Chapter 283

In the lounge by the floor-to-ceiling windows, several elegantly dressed socialites sat chatting, each with flawless makeup and designer outfits. Calliope recognized all of them. She'd seen these same faces countless times at the tea parties and banquets her mother used to drag her to. Right in the center of the group, surrounded like some sort of queen bee, was none other than Sophia Wells-the woman everyone called the number one socialite of Aurelian. Her pale apricot couture dress made her fair skin look even more radiant, and her soft curls casually draped over her shoulders. Every move she made gave off an effortless grace and calm elegance. Back when Calliope was younger, Lucien's favoritism had painted a target on her back, leaving her isolated from this very circle. Sophia had been the only one who'd shown her kindness-someone who'd stop to chat, offer a few comforting words while everyone else ignored her. Six years her senior, Sophia had once been a quiet beacon of light for