A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Yeah, I can't get through on the phone. I'm really worried something's happened to him at home." Calliope said, "You all know what the Yoder family is like."

"So what do we do?" Portia frowned, "It's gotta be that wicked stepmom of his. Otherwise, Archie would've shown up, he promised. Now we can't even reach him... what if she took his phone away?"

Mavis couldn't help but frown as well. They were all genuinely concerned about Archie. The group had always been tight, and Archie was like the little brother they all adored.

"I'm going over there," Calliope said, face set and determined.

"I'm coming too!" Portia chimed in. "I've been dying to give that evil stepmother a piece of my mind. She's always picking on Archie!"

"His dad's no better, never stands up for his own son," Mavis added, her voice cold.noveldrama

"I'm in. Let's go," Silas said without hesitation.

"Yeah, let's all go," Norton agreed, still holding a couple boxes of fireworks.

"Forget the fireworks. We can set them off later," Quentin said, walking over when he heard the conversation.

Calliope nodded immediately. No matter what was going on with Archie, there was only one thing on her mind: she had to see him, even if it meant showing up at the Yoder house uninvited.

If Archie was fine, great. But if something was wrong, she wasn't about to let anything happen to him. Archie had always looked out for her. Now it was her turn.

Without another word, the group piled into their cars and, pedal to the metal, tore down the road toward the Yoder family estate.

Less than forty minutes later, they found themselves standing in front of the Yoder mansion's heavy oak doors.

"Who are you people? What's going on here?" a housekeeper stammered, clearly intimidated by their numbers and their determined looks.

He tried to block their way, but it was obvious he was outmatched. He figured he should probably go let the boss know what was happening.

"Where's Archie? We're his friends. We just want to hang out," Calliope said, stepping forward.

As she got out of the car, she'd grabbed one of Norton's fireworks, tucking it under her arm like a makeshift battering ram.

If Archie was in trouble, she was ready to make a scene. She'd honestly thought Archie would at least get to enjoy Christmas dinner this year, but judging from the situation, he probably hadn't even gotten that.

"Archie?" the housekeeper hesitated. "Listen, you can't just barge in like this. I need to let Mr. Yoder know."

"You wait here," he said, trying to keep them at the door as he turned to fetch Mr. Yoder.

But Calliope wasn't having it. "No need to announce us. I'll talk to your boss myself."

She brushed past him, and as the housekeeper tried to block her,

Norton and the others steppe net

forward, not-so-subtly forming a wall between him and Calliope

The housekeeper started to panic. Whatever these kids were here for, it was clearly more than just a friendly chat with Archie. Especially

with

Calliope in the lead, and her.

behind her holding what

suspiciously like a rocket launcher. Were they planning to blow up the place?

"Mr. Yoder! There are people here!" he called, voice cracking as he shouted toward the house.

Of course, he yelled as loud as he could, but nobody inside seemed to hear him.