Blythe shed a confident smile at Calliope. “Of course, I''ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. Don''t worry, there''s no guarantee I''m going to lose."
Calliope arched an eyebrow and leaned back in her chair, her posture rxed but somehow still oozing that effortless, upper-crust elegance.
"Well then, I''d love to see what Ms. White is really made of," she drawled.
Lisette sat nearby, cheeks pale from her own recent loss. She''d been fuming just moments before, but the moment Blythe arrived, her worries melted away.
She''d heard the stories-Blythe had learned from a legendary gambler, someone who could turn the odds in their favor with a flick of the wrist. Sure, Blythe was a gifted surgeon, but she excelled in just about everything she touched, thanks to her exceptional upbringing and family legacy.
To Lisette, Blythe was someone to look up to—a guiding star. The only reason the Jewell family hadn''t copsed years ago was because Blythe had stepped in to help.
Back then, the Jewells were on the brink of bankruptcy. Debt collectors were pounding on their front door, and the bank was ready to foreclose on their house. Then, out of nowhere, Blythe appeared like a guardian angel.
She gave them a chance.
She helped pay off their debts with ease, saving their family business in the process.
To Lisette, Blythe wasn''t just gifted-she was almost divine, someone worthy of admiration, maybe even worship.
And Blythe''s parents, Jett and Mrs. White, weren''t exactly ordinary folks either.
The Jewell family and the Whites? Different worlds. The Jewells were scraping by; the Whites were practically American royalty.
But still, the Whites had chosen to help them.
And Lisette knew why.
Blythe''s biggest rival was Calliope. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, Lisette thought, a sly grin tugging at her lips.
That was how she and Blythe became close-trading secrets about Calliope, sharing everything they knew about her.
Calliope thought that by exposing the Jewell family''s secrets, she''d destroy Lisette, wipe the family off the map. But she was wrong.
The one who''d be ruined was Calliope herself.
Jett—hell, even Ss, who had a reputation for being ruthless, would think twice before crossing him.
And everyone knew how much Jett adored his daughter. If Blythe didn''t like someone, the Whites would stand behind her, no questions asked.
Calliope might be talented, but could she really outmatch Mr. White?
Lisette had never had a powerful father, but Blythe did. That thought made Lisette''s heart race with anticipation.
She was certain that Calliope was in for a rough ride.
If Calliope lost to Blythe, it would be
a spectacr defeat. And even if
she somehow managed to win, Mrs was right there-there was no
White way he''d just stand by and let it happen.
Everyone knew—Mr. White doted on his daughter. Blythe was the queen bee, the heiress with the world at her feet.
Calliope had no idea who she was up against.
Of course, Blythe didn''t really know what Calliope was capable of, either.
The two women sat at opposite ends of the long dining table ey
challenge and defiance. >
ocked, each gaze brimming with t
The crowd around them grew thicker, eager for the showdown.
A few young Americans who''d spent time abroad started whispering to each other.
"Isn''t that Blythe?"
"Yeah, that''s Jett''s daughter-Mr. White himself!"
"I heard she''s good at everything,
and she''s a world-ss surgeon. But the real kicker? She learned to
gamble from a Vegaspiel
she''s
unbeatable at the tables!"
"Right? Mr. White''s a powerhouse, Mrs. White''s no slouch either, so naturally their daughter''s a prodigy."
"This is gonna be wild!"
"Calliope''s got no chance."
"Really? I think Blythe might be the one in trouble."
"What makes you say that, man? You know Calliope?"
"Didn''t you see her earlier? She was incredible!"
"It''s not just that. A few years back, I saw her at the Neon Casino in Vegas. She was unreal-like, scary good!"