"How about a little sibling love, huh? Is it really so outrageous to give up the private room for your brothers?"

Valerian shot Calliope an annoyed look.

"It's absolutely outrageous," Calliope retorted without hesitation. She breezed past him into the room, pulled out a chair, and sat down beside Lisette. Spinning Lisette's chair slightly, she asked with wide-eyed curiosity, "Do you have any shame at all? Seriously, you want to snatch everything—our parents' attention, our brothers', and now even the private room I reserved?"

"I've met shameless people before, but you're in a league of your own! Lisette, sometimes I actually admire you. How did you even manage to get a skin as thick as a brick wall? Is it something you practice?"

Lisette's face flushed, visibly uncomfortable. Calliope's tone was casual, almost teasing, yet the atmosphere grew heavy and tense. Lisette squirmed in her seat under the pressure.

"I didn't steal your reservation!" Lisette blurted, desperation coloring her voice.

"Then why are you refusing to leave my room?" Calliope shot back.

"If you really booked this place, show us the proof. You weren't even here when we arrived, and the room was empty. We just walked in. What's the big deal?"

Lisette sputtered with frustration, looking to Valerian and the others for help.

"Calliope, do you always have to go for the jugular?" Valerian snapped, his patience wearing thin. "It's just a private room, for crying out loud, not the Holy Grail."

"If you don't care so much, why did you steal my reservation?" Calliope countered with a withering look.

Valerian's face darkened. He motioned for Lisette and the others to leave.

Calliope and her group settled in, calmly ordering from the waiter. As Valerian's group trudged to another private room, they heard Calliope and her companions laughing and chatting. The cheerful sounds grated on their nerves. Calliope was supposed to be dining with them, but instead, she'd created a rift, enjoying herself with others. Things had been fine before Lisette arrived, but her presence seemed to reignite Calliope's frosty demeanor, baffling everyone.

That thought left a bitter taste in their mouths. Once settled in their new room, their appetites vanished. Only Lisette halfheartedly examined the menu; the others exchanged glances, their hunger gone. What was so special about Calliope's new companions? Why was she so easygoing with them, yet so distant with her family?

Everyone sat in silent resentment. A few minutes later, Ulysses stood, phone in hand. "I've got to make a call," he muttered, leaving without waiting for a reply.

He found himself outside Calliope's private room. The door was slightly ajar, allowing him a glimpse inside. Calliope was surrounded by Silas and the others. Silas treated her with exceptional kindness, and everyone seemed genuinely fond of her, a feeling she reciprocated. They shared stories and laughter, the air thick with nostalgia and warmth.

Ulysses felt a pang of envy, perhaps even jealousy. He realized he had no similar shared memories with Calliope.