"You can take some time to think it over," Calliope said with a grin. "I have to head out now. Once you''ve made up your minds, just give me a call. Oh, but remember, your phone might not work; better use the butler''s line!"


    With a casual wave, she turned on her heel, hands shoved deep into her pockets, and strolled away.


    Monty was still wavering. The thought of handing over all his power was a tough pill to swallow. Yet, if he didn''t, thepany might go underpletely, and his eldest son might never recover.


    “Dad, don''t hesitate," Horatio urged. "Think of it as an early retirement. Once thepany''s back on its feet, we can figure something out."


    "Besides, hanging onto your position won''t do any good now," he added. "The board members have been grumbling about you anyway."


    "Right now, thepany''s like a hot potato," Valerian chimed in. "If Calliope can turn it around, we''ll reap the benefits. If not, any falloutnds squarely on her shoulders."


    Their words hit Monty like a ssh of cold water, clearing the fog of indecision.


    They were right. At this point, whether thepany copsed or not didn''t make much difference to the Jewell family.


    If Calliope wanted to take on this mess, why not let her? They''d negotiate to give her the position but keep arger slice of the pie.


    Horatio and Lisette would still be in thepany, keeping an eye on things. The old guard at thepany didn''t much care for Calliope anyway. Who knows, she might lose interest and give up.


    "Yes, you''re absolutely right!" Monty sighed with relief. This way, he could avoid any public bacsh.


    The three of them quickly reached a consensus. Just then, the doors to the lounge burst open, and a crowd of people streamed out.


    Reporters, satisfied with their scoop, were already nning their headlines.


    Valerian caught one by the arm, frowning. "Max, what''s going on? Weren''t you supposed to be helping us out?”


    He was irritated, though it hardly mattered now. Still, he''d hired them for support, and this was the result.


    "Ah, Mr. Valerian, you didn''t mention Zachary and his crew would be here!" Max replied, slightly


    ???


    breathless with excitement. "Your


    family drama''s small potatoes


    "But how did you know Zachary was around?" Max inquired, still buzzing with energy.


    "And what about Calliope? We didn''t see her around," he added, almost as an afterthought.


    “She''s gone,” Horatio replied, not


    bothering to hide his annoy he reall So''s this Zachary? Is he f


    that big of a deal?" Content Belongs to


    "Oh, absolutely! He''s the top director in the country!" Max eximed, eyes wide with enthusiasm. "He''s got this incredible talent for turning


    everything he touches into gold. And


    now he''s teamed up with 90 ne


    mysterious scriptwriter Climean, we''re all dying to know who C


    is-nobody even knows if C is a man or a woman!"


    Max could hardly contain his excitement.