Chapter 81

Calliope, Quentin, and Norton turned around almost simultaneously.

Horatio Jewell and Valerian Jewell walked together, followed by Lisette, their eyes fixed on Calliope and her companions.

Horatio’s gaze lingered on Quentin and Norton. He immediately sensed that the two men flanking Calliope were quite the formidable pair, especially Quentin, who exuded a charming yet roguish aura. He didn’t exactly fit the mold of a conventional hero, nor did he seem like a villain. There was an air of mystery about him.

Quentin’s sharp eyes quickly assessed Horatio and Valerian, finally resting on Lisette. He had a pretty good guess about who they were.

During dinner, Callie had given them a rundown on the Jewell family dynamics, so he was well aware that Callie hadn’t had an easy time since returning to the Jewells. This knowledge simmered within him, stoking a quiet resentment that surfaced as he regarded the newcomers.

“Callie, who are these two men with you?” Horatio asked, his brow furrowed. The sight of her flanked by two men was troubling; this was their sister, after all, and his mind leaped to unsavory conclusions.

A young woman out with two men – what kind of reputation did that suggest? Horatio’s thoughts spiraled.

“Callie, I know Gideon doesn’t love you, but is this really how you degrade yourself? What would Mr. Myers think of this?”

Calliope was taken aback by Horatio’s wild assumptions. It was almost laughable. Lisette could dine out with those two men, but she couldn’t with her brothers?

“Mr. Horatio Jewell, are you kidding me? I’m simply having a meal with my brothers. How is that degrading myself?”

Calliope was exasperated. “So, when Lisette dines with you, is she degrading herself then?”

Horatio frowned, displeased by Calliope’s failure to address him as her brother, but he maintained his composure. “We’re Lisette’s brothers, not some strangers you just met.”

“Strangers?” Calliope retorted, amused. “I’ve known them longer than I’ve known you. How are they strangers?”

Horatio was momentarily at a loss for words.

Having had previous run-ins with Norton, Valerian wisely chose to stay silent. Lisette, however, was more than willing to stir the pot.

“Horatio is right, Callie, when guys say they see girls as their sisters, they’re usually after something else. Don’t let yourself be fooled.”

Calliope was speechless.

Quentin, unable to take any more, stepped forward, his presence commanding as he eyed Lisette. “Who said you could speak?”

Lisette took a step back, swallowing nervously.

Quentin then turned his attention to Horatio, towering over him with an intimidating presence. “Horatio Jewell, is it? I’m Quentin, Callie’s big brother. Before you came along, I was already her big brother.”

Quentin continued, “You may not care for your own sister and instead favor a foster one, but don’t go tarnishing your real sister’s name.

Callie is the best there is. She’s smart, talented, and doesn’t need to mess around with anyone. You should be more concerned about whether your foster sister is the one messing around!”

Calliope looked at Quentin, surprised by his insight.

Chapter 8

Lisette, not one to back down, craned her neck defiantly. “Sir, we’ve never met before. I don’t see why you have to drag my name through the mud like this.”

Chapter 82