Chapter 890
“Exactly! After all these years as friends, there shouldn’t be anything left unsaid— good or bad, we voice it all,” someone echoed.
Nadine hesitated. “It’s just… I’m really not sure. I don’t want to stir things up if it’s just a misunderstanding.” She thought for a moment, then added, “But since it’s on my mind, I figured I should let you know, Callie. A little extra caution can’t hurt p>
“What’s going on?” another friend asked, looking up with concern. “Sounds like that some idiot is out to cause trouble for Callie p>
“Yeah.” Nadine nodded. “You all know Robert Goldman from Sea City, right p>
“You mean that loser from the Goldman family?” a guy scoffed. “I’ve heard plenty about him. His dad’s powerful, but how he managed to raise such a reprobate I’ll never get. The guy’s a pig-hideously ugly, sleeps around, and rumor is he’s been involved in more than one woman’s death p>
“That’s what I heard, too. Wasn’t there another scandal a while back? Some woman died, but the whole mess just disappeared. So what about him p>
“He’s here for the auction,” Nadine said. “And I overheard him chatting with someone-pretty sure I caught your name, Callie. Truth be told, it was vague, nothing clear, so maybe I’m just overthinking it. Still… there’s a chance this Robert guy wants to come after you p>
“Dealing with Robert isn’t really the issue,” she continued, nodding toward Calliope. “The real headache with the Goldman family is his grandmother and father. Those two? Not easy to navigate. They have Sea City in a chokehold, so most people go out of their way to avoid crossing them. And Robert… well, he’s just repulsive p>
Calliope arched an eyebrow and grinned as she tossed her cards on the table. “I’m calling it-I win p>
She smiled, unfazed. “What you just said is the same with Blackhawk. Looks like you both heard right-someone’s gunning for me, and it definitely ties back to Robert.” She shrugged lightly. “No need to worry. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” Thoughtful for a beat, she scanned the familiar faces around the table. On this cruise, her allies far outnumbered her rivals. Even the auction’s host was an old friend. She was almost certain now—this had Lisette or Blythe’s fingerprints all over it.
Trying to take her down here was a rookie mistake.
“Still, you should be a bit careful,” a friend insisted.
“Yeah, anything you need, just tell us.” another chimed in.
“Or we can just grab Robert right now,” someone said. “The Goldmans might be tough, but with all of us together, theyre not about to pick fight with us p>
“Exactly, Callie-just give us the nod,” said another.
“Yeah, one word and we’ll go to war for you!” a third promised.
Calliope just laughed and shook her head. “It’s really not that dramatic Trust me you all still owe me
favors, I’ll settle this myself p>
Her friends could only sigh in resignation.
“It’s impossible to pay you back p>
“We can never outmaneuver Callie!” someone laughed.
“Take your time with the favors. I won’t make things awkward for you. Honestly, between friends, who’s keeping score anyway?” Callope said breezily.
“Still, it doesn’t feel right always being in your debt p>
“We owe you so much, we’ve practically run out of excuses to ask you for help p>
Calliope smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.”Then toughen up. That’s what friends are for-lean on each other p>
“In that case,” a friend teased, “I heard you raked in a healthy sum earlier. How about letting us win a bit of it back tonight p>