A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"I have no idea," the assistant replied politely to Calliope Jewell. "Ms. Jewell, after

you."

Calliope shot him a glance. "I don't have time for this. I need to get home and start

dinner. I'm in charge of Christmas Eve."

She tried to step past him, but the man quickly blocked her path. "Ms. Jewell, if

you try to leave, I won't be so gentle next time."

Calliope just looked at him. "Trust me, you don't want to pick a fight with me."

The man frowned. "Maybe not, but do you think Mr. Myers only sent me? If you

make a scene, do you really want to get your brothers and your husband

involved?"

Calliope glared at him, thoroughly annoyed.

She'd barely gotten her brothers all together, finally reunited and actually having a

good time as a family.

And now, of all nights, Christmas Eve, for crying out loud, she was supposed to

drop everything? She still had to prep the turkey, mash potatoes, and get dessert

in the oven, not to mention the family traditions after dinner.

She pressed her lips together, frustration written all over her face. She was

furious.

"I don't want to drag them into this. I just want to say, does Oliver not realize what

day it is? Seriously, is he insane?"

Calliope was practically fuming.

"Fine. I'll come with you. But I'm saying goodbye to my brothers first."

"That's fine, Ms. Jewell," the assistant replied, "but our boss did say, he hopes

you'll bring Silas too. He'd like to see you both."

Calliope gave him a long look. "Do

you really think I'd bring Silas along?

Not a chance. I'm not about to ruin

his Christmas. He doesn't need to

see his deadbeat father. Don't tell

me you don't know what a jerk your

boss is. If you don't, you seriously

need to do some research."

Zane shrugged, face unreadable. "Doesn't really matter to me if he's a jerk. As

long as my paycheck clears, I'm good."

Calliope stared at him, then raised an eyebrow. "What if I doubled your salary?

Would you switch sides?"

Zane looked at her in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"I'm serious," Calliope said. "Whatever he's paying you, I'll pay you double. Does

that buy your loyalty?"

Zane's expression grew

complicated. "He's not that easy to

double-cross. And you can't

guarantee me a steady job. Whynoveldrama

would I risk my career for a quick

buck?"

Calliope grinned. "You're pretty sharp. But what if I triple it?"

She watched Zane closely.

"If I remember right, Oliver trusts

you, doesn't he? Think about it, you

could collect both paychecks. All I

want is for you to stay close to

Oliver and do me a few favors when

the time's right."

Calliope smiled, amused. People who loved money rarely stayed loyal, but they

were always easy to buy. She could tell Zane was tempted. After a moment, he

nodded.

"All right. If I can get paid twice, I'm in. But whatever you want me to do, I can't

make it too obvious. Otherwise, I'm a dead man."

"Of course," Calliope replied, grinning. "I still need you in one piece. So it's a deal.

From now on, you're my guy."