"She''s pregnant with Valerian''s baby, isn''t she?"


    "Ugh, seriously? She kept calling him ''brother'' and then ended up in his bed? That''s just disgusting!"


    Portia couldn''t help but scoff, spitting on the ground in disgust.


    "I''ll have someone look into it," Mavis said. "If this person ends up iming it was some kind of revenge against society, it''ll be tough for the police to get to the bottom of it. We''ll just have to handle it ourselves."


    Calliope nodded, "Thanks, Mavis. I owe you one!"


    "No big deal."


    "Oh, by the way, I can''t join you guys for dinner tonight," Calliope said to Portia and Mavis. "Eamon invited us over for dinner at the old ce, so I have to go."


    "It''s fine! Mavis and I can just eat together," Portia said, looping her arm through Mavis''s.


    "Alright then."


    Calliope gave a small nod.


    That evening, Calliope returned to the Baker family home with Ss in tow.


    When they arrived, they realized Grandpa had called everyone over. Gideon Baker''s family was there, along with the other branches- the old house was bustling and lively.


    It was actually Calliope''s first time back since all the drama with the Jewell family


    blew up.


    As soon as she walked through the door, Verity rushed over, grabbing her hand and fussing over her like a worried hen.


    "Callie, you were just the sweetest little thing growing up! My heart breaks for you."


    "I saw those videos and everything. I can''t believe the Jewells treated you like that all these years!"


    "They were way out of line. If I''d known, I would''ve marched right up there at that press conference and backed you up!"


    "I could''ve told Zelda off for you-really, given her a piece of my mind!"


    "That Zelda''s a real piece of work," Verity huffed.


    "Seriously, the Jewells are just awful!" Calista Baker frowned. "Calliope, are you okay?"


    "How could she be okay?" Dahlia Baker chimed in. "She always thought of them as family, and they treated her like that. That must''ve hurt."


    Calliope forced a little smile. "I''m fine, really. I stopped thinking of them as family a long time ago. You guys are my family now, aren''t you?"


    "Of course we are! We''ll always be your family!"


    "Absolutely, Callie. Don''t you ever forget that!" Verity said warmly, squeezing Calliope''s hand. "And if you ever need to talkor need help with anything, you can always count on us!"  s


    Calliope smiled, nodding.


    "Oh, and Callie—I''ve seen all sorts of things about you online. Are you really that amazing?"


    "How do you know how to do everything?" Verity asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.


    "I just like to dabble," Calliope replied with augh. "I try a lot of things but I''m not really an expert at anything."<fn9303> Find the newest release on find?novel</fn9303>


    "No way!" Verity shook her head. "I''ve seen thements. All those bigwigs are singing your praises! I''m officially a proud member of your fan club now-actually, I applied to be the vice president!"  s


    Calliope raised an eyebrow at Verity, looking a little incredulous.


    "I mean it!" Verity thumped her chest. "The more I see, the more I adore you!"


    "Don''t worry, I''m nothing like those idiots from the Jewell family!"


    Verity paused, then added, "You


    know, the Jewells really have iting. I heard they''re about to


    bankrupt? Apparently, they''re drowning in debt and the whole ce is about to crash and burn."


    s


    go*


    "And with things the way they are, do you think they''lle crawling back, trying


    to im you as their daughter again?"


    Verity wrinkled her nose. "If they do, you just tell me. I might not be good for much, but when ites to telling people off, I''m a pro!"