Calliope Jewell and Blythe White started the next round, their cards flying back and forth across the table.


    During the previous game, both had seemed rtively rxed. This time, however, the dynamic had shifted entirely. While Calliope remained effortlesslyposed, Blythe was visibly struggling, her nerves frayed and a fine sheen of sweat beading on her forehead.


    She looked incredibly tense, weighing each move with extreme caution. But Calliope was a different story altogether, her demeanor casual and unconcerned.


    Her ys were still lightning-fast, even quicker than in the first round. It almost looked as if she were ying randomly, yet every card she threw down seemed to heighten Blythe''s anxiety.


    It was clear that Blythe''sposure had crumbled. She was terrified of losing, terrified of the humiliation.


    With her mindset so unstable, her ys became sloppy. And with every mistake, her mental state deteriorated further.


    Any discerning observer could see that Calliope was in a different league. Her poise was unshakable. Her stunning face was a mask of calm, devoid of any superfluous expression. She was ying as if it were just a game,pletely unconcerned with the oue.


    She barely seemed to think, her speed astonishing everyone watching.


    The faster Calliope yed, the more panicked Blythe became. She tried to match her pace, but the more she rushed, the more she fumbled.


    "Ms. White, take your time," Calliope said, her voice smooth. "Don''t worry, I''m in no hurry."


    "Weren''t you just saying you''d go easy on me? Show me what you''ve really got!" Calliope added, lifting her beautiful eyes with a smile that seemed utterly sincere.


    Blythe''s stomach churned with irritation at her words.


    She looked up. “Calliope, you don''t have to rush me. I won''t lose to you! What, are you trying to psych me out with all this talk, hoping I''ll make a mistake?"


    Calliope simply shrugged. "Don''t get worked up, Ms. White."


    "Who''s worked up?" Blythe snapped, her anger ring. "You''re the one who''s anxious! You keep talking so much—are you afraid you''re going to lose to me?”


    Calliope sighed. "Think whatever you like."


    Nearby, Jett White was already shaking his head in disappointment.


    His wife, watching beside him, did the same "Blythe has already lost her nerve. Herposure is gone. Even with a perfect hand, a mindset like that is a guaranteed toss against a clever opponent."


    Jett nodded. "This youngdy is impressive, truly skilled. She


    reminds me of you in your younger days Blythe is good because she Tra agreat teacher and systematic training, but this girl... she''s O something else."


    "You''re right," Mrs. White agreed. “She looks so young, but to have reached this level of skill, she must have a natural gift."


    Lisette Jewell stood beside them, not daring to speak. But she had overheard every word of Jett and his wife''s conversation, and her mind reeled with disbelief.


    What was happening? Were Jett and his wife actually praising Calliope?


    Who did Calliope think she was? Why weren''t they praising their own daughter, supporting her? Instead, they wereplimenting her rival. Had they gone mad?


    So much for doting on their daughter, she thought bitterly.


    Seizing the opportunity, Lisette discreetly used her phone to record their conversation. She would have to find the right moment to y it for Blythe Then Blythe would finally understand what a formidable enemy Calliope truly was I was the perfect way to use someone else to do her dirty work.


    What Lisette didn''t realize was that Jett had noticed her fiddling with her phone. He


    shot her a quick, cold nce.