Horatio shot Valerian a look, frowning. “I don''t think Callie''s that kind of person.”


    Valerian scoffed. "Are you kidding? She''s cut herself off from the Jewell family. She''s capable of anything at this point."


    "If she''s got something nned, there''s nothing we can do to stop her," Horatio admitted, his tone weary. "Honestly, she seems to be getting on pretty well with them... We made a real mess of things with her, Valerian. I just don''t see the point in making it worse."


    He went on, "We''re lucky enough that Blythe and Mr. Myers from the Myers family have agreed to help us. Thepany''s barely gotten back on its feet. Let''s not push our luck."


    "Exactly," he added. "We wouldn''t even be here if it weren''t for Mr. Myers sticking his neck out. All we need to do is y it cool and show our faces at the auction. Don''t rock the boat."


    Across the table, Monty nodded vigorously. "Couldn''t agree more. We''re here to see how the other half lives, not to make waves! If we make some useful connections, that''s great. If not, no harm done."


    "Dad, Horatio, don''t you want thepany to do better?"


    Valerian let out a short, bitterugh."Shouldn''t we be hustling to give it a real shot? You can''t honestly think Mr. Myers is helping us out of the goodness of his heart, can you?"


    "Ms. White has her own demands, too. No one''s doing us any favors for free." Monty''s brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, what did they ask for? I thought it was just because Lisette and Blythe are friends that they agreed to help us."


    Horatio looked at Valerian, concern creasing his features. They both knew thepany had survived the storm, but the details had always been suspiciously vague. Now, hearing Valerian speak, father and son exchanged uncertain nces. "Forget it,” Valerian cut them off, his voice dismissive. He had no intention of spelling things out-especially not to Horatio.


    Oliver''s terms were clear: they had to destroy Calliope''s reputation and break her and Ss apart, or there''d be no help. Blythe and Valerian had agreed to it. If Horatio found out, he''d never go along with something so underhanded And as for their father-hed lose his nerve and back out entirely.


    Monty grumbled, "Typical—always half a story and then nothing. Whatever. The auction''s about to start. Let''s pay attention."


    Horatio nced sideways at Valerian, hesitating. "The conditions they set-they''re not... something we''d regret, are they?"


    "They''re nothing I can''t handle," Valerian said evenly. "Lisette and I will take care of


    it."


    "You''re sure it''s not over the line?" Horatio pressed, his tone sober. "If it''s something that crosses that line, we ought to walk away."


    Valerian met his brother''s gaze,


    keeping his own expression carefully


    nk. Bankruptcy wasn''t something he could face-not again. He


    could handle it


    doubted Horasn''t about to reveal


    either, but he


    what he and Lisette had agreed to do.


    Lisette arrived just as the subject fizzled out. The lights in the ballroom dimmed, save for the


    stage, which shone bright as thet


    auctioneer began describing the first rare item on disy. The foom stiffed in anticipation as the treasure was unveiled, glinting under the spotlight at the center of the stage.