you can blackmail.”