Monty and his group picked a table close to Calliope''s group.


    They chatted over burgers and fries, sneaking nces at Calliope every now and then. But she didn''t even bother to look up at them, not once. After a couple failed attempts at eye contact, they just exchanged awkward looks and kept quiet.


    When Calliope and her crew finished eating, they got up to leave.


    Monty''s group scrambled to gather their stuff and trailed right after them.


    As Calliope''s group piled into the elevator, Monty and his friends tried to squeeze


    in too, but Ss and Uriah blocked the way.


    "Sorry, no more room," Uriah said, expression icy.


    Monty nced at the nearly empty elevator and grumbled, "There''s plenty of space..."


    "We just don''t like being crowded," Ss said tly.


    Monty rolled his eyes, but there was nothing they could do except watch the doors slide shut on Calliope and her friends.


    Not to be left behind, Monty''s group hurried into the next elevator and followed them down.


    It was a big day in the city, the kind of ce that really goes all out for the winter holidays, with parades, fireworks, and food stalls at every corner. The auction wasn''t until the evening, so Calliope''s crew decided to spend the afternoon sightseeing, maybe catch the street performers or grab some funnel cake.


    As they stepped out of the hotel, the distant pops of fireworks echoed in the chilly air.


    Monty and his group hustled after them, Monty calling out, "Callie, can''t you please talk to your mom? She really wants to make things right with you. You know she cares!"


    "Not interested," Calliope replied over her shoulder, her face unreadable.


    Zelda, seeing Monty''s words fall t, tried her luck. "Callie, please! I want to apologize! Just give me a chance, okay? Let me say I''m sorry!"


    Calliope stopped and turned, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "You want to apologize? Are you sure about that?"


    "If you''re really sorry, then hold a press conference. I''ll even watch the livestream. Let''s see what you think you did wrong!"


    She sounded so serious, like she''d actually help Zelda call the local news and set up a podium.


    Zelda''s face drained of color. She stared at Calliope like she''d grown a second head.


    What the hell? Was Calliope for real? She never thought she''d actually have to admit fault—much less in front of cameras. Wasn''t apologizing in public like that just asking to be humiliated?


    Zelda''s voice faltered, her expression twisted with disbelief and outrage.


    "What''s wrong?" Calliope asked, arching an eyebrow. "Is it that hard? Or do you just not think you''ve done anything wrong? Maybe you think everything you did was justified, that I deserved it?"


    She looked Zelda up and down. "You just want to say sorry now because you need something from me. Once I''ve helped the Jewell family get what they want, you''ll toss me aside, right? After all, words are cheap. Doesn''t cost you anything to say sorry, does it?"


    Calliope blinked, almost yfully. "You guys are real smooth."


    "Callie, that''s not it!" Ulysses jumped snot in, his voice cracking with emotion. "At least, that''s not how I feel. I know I treated you badly before, and I''m really sorry. I''ll apologize in front of everyone, I swear! I''ll do it right now, in front of all the reporters if you want!"


    Ulysses''s face was red and his eyes shone with sincerity.


    Calliope hadn''t expected that. Of all people, Ulysses used to hate her the most.


    His change of heart was... honestly, kind of shocking.