"You''ve all got it twisted-mixing up right and wrong. How is anyone supposed to judge what''s really happening here?"


    Ulysses let out a small, wryugh. "I have to tell everyone the truth."


    "I know—maybe no one will believe me. But I owe Callie an apology. I have to set things straight for her."


    "And another thing: Callie never knew she wasn''t really a Jewell by blood. She only found out recently!"


    "So this whole usation that she''s been running some kind of scam? It doesn''t even make sense."


    Ulysses turned to face the sea of reporters. "Calliope didn''t know she wasn''t born into the Jewell family. She just learned about it, and the first thing she did was tell me. Even when I didn''t believe her, she insisted I check for myself."


    "She''s not a con artist. She''s never lied to us-not once."


    "And as for the story about her ''stealing from the Jewell family''-let''s clear that up right now."<fn02bd> Original content can be found at fin?novel</fn02bd>


    "When Calliope came to live with us, she never spent a dime of the Jewell family''s money. That''s right. She moved in when she was just a kid, not even ten, and she was never actually supported by the Jewells."


    "None of us ever gave her an allowance!"


    "The crazy thing is, I only just found this out after digging into it myself."


    "We all thought someone else was giving her spending money. Turns out, the whole time she was with us, she never got a single dor."


    "She lived in the utility room. She never took money from the Jewells—but she did all the chores, everything a housekeeper would do."


    "And we never paid her. She worked for free, for years!"


    "And then, a couple years ago, Callie finally woke up and left the Jewell house." "She didn''t take a penny with her."


    "As for the shares in the family business they''re talking about now? That was for Horatio''s treatment."


    "She didn''t ask for it-we begged her to help. It was only fair she got something for saving Horatio''s leg."


    "That''s called a deal, not a scam. And let''s be honest-Horatio''s walking because of her!"


    As Ulysses spoke, the whole room went silent. Everyone was whispering to each other.


    ? no


    Set


    "The Jewells aren''t as wealthy as everyone thinks. If it hadn''t been f Gallie, theirpany would''ve gone underst year!”  s


    "She saved the business, and we stabbed her in the back."


    "Mom, Dad, Valerian, Lisette-you guys have no conscience. But I can''t just stand by."


    "As for Grandpa''s share-"


    Before Ulysses could finish, Monty stormed over and pped him hard across the face.


    Ulysses staggered back, his cheek stinging.


    "Ulysses, pull yourself together!" Monty barked. "What has Calliope given you to make you talk such


    Hansense?


    s


    "Folks, my youngest son''s been spoiled rotten. You can''t trust a word he says!"


    Monty turned to the crowd. "I don''t


    know how Calliope managed to twist his head around, but I can


    promise you, we''re not the ones lying."  s


    "Really?"


    "So you''re saying Ulysses is the liar here?"


    "No way-Uly wouldn''t lie!"


    "No, it''s that Calliope she must''ve gotten inside Ulysses'' head!"


    "Yeah, I mean, Calliope lived with the Jewells for years. There''s no way she never took any money from them."


    "Everyone thought someone else gave her cash. That can''t be right, can it?"


    "Seriously, if she needed something, wouldn''t she have just asked?"