A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Lisette glanced up at Calliope, disbelief etched across her face.

"Are you out of your mind?" Horatio snapped, his brow furrowed. "I don't need your help, Calliope! Lisette, get up. I'll be fine. It's not like she's the only one who knows where the Miracle Doctor is. If we're willing to pay, we'll find her eventually."

Horatio looked at Calliope with an anger he'd never shown. Sitting in his wheelchair, he tried to help Lisette to her feet.

He wished Calliope would spill the beans about the Miracle Doctor, but her demands were always so outrageous. She really wasn't worth it.

Valerian was equally exasperated.

"Calliope, what's your problem? What did Lisette ever do to you? None of us like you, but it's not because of Lisette. It's about you. You need to look in the mirror. It's your fault. You can't measure up, and you blame everyone else? Give me a break."

Valerian's face twisted into a cold smirk, his gaze growing more disdainful. Maybe when she first came home, they kind of liked her. But over time, she just became more insufferable.

She was so petty, vying with Lisette all the time. Didn't she know she should give Lisette a break?

Calliope looked at Valerian with a cold detachment. "I never asked for your approval, did I? Who do you think you are that I'd want your acceptance?"

Valerian's expression darkened.

"I've left the Jewell family. Can't you Jewells stop clinging to me like sticky gum? Do you really find it amusing to keep harping on about this? When did I ever compete with her? Please, have I ever

ΛΟ

bad-mouthed her? When did you see me competing with her?

Calliope shrugged, feigning

innocence. "She knelt down of her own accord, didn't she? When you're asking for a favor, you should at least act like it. If Lisette's asking me, can't I express my opinion? Wasn't it her choice? I didn't force her, did I?"

Calliope cast a cursory glance at Lisette.

"Lisette, did I tell you to kneel? Did I ask you to beg me? If you're so obedient, what if I told you to jump off the top floor? Would you do that?

If I told you to drink toilet water

no

would you do that? Lisette, IĮ idea you were so eager to follow my orders."

Lisette's face paled, fear creeping in that Calliope might actually make her drink

toilet water. She seemed just crazy enough.

"I-it was my decision to kneel." Lisette hung her head, looking thoroughly ashamed. "Calliope, I'm sorry. I didn't know it would upset you. It's all my fault, okay? Blame me for everything!"

Her eyes were red with tears.

Calliope tossed a pie into her mouth, shaking her head.

"No, you can't take the blame for this! This is where you're wrong. How can it be your fault?" You know I don't particularly like you, yet you insist on making your presence known. What, do you think you're gold and I must like you?"

Calliope chewed thoughtfully, looking at Lisette with a hint of disdain.

"Since we're all here, why not settle some scores? Everyone seems so interestednoveldrama

in my family's business, so how about I share a little history with you all?"