What could possibly be going on between Calliope and Nigel?


    Damien was standing right there, and everyone knew he was Ss''s right-hand


    man.


    If Mr. Myers didn''t think the world of Calliope, there''s no way he''d have assigned Damien to keep an eye on her.


    And if Damien himself was defending Calliope, there couldn''t possibly be any fire behind this smoke.


    Clearly, Lisette was just making things up.


    "That Miss Lisette must be spreading rumors because she can''t measure up to Calliope in the slightest," Damien said, a chuckle threading through his words. "No wonder she''ll alwayse up short. ndering others is the only talent she has, it seems."


    The crowd around them nodded, their suspicion rapidly turning to mockery. People began eyeing Lisette with open scorn, as if they couldn''t believe how ridiculous she was being.


    "What a nasty piece of work-smearing someone out of spite."


    "Gossip like that could ruin a marriage!"


    "Absolutely. Sure, Mr. Myers and Nigel are rivals, but neither of them would ever stoop so low."


    "Exactly."


    Lisette, meanwhile, was suffocating-literally and figuratively. It was only then that Valerian finally rushed forward, frantic. "Mr. Howell, let her go! She can''t breathe!"


    Nigel''s lips curled into a cold, dangerous grin. He fixed Valerian with a steely re. "Watch her, you fool. If she everes after me again, I''ll take your precious Jewell family down with her. All the way to hell."


    With that, he shoved Lisette back to Valerian with little ceremony, then epted a moist towelette from Lnd and scrubbed his hands vigorously, as if ridding himself of something filthy.


    Lisette copsed into Valerian''s arms, sliding all the way to the floor. She was trembling uncontrobly, gasping, her eyes bright with tears of desperation. A dark stain spread quickly beneath her on the polished floor.


    A collective gasp rippled through the room.


    "Oh my god-she pissed herself!"


    "That''s revolting! Scared the pee out of her, huh?"


    "A cruel woman like that, it''s what she deserves. Imagine provoking Mr. Howell and trying to wreck someone''s marriage..."


    "Absolutely disgusting!"


    “What''s a family like the Jewells even doing on this cruise? Who let them in for the auction, anyway?"


    "Shouldn''t there be background checks? I thought only people with real standing could board!"


    People pulled back in a wide arc, muttering behind their hands and shooting Lisette looks of undisguised contempt.


    Lisette''s mind was spinning, her thoughts a nk haze. For a second, she thought she really might die. But as she caught the threads everyone''s whispered insults, Mer cheeks flushed a deep, burning red.


    Monty, mortified beyond belief, buried his face in his hands and quickly tugged Horatio away. Valerian had no chance to escape he had to half-carry Lisette out of the ballroom. As the murmurs about their family status grew louder, a sick dread clenched at his stomach. He looked to Blythe for help, but she was gone-offering not so much as a nce in their direction.


    Biting down a groan, he guided Lisette hurriedly toward the exit.


    Calliope watched the spectacle with an inner sigh. So much for her original n, thanks to Nigel''s little intervention, everything was off-script now. Was she even supposed to do anything further? If thing''s weren''t truly finished she had no doubt Lisette woulde back swinging once she got over this public humiliation.


    "Are you alright? Did that scare you?" Nigel turned to her, his gaze flickering with the


    unease and apology of a man unsure if he''d crossed a line.


    Calliope gave him a cool, nk stare. Violence clearly didn''t faze her. Only one thing was bothering her.


    "Why''d you have to interrupt my drink?"