Calliope stood there, her expression as nk as a freshly painted wall, staring at Valerian. "I haven''t considered myself part of the Jewell family for a long time."


    "Calliope, have you lost your sense of decency?" Zelda was practically vibrating with anger, itching tosh out but fully aware she couldn''t take Calliope in a fair fight.


    "I''m not asking for much. Just help Horatio with his legs! Are you going to leave him hanging like this? He''s your brother by blood! Your family! Aren''t you even going to try to find the Miracle Doctor to fix his leg?"


    Calliope raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Zelda''s desperation. "Funny, huh? You all said I wasn''t fit to be the Jewell family. And now, suddenly, I''m supposed to care because we''re family?"


    "Sure, I can help. But it''ll cost you. Give me shares in the Jewell Group, and I''ll see what I can do. I not only know the whereabouts of the Miracle Doctor, but we''re on pretty good terms. I can ask her to help out."


    Her words were like a sharp jab, leaving Zelda and Valerian frustrated.


    Valerian looked at her, disbelief etched on his face. "Calliope, are you seriously trying to take advantage of this situation? Trading our brother''s legs forpany shares? That''s low, even for you."


    Seething, Zelda added, "Exactly! Dream on! We''re not handing the shares to you! Just tell us where she is, and I''ll give you 100,000 dors for the address!"


    Calliope shrugged nonchntly. "100,000 dors? That''s pocket change for Lisette in a year. You need to up your offer."


    Zelda was bbergasted. "That''s your brother! He used to treat you well!"


    "That was back in the day."


    "Is your heart made of stone?" Valerian took a deep breath. "We''re asking for a favor. Just ask around a bit. Why are you being so difficult?"


    "Why don''t you ask yourselves?" Calliope crossed her arms, unmoved.


    Valerian gritted his teeth. "We would have done it ourselves if we hadn''t ticked off the Thorne family."


    "Maybe you shouldn''t have let your darling sister mess with them. Who''s to me here?"


    "It''s all your fault!" Zelda''s re was like daggers. "If it weren''t for you, Lisette wouldn''t have gotten into trouble!"


    Calliope rolled her eyes. "Right. me me for everything."


    "Just find out where the Miracle Doctor is okay? Lisette''s arm will only heat right if the Miracle Doctor helps. Zelda''s voice was sharp andmanding, taking Calliope as a mere servant.


    "And you want me to throw Lisette into the deal, too? Then we''re talking at least twenty percent of thepany shares." Calliope calcted with a straight face.


    "Twenty percent, not al


    less."


    "Calliope, are you seriously trying to rob us blind? Are you for real?" Valerian''s brow furrowed in frustration. "I swear, there''s no sister like you in the whole wide world!"


    "Exactly. I''m one of a kind," Calliope dered with a smirk. "I''m exceptional, one of a kind."


    "What''s the matter? You all look like you''ve seen a ghost." She nced at Zelda and the others. "No shares? Fine. I''ve got plenty to do. I guess you don''t care that much about Horatio and Lisette if you won''t even O


    trade twenty percent get


    With that, Calliope turned and walked away.


    Zelda stomped her foot in frustration. "That wretched devil! I knew it, she''s a


    curse. She won''t be happy until she''s ruined the whole family!"


    Valerian''s face was a storm cloud of frustration.


    ...


    Calliope was busy tending to Baber for the next few days, immersing herself in


    her work.