A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Ulysses frowned, his jaw tightening. "Franco, did you just say we're not even as good as dogs?"

He sounded genuinely offended.

“Did I stutter?” Franco shrugged, completely unfazed. “Just calling it like I see it. The only reason you're still living the good life is because my boss keeps covering your asses. If she stopped bailing you out, the Jewell Group would've gone bankrupt months ago. You'd all be up to your necks in debt."

Valerian and Ulysses shot Franco a pair of icy glares.

"We're not useless! Even if she didn't help, we'd figure something out!" Valerian insisted stubbornly. "Calliope, you're only running things here because you blackmailed us into it, not because we need you!"

Calliope just stared at him, speechless for a moment.

Funny, how not long ago they'd practically been on their knees, begging her to take charge. And now they acted as if she'd stolen their inheritance.

Honestly, she was done trying to talk sense into them. The more she dealt with these brothers, the more she realized how pointless it was.

The elevator doors slid open. Calliope stepped out with Franco close behind.noveldrama

Franco glanced back at the Jewell brothers, shaking his head in exasperation. He'd spelled it out for them in plain English, but they never thought they were to blame for anything. Some people just couldn't be helped.

Someday, he figured, when Calliope finally stopped looking out for them, maybe then they'd realize what they'd lost. Although, knowing these two, they'd probably still think they were right and blame it all on Calliope for being "heartless."

You couldn't reason with people who refused to listen. There was no point trying.

Back in her office, Calliope picked up a couple of gift boxes that had been delivered earlier. As she stepped into the hallway, she found Valerian and Ulysses waiting at her door, their expressions stiff and awkward.

"Calliope, we came to invite you home for Christmas dinner," Ulysses said, trying to sound casual.

"Home? You mean the place where I'm only welcome if I'm cooking and cleaning?" Calliope replied, arching an eyebrow. "Is this an invitation to dinner, or do you just want me back to play housekeeper again?"

Ulysses flushed, suddenly uncomfortable.

He remembered how, every year, Calliope would be the one slaving away in the kitchen, washing dishes while the rest of the family dug into thesham and mashed potatoes. More often than not, by the time she finally sat down, everyone else was already clearing their plates.

Last year, he'd gotten home late, and found Calliope sitting alone at the table, picking at cold leftovers. He'd eaten with her that night, only to realize all the good food was already gone. He'd gotten angry, started a fight with the family, but afterwards, thinking back, he realized this was how it had always been for her.

But for everything else, his memory was fuzzy. Somehow, it always felt like things were Calliope's fault, like she'd brought it on herself. The family doted on Lisette, and he'd never really questioned why. It just seemed like the way things were.

"This time, you don't have to cook or clean," Ulysses said, his voice strained. "We

just want you to join us for dinner. That's all."

"Sorry. I'm busy," Calliope replied coolly. "A holiday dinner should be spent with family. And honestly? I don't think that's what we are."