A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Why don't we just take the photos ourselves? I mean, she's not even your biological daughter. Or is it that you all don't want to take a picture with me? You only want photos with Lisette?"

"If that's the case, forget it. It's not like I've been in any of these pictures for the past twenty years anyway."

She gazed down at her plate, picking idly at the mashed potatoes, as if she couldn't be bothered to continue the conversation.

Her demeanor made the others at the table tense up. Maybe she had a point. They'd taken family photos with Lisette before when Calliope wasn't around. So, why not take them now without Lisette? After all, Lisette was adopted. She'd been in plenty of pictures already.

"Alright, alright, let's do it!" Monty chimed in, trying to smooth things over. "When do you want to take them? You decide!"noveldrama

Zelda shot a chilly glance at Calliope, clearly wanting to say something, but Monty nudged her to keep quiet.

"Let's do it after dinner. I'll call a friend over to take them for us," Calliope suggested, looking directly at Monty and the others.

"Uh..."

"What? Can't do it?" Calliope raised an eyebrow. "Fine, then. It's not like we have to. We aren't exactly on speaking terms anyway!"

"No, no, it's fine. We'll do it whenever you say," Monty quickly agreed, trying not to rile her up. After all, with her connections and influence, it was best not to make her an enemy. It's just a family photo, nothing to get worked up about. It's not like it'd cost anyone an arm or a leg.

Horatio and the others nodded in agreement.

So, after dinner, Calliope's friend arrived, camera in hand. They gathered on the lawn outside the

family estate, ready for the photonet

shoot Calliope sat regally in the

center, like a queen on her throne, while the others stood behind her, creating a picture-perfect family portrait.

"We'll have the photos ready for you in about a week," her friend said as they wrapped up.

"Great," Calliope replied, seeing her friend out the door. She then took a leisurely stroll around the Jewell family villa, eventually making her way to Monty's study. Despite Monty's initial reluctance, he let her in.

"I remember there's a secret room behind this bookshelf, right? Mind if I take a

peek?" Calliope asked, eyeing the towering shelves.

Monty felt a chill of foreboding, but he couldn't refuse her request. Reluctantly, he opened the hidden room. Though not wealthy, Monty had amassed quite a collection of artifacts, some valuable, others not so much. sŵnovel

Calliope scanned the room, quickly assessing its treasures.

"This golden goblet is quite the eye-catcher. Shame you won't gift it to me," she remarked playfully. "And this bronze statue would look splendid in my living room!"

"Such beautiful pieces. Are these all meant for Lisette?" she asked, feigning a pout that could melt even the hardest heart.

Monty was speechless, his mind racing. Could he really say no after that?

"Never mind. Even if I adore them, you wouldn't let me take my pick," Calliope sighed dramatically. "I'm suddenly losing the will to keep steering the company forward. Maybe I should just hand it back to you guys?"

"No, please, don't say that! You silly girl, talking nonsense! Everything of your old man's is yours. Take whatever you like," Monty declared with feigned bravado, though his heart was breaking inside.