After mingling for a while, Calliope finally noticed Blythe making her way toward her as the conversation circle broke up.


    It was clear Blythe hade with a purpose.


    "Well, Ms. White," Calliope drawled, her voice edged with sarcasm, "nning to stir up trouble again? Does Jett White know how much you enjoy picking fights with me? For someone adopted into the family, aren''t you worried that if you cause too much drama, your ‘dear'' parents might start to regret bringing you home? I''ve seen the way you act around them—tiptoeing, always careful. Tell me, are you afraid they''ll toss you out someday?"


    She arched an eyebrow, her face openly mocking.


    Blythe faltered for just a second, surprised at how urately Calliope read her. Blythe tried to keep herposure. “You''re mistaken, Ms. Jewell," she replied, ice- smooth. "My parents love me. Sure, I''m not their biological child, but they raised me, and our bond is strong. I love them back, wholeheartedly."


    She smiled, her sympathy clearly fake. "Of course, I don''t expect you to understand that kind of rtionship. Not when you made a spectacle out of finding your ''real'' parents, only for both your birth and adoptive families to turn their backs on you. Must be hard, Ms. Jewell."


    With a look of exaggerated pity, Blythe went on, "If I were you, I''d be too embarrassed to show up at an event like this. With no one to care for you-not your mother, not your father. Even Ss didn''t bother toe tonight, did he? Did you really think you could turn my parents against me with a few choice words? It won''t work. They adore me and will always be on my side. Unlike you, I have people who stand by me-no matter what happens. Can you say the same?"


    Calliope matched her gaze, unruffled. "You might have your parents, but I have my grandfather. And my husband, by the way. Don''t bother being jealous—you don''t have a husband, do you? Oh, and I have real friends. Lots of them. No need to be envious there either. In fact, I heard you tried to join their little group. Too bad—none of them will have you."


    Blythe''s cheeks lost a little color at that, but she quickly pulled herself together. She snatched a ss of wine from a passing waiter, a bright, forced smile flickering on her lips. "Whydont we settle this with a drinking contest?" she challenged."


    Calliope''s lips curled into a knowing smile. This was just the opportunity she''d been waiting for.


    "dly," she replied, holding Blythe''s gaze. "Are you really up for this?"


    "Of course." Blythe smirked. "I''m dying to know just how much you can handle. But let''s be honest, if you''re scared, you can still back out."


    "I think you should be the one


    reconsidering," Calliope said, heret


    confidence unmistakable. "I''ll tell


    you


    now, there''s no way you can drink me under the table."


    Blythe bristled at the challenge, narrowing her eyes. "Is that so? Well, I can certainly


    hold my own. We''ll see who cracks first."


    "Let''s not keep everyone waiting, then." Calliope turned to a nearby waiter, her tone bright and casual "Would you mind bringing us a selection of drinks? This youngdy wants to see if she can handle her liquor."


    "Of course." the waiter replied with a nod, hurrying away.


    By now, several nearby guests had overheard the exchange, and a ripple of interest


    passed through the crowd as heads began to turn in their direction.