Valerian stared at Calliope, his eyes red-rimmed with frustration. He looked on the verge of losing control. "Calliope, are you really going to do this to us?" he demanded. "We're your real family. How can you treat outsiders better than your own blood? Don't you think that's wrong? Don't you think you've crossed a line?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the room as accusation followed accusation.

But Calliope met his gaze, calm and unflinching. "And what makes you qualified to call yourself my brother? When strangers treat me better than you ever have, perhaps you should consider your own actions." "And Lisette isn't even your real sister, yet you bend over backward for her. Why is that?" Her words were pointed, her glare icy and unwavering. She held Valerian's gaze, refusing to yield. She'd never wronged the Jewell family; her conscience was clear.

Valerian's face contorted with anger. He puffed up, his jaw clenched. "Lisette is different," he retorted. "She may not be my real sister, but she's important to me—to all of us. We grew up together, you know that!"

"Oh, so I didn't grow up with you too?" Calliope shot back. "Why is it always me who has to 'suck it up,' always me who's supposed to give in to her? My brothers never made me prioritize anyone else. To them, I matter most. I'm not stupid. You give nothing but expect everything from me. Why would I owe you anything?" She let out a dry, humorless laugh, the sarcasm thick in her voice.

Franco, who had been observing from the sidelines, finally spoke, nodding. "Valerian, Ulysses, honestly, people have noticed how you treat Calliope. It's not a good look. Ask anyone at the office; even the janitor sees you favoring Lisette. You can't keep playing favorites and not expect repercussions." Valerian fell silent, while Ulysses scowled.

"We only treat Lisette better because she deserves it," Ulysses snapped at Franco. "She's more thoughtful, more mature." He couldn't understand Franco's defense of Calliope. In his mind, Lisette had always been the good one, the obedient one, the one who prioritized others. Calliope, he felt, was always picking fights, always keeping score.

"Lisette's the better person?" Franco laughed. "If my boss weren't extraordinary, do you think she'd be running the show? People don't follow her out of obligation; they follow her because they respect her. Lisette's just a good actress who's fooled you all. Honestly, you guys are clueless." He shook his head. "All the loyalty and help Callie's given you over the years, you treat it like nothing. She's pulled you out of countless messes, and this is how you repay her? If she'd done all that for a dog, at least the dog would wag its tail in thanks. Even a dog shows loyalty and gratitude. But you? All you ever show her is resentment."