A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Yeah, I did it on purpose," Calliope said, her lips curling into a smirk that practically screamed, "I dare you to get mad."

Lisette's face went from annoyed to downright stormy. She hadn't expected Calliope to just admit it like it was nothing.

Calliope tilted her head, studying Lisette with almost childlike curiosity. "Doesn't feel too great, does it? Never thought you'd be on the receiving end for once, huh?"

Lisette's jaw clenched. "Calliope, don't push your luck!"

"Oh, I'm pushing it?" Calliope let out a laugh. "Don't tell me I'm worse than you ever were."

Lisette's glare could have frozen a cup of coffee. "What do you even want? You're already married to Silas. You've got money, you've got status. What more could you possibly want? Compared to Silas's world, the Jewell fortune is peanuts. Calliope, why can't you just be happy with Silas? Why drag me into this?"

"Once upon a time, I had you wrapped around my finger. Don't think I can't do it again."

There was a threat in Lisette's voice, cold as the wind off Lake Michigan. She stared Calliope down, convinced she could still intimidate her.

But Calliope only looked amused. Not a hint of fear.

"What do I want?" Calliope echoed, a little smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Simple. Whatever you did to me, I'm going to do right back to you."

“Are you scared?" she teased. "Because honestly, I'm kind of enjoying this whole tit-for-tat thing. And let's get one thing straight. You never had me under your thumb. I just didn't care enough to fight back. But if you think you can outplay me, you're dreaming."

She perched herself on the edge of the bed, chin up, looking Lisette right in the eye.noveldrama

"Look at that. All the stuff that used to be yours? Now it's mine. The company's in my hands. What else do you think you can take from me?"

With her arms crossed and a look of

pure

confidence, Calliope waited for

Lisette to make her move. "Go

ahead. See if you can still put your

little tricks on me."

"You-!" Lisette spat, face red with anger. "They listened to me before, and I'll

make sure they listen to me again! You won't win, Calliope!"

"The only reason they are nice to you now is because you're helping Horatio with his treatment. Once they don't need you anymore, no one will care! You really think you've won them over? Never. Their love if you can even call it that, has always belonged to me!"

Lisette looked triumphant, as if she'd just snatched the last slice of apple pie at Thanksgiving.

But Calliope's face remained unreadable. "Who said I ever wanted their love? Please. I just want to keep them in line."

"You have their affection, sure. But guess what? The company's in, hands. As long as they want their

precious lifestyles, they'll helmet

listen to me."

"And if they all ended up broke, do you really think they'd still care about you? Or would you even care about them?"

Lisette went pale, her bravado slipping. "You really have the company? What are you planning to do with it?"

Calliope couldn't help but laugh at Lisette's panicked look. "Nothing, really. Just having a little fun. Watching you squirm is pretty entertaining."

Lisette fumed, lost for words. She shot Calliope one last death glare, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her.