A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"What the hell?"

"Did you tell that little brat to go after Lisette?"

Zelda seethed, and her teeth clenched in barely restrained fury.

"Because of you, Lisette's arm will never be the same! Calliope, how could you be so cruel?"

Calliope let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head slightly.

"Watch your mouth, Zelda. Who are you calling a 'little brat'? Or do you prefer to be called an 'old hag'?"

"Calliope! Show some respect. She's your mother!" Valerian snapped, his face dark with anger.

"My mother?" Calliope arched a brow, lips curling into a smirk. "No, I don't have a mother."

She crossed her arms and leaned back lazily against the counter.

"And don't start the whole 'Lisette did nothing wrong' act. She brought this on herself. Lisette had the brilliant idea to mess with Baber, the Thorne family's golden boy, the one no one in this city dares to cross. She chose to poke the bear. Losing just an arm? She got off easy."

"That was assault! Are you seriously suggesting she should just take it? What, do you want her thrown in jail for this?" Calliope shrugged. "But she won't walk out with a spotless reputation if she lands in prison. That's for sure."

Zelda yanked her hand back, glaring. "You and Upton are close. And you're tight with that little rat, too. Why the hell would you do this to Lisette?"

Calliope gave Zelda an unreadable look. "You said it yourself. I'm close to them. Of course, I have their backs. Lisette screwed up, and now you're trying to make it my problem? Please. Maybe you should worry about your company instead of finding fault with me. Did you think Upton would let this go so easily?"

Zelda's stomach twisted at Calliope's words. She darted a glance at Valerian, silently asking if there was any truth to what she had heard.

Valerian didn't know for sure but had

on.ex

heard plenty of stories about Upton's fierce devotion to his son. Baber wasn't some spoiled rich kid. He was Upton's pride and joy, the only thing left to him by the woman he had loved.

And if Upton decided to hold a grudge against the Jewell family over this? That would be a disaster.

Valerian's jaw tightened. "Calliope, is this about the company shares? Are you trying to ruin us because we didn't give you any shares?"

He knew how much sway Calliope held with Upton. She could only whisper a few words and turn the tide against them.

Calliope might be pulling the strings if Upton decided to crash the Jewell family's business. Maybe it was her real plan all along. She'd ensure no one else could have the Jewell

Group if she couldn't take it herself.

"If that's what you think, you're delusional," Calliope said smoothly.

Zelda bristled. "You won't get a single share of this company! Not one!" Calliope didn't even blink. "Suit yourself. But maybe focus on keeping your company afloat first. If you don't, you will have nothing left to give."

Zelda's face turned red with fury. "You-you just want the company, don't you?"noveldrama

Calliope's lips curled into a slow, almost lazy smile. "You got me. Five percent. Take it or leave it."

Zelda clutched her chest as if trying to steady her racing heart. "You're insane! I would rather lose everything than give you a single cent!"

Valerian let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head in disappointment. "Calliope, can't believe you. You're taking advantage of this situation, huh? You're nothing like our family. You don't belong in the Jewell family."