"Callie, rx. Lisette''s got nothing on me in a fight!"


    Portia grinned, a little too smug. “Honestly, I pinched her a few times when nobody was looking. She didn''t get the upper hand at all!"


    "She practically handed me the chance to get back at her! I didn''t even have a good excuse to start something until she gave me one."


    Calliope couldn''t help butugh. That was so typical Portia-if she''d actually lost out, she''d never let it go, probably rope her parents and her brother into it and make a whole scene.


    "Seriously though, Portia, when I''m not around, just steer clear of her, okay?" Calliope said, worry in her voice. "I don''t want you getting hurt."


    Portia rolled her eyes. "Hurt? Please. Damien''s still here, isn''t he?"


    She shot Damien a sideways look. "But honestly, Damien, what was that back there? Two people blocked you and you couldn''t even get through?"


    Sure, she hadn''t lost the fight, but she was still annoyed Damien hadn''te to back her up.


    Damien looked awkward, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, Ms. White''s family isn''t exactly ordinary. I didn''t want to cause trouble. Besides, without Mrs. Sinir''s order, I couldn''t just make a move."


    Portia snorted. "Sounds like an excuse to me. Admit it, you couldn''t take them.” Damien protested, "What? No way! Those two? I could''ve handled them, easy!" But Portia just gave him a look. "Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that."


    She turned to Calliope, her eyes lighting up at the stack of poker chips on the table. "Let''s y cards, Callie!"


    "Go ahead," Calliope said indulgently. If Portia wanted to y, she''d let her-just as long as she didn''t lose all her chips before the night was over.


    Portia slid into her seat, ready to y, when Lisette sat down across from her, a sly smile curling on her lips.


    Portia''s face darkened. "What do you want now, Lisette?"


    Lisette''s eyes sparkled. "To y, obviously. This isn''t your private night Portia can y


    v


    tever I want."


    Portia shrugged. "Fine by me. What, you think you can beat me?"


    Lisette matched her re. "That''s exactly what I think. I''m here to wipe the floor with you."


    Portia smirked, rolling up her


    sleeves. "Big talk! Maybe you''ll be


    the


    e going home broke toet


    Don''t get too cocky! Content,


    The tension between them was electric, drawing a small crowd of bored party-


    goers who sensed drama brewing.


    "This is gonna be good!"


    "Two girls going head-to-head over poker? Count me in!"


    "Come on, let''s watch-this''ll be fun!"


    Calliope couldn''t help but rub her temples. Portia never had the best luck with cards, and Lisette was as cunning as a fox.


    Still, Portia was brimming with confidence. "Let''s just get started already!"


    People crowded around the table, even cing side bets on who''d win.


    Calliope quietly leaned down to Portia. "Want me to take your ce?"


    Lisette overheard and smirked from across the table. "What''s this?


    Thinking of switching yers ne?


    Havent even started and you''re already scared, Portia?”


    Portia shot back, "Get over yourself. I''m not afraid of you. Bring it on!"


    Lisette arched an eyebrow. "Let''s y."