Ulysses stalked back to his room, his expression as cold as a November wind. Meanwhile, Zelda and Lisette headed into Zelda''s room across the hall.


    "What''s gotten into him?" Zelda muttered. She''d always assumed Ulysses was only being nice to Calliope for the sake of the family business.


    But now, something felt off.


    Because even when he didn''t have to y nice in front of Calliope, her son was still distant with her. It seemed like his mind was elsewhere, probably still on Calliope.


    What on earth was going on with him?


    "Did Callie say something to him?" Zelda wondered aloud. "Or maybe she''s trying to turn him against us?"


    Lisette looked just as confused. She squeezed Zelda''s hand and said, "No matter what, Mom, don''t worry. I''m always on the Jewell family''s side. There''s no way Callie could win me over."


    "That''s my Lisette," Zelda beamed, her eyes shining with pride. "You''re my little princess, after all. So smart, so beautiful... At your age, you really should be thinking about settling down. You''re so wonderful, I''m sure I can find you an even better match than Ss. He''s not the only catch out there."


    Zelda''s voice took on a stubborn edge. She was determined: Lisette deserved the best. No way was she going to let her own daughter be outshined by Calliope.


    If the daughter she''d raised herself ended up second to some outsider she''d never liked, Zelda would never live it down.


    Lisette immediately felt a warning bell go off in her head. Sure, she wanted a great husband, but she did NOT want Zelda picking him out.


    She forced a smile. "Mom, thank you, but honestly, I just want to spend more time


    with you! I''m in no rush to get married. I''d rather be here with you."


    "My sweet, devoted Lisette," Zelda said, glowing with satisfaction.


    "That''s because you raised me so well," Lisette replied,ying thepliments on thick. She showered Zelda with praise, and Zelda practically melted with self-satisfaction.


    Every time Zelda thought about Calliope''s attitude toward her, she got even more irritated. Who did Calliope think she was, acting that way No, Lisette was a true daughter, the one she''d raised. Their bond was deeper, no question.


    Cóntent


    While Zelda and Lisette were having their little mother-daughter love-fest, Ulysses


    sat alone in his room, restless and uneasy.


    After a quick phone call, he left the room. He met a friend at the hotel entrance, handed off a sample, then headed back in.


    Still unsettled, Ulysses found himself He


    TOOO''s door. He needed to t


    it was Callie who''d her love


    Horatio recover.


    When Horatio opened the door, he looked surprised to see Ulysses waiting outside.


    "Uly, is everything okay?" Horatio asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "I need to talk," Ulysses replied, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him.


    Horatio gave him a once-over. "You look like something''s weighing on you."


    Ulysses sighed, taking a seat. "Yeah, I guess there is."


    He looked up, serious. "Horatio, I need to ask you something."


    "About what?" Horatio asked, a little thrown off by Ulysses''s intensity.


    "About Callie," Ulysses said quietly.


    Horatio blinked in surprise. "Callie? Okay... what''s on your mind?”