"Why don't we just take the photos ourselves? | mean, she's not even your biological daughter. Or is it that you
all don't want to take a picture with me? You only want photos with Lisette?"
"If that's the case, forget it. It's not like I've been in any of these pictures for the past twenty years anyway."
She gazed down at her plate, picking idly at the mashed potatoes, as if she couldn't be bothered to continue the
conversation.
Her demeanor made the others at the table tense up. Maybe she had a point. They'd taken family photos with
Lisette before when Calliope wasn't around. So, why not take them now without Lisette? After all, Lisette was
adopted. She'd been in plenty of pictures already.
"Alright, alright, let's do it!" Monty chimed in, trying to smooth things over. "When do you want to take them?
You decide!"
Zelda shot a chilly glance at Calliope, clearly wanting to say something, but Monty nudged her to keep quiet.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Let's do it after dinner. I'll call a friend over to take them for us," Calliope suggested, looking directly at Monty
and the others.
"Uh."
"What? Can't do it?" Calliope raised an eyebrow. "Fine, then. It's not like we have to. We aren't exactly on
speaking terms anyway!"
"No, no, it's fine. We'll do it whenever you say," Monty quickly agreed, trying not to rile her up. After all, with her
connections and influence, it was best not to make her an enemy. It's just a family photo, nothing to get worked
up about. It's not like it'd cost anyone an arm or a leg.
Horaand the others nodded in agreement.
So, after dinner, Calliope's friend arrived, camera in hand. They gathered on the lawn outside the
family estate, ready for the photonet
shoot Calliope sat regally in the
center, like a queen on her throne, while the others stood behind her, creating a picture-perfect family portrait.
"We'll have the photos ready for you in about a week," her friend said as they wrapped up.
"Great," Calliope replied, seeing her friend out the door. She then took a leisurely stroll around the Jewell family
villa, eventually making her way to Monty's study. Despite Monty's initial reluctance, he let her in.
"| remember there's a secret room behind this bookshelf, right? Mind if | take a
peek?" Calliope asked, eyeing the towering shelves.
Monty felt a chill of foreboding, but he couldn't refuse her request. Reluctantly, he opened the hidden room.
Though not wealthy, Monty had amassed quite a collection of artifacts, svaluable, others not so much.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmsw
Calliope scanned the room, quickly assessing its treasures.
"This golden goblet is quite the eye-catcher. Shyou won't gift it to me," she remarked playfully. "And this
bronze statue would look splendid in my living room!"
"Such beautiful pieces. Are these all meant for Lisette?" she asked, feigning a pout that could melt even the
hardest heart.
Monty was speechless, his mind racing. Could he really say no after that?
"Never mind. Even if | adore them, you wouldn't lettake my pick," Calliope sighed tically. "I'm
suddenly losing the will to keep steering the company forward. Maybe | should just hand it back to you guys?"
"No, please, don't say that! You silly girl, talking nonsense! Everything of your old man's is yours. Take whatever
you like," Monty declared with feigned bravado, though his heart was breaking inside.