Jett turned out to be surprisingly easygoing. Once everyone realized he wouldn''t get upset if they didn''t pick Blythe, several people ended up choosing Calliope instead.


    The match between Calliope and Blythe was already underway.


    Both women sat at the table, cool as cucumbers.


    The rest of the crowd gathered around, watching intently and whispering to each other, clearly shocked by what they were seeing.


    "Holy smokes, did you see that? Ms. White yed her cards like she could read Blythe''s mind!"


    "Ms. Jewell''s no slouch either I was still trying to figure out the math and she''d already yed her hand!"


    "Honestly, I''m out of my league here. The way they''re ying? I couldn''t keep up if I tried."


    "I can''t even follow their strategies, but it looks like they''re evenly matched!"


    "No way, I think this side''s got the edge."


    “Are you kidding? Ms. White is the one to beat here. She learned from the best—l heard she was a prodigy at poker before she was even out of grade school!"


    "Calliope''s not so simple either. I don''t know if she ever had a legendary mentor, but I do know every casino in Neon City put her on their cklist!"


    "Wait, why?"


    "She won too much. Seriously, every single casino in town banned her."


    "No joke, if she ever shows up, they basically hand her cash and politely ask her to leave. It''s cheaper than letting her y!"


    "Come on, that can''t be true!"


    The chatter buzzed with curiosity and disbelief, but some folks nodded, insisting it was all fact.


    Jett could overhear thements swirling around him. He shot a thoughtful look at Mrs. White, sitting beside him.


    "Hearing them talk like that reminds me a little of your glory days," he said with a half-smile.


    "Does it?" Mrs. White''s gaze never left Calliope. She wasn''t sure why, but she couldn''t help watching her.


    Jett followed her line of sight and grinned. "I think I might be on the losing side this time."


    Mrs. White nodded. "Honestly, Blythe might lose this round. She underestimated her opponent Calliope''s not easy to beat."


    They didn''t bother to lower their


    So Lisette, standing nearby


    caught every word. She looked at. Jett and Mrs. White, stunned.


    "Mr. White, Mrs. White, there''s no way Blythe''s going to lose! She''s incredible—how


    could she possibly lose to Calliope?"


    Jett shook his head. "Blythe''s good, but Calliope''s better."


    Lisette bit her lip, shocked. She''d assumed if Blythe lost, Jett and his wife would be furious but looking at them now, she realized they weren''t angry at all.  fo


    In fact, the way they looked at Calliope... there was a hint of admiration in their eyes.


    How could they admire their


    daughter''s rival, knowing they werepeting head-to-head? Weren''t Mr. and Mrs. White supposed to


    dote on Blythe, treat her like their precious little girl?


    Lisette''s face was etched with confusion. It just didn''t make sense!


    She''d half-hoped that if Blythe lost, Jett would step in and ruin Calliope, destroy her reputation for good.


    Instead, she stood there clenching her fists, ring daggers in Calliope''s direction.


    Meanwhile, at the card table, the game was over.


    Calliope leaned back in her chair with a sly smile. “Looks like you lost."


    Blythe sat frozen, shattered, staring at Calliope in disbelief.