"Yeah, get that money back!" Monty couldn''t focus on anything except thepany''s dire financial situation.


    Money was all he could think about. Nothing else mattered. What mattered was that they desperately needed the cash Kermit had left behind.<fn7332> Newest update provided by fin?novel</fn7332>


    And then there were all those assets under Calliope''s name. They hadn''t even uncovered the full extent yet, but what they had found already blew their minds. If they managed to track it all down, it''d probably be even more staggering.


    If they got their hands on it, they''d be among the top one percent of Capitalton''s elite. They''d shoot straight to the A-list.


    Monty had always dreamed of this moment, and now that it was finally within reach, he wasn''t about to let it slip away.


    All those people who used tough at him? He''d get thestugh now.


    And those damned board members at thepany? He''d make sure they were eating humble pie for the rest of their lives.


    Valerian felt more determined than ever after hearing his parents talk.


    Lisette clung to Valerian''s arm. "Valerian, I''m with you. All we''re doing is taking back what rightfully belongs to the Jewell family. It''s not like we''re forcing Calliope into anything! We''re just doing what''s right."


    "Of course," Valerian said coldly. "If she knew she was in the wrong, she would''ve already given everything back to us. The fact that she''s holding on just proves she''s no good."


    The press conference went ahead as scheduled.


    Valerian, Monty, Zelda, and Lisette all showed up.


    Calliope arrived wearing a mask, blending into the crowd with Portia at her side. No one paid them any attention.


    "Unbelievable. They actually went through with this press conference? The nerve!" Portia muttered, fuming. "Can''t wait to see them get what''sing!"


    Calliope stayed silent. She''d thought Horatio and Ulysses would show up, but apparently not.


    As soon as Monty and the others took the stage, the reporters erupted into a frenzy.


    "Are you here to address the rumors circting online? We''ve all seen the stories. Are any of them true?"


    “So, is it true that Miss Calliope isn''t actually part of the Jewell family? Did she pretend to be your daughter?"


    "Did she really scam the Jewell family out of a fortune?"


    "Was she involved in Kermit''s death?"


    "Do you have any evidence to prove any of this?"


    Questions flew from every direction.


    Portia clenched her fists, itching to deck everyst one of them. "Journalists, huh? Not a shred of fact checking between them. Just parroting whatever garbage they hear. What a bunch of idiots!”


    On stage, Valerian held up a hand. "Everyone, please calm down. Let me exin how this all happened. We called this press conference because we need your help, and the help of the public. We want to reim everything that''s rightfully the Jewell family''s. But Calliope refuses to return it, so we''re asking you all to judge for yourselves!"


    "She should absolutely return what belongs to the Jewell family!"


    "This Calliope is unbelievable. Her cover''s blown and she still won''t give it up. The Jewell family should sue her!"


    "Is she only acting so bold because the Baker family''s backing her?"


    "No way, the Bakers don''t care about


    a few million dors. Maybe things


    are rocky between her and Ss now so she''s refusing to give money back. It''s for like Ss would hand it over to her!"


    to


    "If the truth''s out and she''s just a fraud, you can bet Ss will want nothing to do with her!"