"Do you really think everyone else is clueless? Did you have to ask something that obvious?" Calliope looked up, her fork halfway to her mouth.


    Lisette flushed. She was starting to feel more and more ufortable. It was like every time she opened her mouth, Calliope had aeback ready for her.


    Calliope didn''t say anything else; she just focused on her scrambled eggs and toast.


    Lisette had no choice but to keep eating her own breakfast. She nced over at Valerian. He was quietly poking at his pancakes, not saying a word.


    A wave of irritation washed over Lisette. Ever since Calliope hade back, everything felt different. The way everyone treated her had totally changed.


    She needed to turn things around. Right. She had to get back to thepany. Calliope was back at the office, apparently even managing things now. If Lisette didn''t show up soon, she wouldn''t get any benefits at all.


    Trying to sound casual, she turned to Monty. "Dad, I''m back now, and I don''t really have anything else going on. Can I start working at thepany again?”


    She shot a quick look at Calliope. No way was she buying that Calliope was really in charge of everything. It was probably just for show. Monty was still calling the shots, she was sure of it.


    Monty didn''t answer right away. Instead, he looked over at Calliope. "What do you think, Callie?"


    Horatio and Valerian both instinctively turned to Calliope too, waiting to see what she''d say. After all, Lisette had tried to set her up just yesterday.


    "I said before, her position''s still open. If she wants toe back, that''s fine," Calliope said, ncing at Lisette. "But if you''reing back, you need to actually do your job. No special treatment. Finish your own work, no cking off.”


    She fixed Lisette with a look. "And if you''ve done anything at work you shouldn''t have, you''d better stop. I''m managing things now, so don''t try to pull a fast one on me, Lisette."


    Her tone was deadly serious.


    Lisette froze for a second. Did Calliope know something?


    No way. Everything she''d done had been super discreet. Besides, most people at thepany were on her side... weren''t they?


    She forced a smile and nodded. "Callie, of course! If I''m back at work, I''ll put in the effort, don''t worry. And as for what you said, I haven''t done anything improper at the office I''ve always been dedicated. Dadand everyone knows that."


    Calliope just stared at her for a moment, then said nothing.


    Lisette felt a chill run down her spine. Did Calliope actually know something?


    Damn it. She was starting to feel like she was losing her grip, bit by bit.


    After breakfast, Calliope grabbed her purse and keys, getting ready to head out to thepany.


    Horatio called out, "Callie, can I ride with you? I''ve got a few things I want to ask you about!"


    "I''ll ride with you too," Valerian chimed in. "I don''t feel like driving today."


    Lisette stared at them. She was just about to say she wanted to ride with them, but apparently, everyone was piling into Calliope''s car.


    "Dad, can I go with you?" she asked Monty, trying not to sound desperate. Maybe


    she could win him over first.


    Monty shook his head. "Sorry, honey, my car''s in the shop today. Callie, mind if I hitch a ride too?"


    Then he hurried after the others.


    Lisette was left standing alone, her mouth hanging open.


    Why did she suddenly feel like she was beingpletely left out?