A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"You're asking me to cheat and be your mistress?" Calliope looked at Gideon with amused incredulity. She took a step back. "What makes you think you can compete with Silas? Never mind your status, you can't even get into the main office. And as for your looks and physique, where on earth does your confidence come from? Have you even looked in a mirror lately?"

"Calliope!" Gideon exclaimed in disbelief. "There's no need to be so harsh, even if you're upset! I know deep down you saying this just means you actually love me! You still love me, don't you? You just don't want to admit it!"

Calliope was silent for a moment, her eyes scanning him closely. "How come I've never realized?" "Realized what? That I'm this handsome?" Gideon asked, his confidence unshaken.

"Never realized you were such a dumbass," Calliope said, her expression deadpan. "And by the way, I've recorded everything you just said."

She pulled out her phone and pressed play, letting the audio fill the air around them.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked at him. "Gideon, what do you think your dear uncle will say when he hears this?"

"Calliope, you recorded me without my consent! How could you?" Gideon spluttered, his temper flaring. Calliope gazed at him, her demeanor calm. "I just thought your words weren't exactly pleasant, so I recorded them."

"Give me that phone and delete the recording!" Gideon demanded furiously.

"Not happening." Calliope said, firmness written all over her exquisite face.

Gideon lunged for the phone, but Calliope was quick on her feet, dodging his attempts easily. Gideon even stumbled after a few tries, his face turning livid with fury.

"Calliope!"

Calliope gazed down at him, her expression cool and resolute. "I won't share this with your uncle for now, but if you keep entertaining these ridiculous ideas, I might just change my mind."

With that, she turned on her heel and left, leaving Gideon to stew in his complex emotions-a mix of anger, frustration, and a begrudging sense of helplessness.

...

The next day, the Baker family was set to meet the Jansens, so Calliope and Silas joined them at the scheduled restaurant.

By the time they arrived, Eamon and the others were already gathered, though Yvette and Gideon were conspicuously absent.

"Are they not here yet?" Silas inquired as they settled down.

"Gideon went to pick them up," Fleur replied, a hint of impatience in her voice.

Fleur wasn't particularly impressed with Yvette's background. She'd done her homework and discovered Yvette came from a rather chaotic family. Her mother had been married

three times, and she had a

half-brother from a diffe

father,

with her own father a notorious

gambler.

To keep things from getting too embarrassing, Fleur had discreetly handed Gideon some cash to ensure they stayed in line.

"They should be here soon," Eamon reassured them.

After some small talk, Gideon finally arrived with Yvette and her family in tow. Yvette had apparently made an effort to spruce up her parents and half-brother, and they were dressed reasonably well.

"Ah, you must be Yvette's future mother-in-law!" Yvette's mother bounded over to Fleur and grabbed her

hand in a fervent handshake before sending greetings to the rest.

Fleur grimaced heavily, taking a moment to finally extricate her hand from the woman's grip.

Noticing Silas and Calliope, Yvette's

mother turned her attention to them. "And you must be Gideon's uncle! I hear you're in charge of the company. Please, do look out for ournoveldrama

Yvette!"

en

Watching the woman's fawning demeanor, Fleur only felt her cheeks flush with utter embarrassment.

"Alright, let's just sit down and enjoy our meal."