Chapter 83

“Lisette, my legs… they’re going to be okay, right?”

In the restaurant, Horatio couldn’t quite shake off his unease. He’d spent too many years confined to a wheelchair, years he’d rather not recall – he’d been overlooked, pushed aside, and sometimes outright bullied.

It was Lisette who had turned his life around, who had given him the strength to stand on his own two feet again.

Despite the odd sensations in his legs, he refused to believe Calliope’s warnings. It was Lisette who healed him, and he trusted her implicitly.

Lisette furrowed her brows, pondering over Calliope’s words.

Calliope wasn’t one to make baseless claims, which meant there could be some truth to her concerns about Horatio’s legs.

But how could she herself really know what was going on with Horatio’s legs? The truth was, Lisette wasn’t a doctor, nor could she treat any patient. She hadn’t actually healed Horatio; she’d just taken credit for it.

“His legs can’t be in trouble, right?” Valerian glanced at Lisette. “Calliope must be talking nonsense.”

“Yeah. Don’t worry, Horatio. Your legs are fine. And even if something did happen, you’ve got me here. No need to fret!” Lisette reassured Horatio.

For now, Horatio could walk. If things changed, she’d cross that bridge when she came to it. She knew Horatio and the others trusted her without question.

If his legs ever did give out, she’d simply claim she couldn’t fix it and find a real doctor to help.

Her mind was spinning with plans as she considered Calliope’s companions, Quentin and Norton. It irked her that even though she’d managed to win Horatio and the others over, Calliope still had people by her side – people who were not only more handsome but seemed more capable too.

She cast a quick glance at Horatio and Valerian and felt a twinge of dissatisfaction. But if she could win Horatio and Valerian over, why couldn’t she do the same with Quentin and the rest?

Lisette’s lips curled into a subtle smirk. Her own family didn’t care for her, so why would these newfound allies be any different? So it wouldn’t take much to sow discord among them.

It irked her to see Calliope living a better life, and she wouldn’t rest until she saw her rival’s downfall. And as for that infuriating Silas, who seemed blind to her charms, she was determined to win him back.

Horatio nodded, comforted by Lisette’s reassurances. Calliope was often off the mark; he’d rather place his faith in Lisette. If she said everything was fine, then it must be.

Calliope was escorted back to the Myers Manor by Quentin.

Under the night sky, Quentin stood at the manor’s entrance, observing Calliope under the dim light of a streetlamp. In the soft light, it seemed as if Calliope’s head was emitting a gentle glow.

He reached out and tenderly ruffled Calliope’s hair while murmuring a few parting reminders, which Calliope accepted with a nod.

When he finished, she turned and headed into the manor.

Quentin watched her jog inside, his lips curling into a small smile. She was still the same as ever.

Only when Calliope disappeared from view did Quentin finally turn to leave.

As soon as Calliope arrived home, she spotted Silas sitting in the living room. His presence was overwhelming and intimidating. The moment he glanced up at her, her heart involuntarily skipped a beat.

“Why are you back so late?” Silas asked.

“I had dinner out and had a few things to wrap up,” Calliope explained. She had informed Silas of her plans, yet he seemed to need reassurance.

“Who brought you back?” Silas’s brows knitted slightly, clearly aware that Quentin had been the one to escort her home.

Chapter 84