A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Monty stood there, speechless. Inside, he was freaking out a bit.

If she kept coming around more often, his precious treasures might be gone for good. He couldn't let that happen. He needed to find a better hiding spot for his stuff, and fast.

Calliope flashed them a smile and waved before heading off with the goodies she'd snagged from Monty's stash.

She was in a pretty good mood, having left the Jewell family with their tails between their legs. Best part? She'd nabbed all the things Monty held dear.

Oh, and she'd managed to snap a family photo with them, which was really just to get under Lisette's skin. There wasn't any sentimental reason for it; it was purely for spite. Calliope planned on giving Lisette a taste of her own medicine for everything she'd done.

Lisette would be getting out soon, and when she did, she'd find the Jewell family had turned upside down, completely unrecognizable. Even her room had been turned into a storage closet. All those things she'd snatched and held onto? Gone.

Calliope could already picture Lisette's face when she realized it. A smirk played on her lips. She planned on visiting the Jewell family regularly from now on, not just to annoy them, but to make sure they didn't change the room back. Satisfied, she drove away from the villa, her mood buoyant.

...

With Calliope gone, Monty and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Should we change Lisette's room back?" Ulysses asked suddenly. "She might be upset if she sees it like this."

"Didn't you hear what Callie said?" Monty said, rubbing his temples. "She said she'd be coming by often!"

"She never wanted to come before, now all of a sudden she's planning frequent visits. Guess she thinks she's got us all figured out!" Zelda rolled her eyes. "If you ask me, you've all been too nice to her, that's why she's like this!"

Horatio glanced at Zelda, "Mom, let's be honest, we haven't exactly been fair to Callie. Maybe cut her some slack?"

"Yeah, seriously, just stay out of it!" Monty added.

"Hmph, if it wasn't for Horatio's legs, Lisette, and the company, I wouldn't want to see her either!" Zelda snapped back.

...

Meanwhile, Calliope was cruising down the road, feeling pretty good.

Silas had already called to check when she'd be home. She told him she was on her way. But then her mood shifted. She'd noticed it almost as soon as she left the Jewell's place-a car had been tailing her.

At first, she figured it was just coincidence, but as she drove further with no other cars around, it became clear. She slowed down,

expecting the car to pass, but it didn't. It just kept following

Her expression hardened.

"What's wrong?" Silas sensed her sudden silence and immediately asked.

"I mentioned I was on my way back, right? Well, someone's tailing me Calliope said, her voice steady as she pushed the gas pedal. "I'll have to call you back. I need to find out who's following me."

"Where are you?" Silas's voice tightened with worry.noveldrama

"On Seventh Avenue. Don't worry. I'll take care of it and be back soon."

With that, Calliope ended the call, determination etched on her face.