"Ms. Jewell, that''s really out of line!” Jett snapped, his earlier fondness for Calliope vanishing in an instant. He''de over to greet her, intending to keep things civil- even after the awkwardness at the auction, which, admittedly, had been more


    Blythe''s doing.


    But now, Calliope was using his daughter of trying to steal her man. Of being the other woman.


    A noise of sheer incredulity escaped Jett''s throat.


    "Our Blythe might not measure up to you in every way, but she''s nevercked admirers,” he said sharply. "I''ve never once heard anything about her being a mistress."


    He fixed her with a cold stare. "Ms. Jewell, I''m treating you with respect, but that doesn''t mean you can use my daughter of something so outrageous. And just so we''re clear, I will always take her side."


    The idea that Blythe would go after Calliope''s man was beyond ridiculous. His daughter was exceptional-plenty of young men were eager for her attention, but she always said she wanted to stay close to her family, not get married.


    And now Calliope was publicly ndering her.


    Jett could barely contain his frustration. “I don''t know what kind of grudge you have against my daughter, but truth be told, I don''t see anything all that remarkable about your Ss. Frankly, Blythe wouldn''t even be interested in someone like him."


    With that, he turned on his heel, muttering with annoyance, and stormed off.


    Calliope watched him go, her gaze frosty and indifferent.


    Portia materialized beside her, furrowing her brow. "What was that about? Why did Jett look like he was ready to explode?"


    Calliope simply shrugged, not bothering to exin. "Nothing important.”


    She had nothing else to say about it. In the end, adopted daughters always seemed


    to mean more than the real ones—the ones you''d raised yourself would naturally have a deeper bond. How could she, the biological daughter, everpete?


    That was the answer she''d been


    looking for. It all made sense now,


    why her family had nevere back once they had the adopted


    orginal


    for here daughter the original just


    wasn''t necessary anymore. They wanted to give everything to the one they''d chosen; having a real daughter around would just mean there was someone else to fight for their love.


    Calliope pondered this briefly, then let the thought go. She''d already learned everything she needed to know.


    Portia had the unsettling sense that something was off about Calliope, but she couldn''t quite ce it. People continued to greet Calliope as though nothing had happened, and she chatted with them easily, herposure intact.


    Meanwhile, a few steps away, Jett rejoined Mrs. White, shooting a troubled nce toward Blythe across the room, his brows knit tight.


    Mrs. White studied his expression. “What''s wrong? Weren''t you just going over to apologize? Did she say something to upset you?"


    She''d never seen her husband so rattled-especially not after an interaction with a much younger woman.


    Jett let out a frustrated breath. “Do you know what she said to me?"


    Mrs. White looked bewildered. “What did she say? Did she turn you away after you tried to apologize?" She


    hesitated, then added, "Frankl


    always thought Blythe should''ve apologized herself. She was the one who made the mistake, after all, I wouldn''t me Calliope for being a little put out that you did it instead."


    "That''s not it,” Jett growled. "She used Blythe of being a homewrecker-said she was after her husband!"


    "Our Blythe? That''s absurd!" Mrs. White''s eyes widened. "She''s never gone without anything in her whole life why would she ever need to chase after someone else''s s ran ? She has so many suitors, she could have her pick! She''s just young, she isn''t even thinking about marriage, let alonepeting for someone else''s husband!"


    Jett was still fuming. “Even if Ss is impressive, Blythe''s barely spoken to him. Why would she bother?"


    Mrs. White could only stare at him, shocked by the whole exchange.