A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Why are they all following our boss?"

"Man, our boss is just incredible!"

The crowd's chatter grew louder, and a few fans even let out excited squeals. Everyone was gushing about how ridiculously handsome Julius looked, and the other two guys weren't exactly falling behind in the looks department. Everyone was practically buzzing with excitement.noveldrama

Well, everyone except Valerian. His face had gone completely pale. He looked like he'd just seen a ghost. He knew these guys were Calliope's brothers, but he never imagined she'd actually bring them here.

And what did she just say? Was she...siding with Franco? She was his sister, for crying out loud. Why was she defending some assistant over her own brother?

"Callie, Franco wouldn't let me touch the car! Isn't this the car you gave me? If it's mine, why can't I check it out? He's just an assistant, and he's telling me what to do? That's way out of line."

Calliope just stared at him and asked, "Where do you get this confidence, Valerian? Seriously, you think you can compare to Franco? Franco and I have been through hell and back together. Sure, you're my brother, but we're not even that close."

"What Franco says, goes. His word is as good as mine. I know him better than anyone. He's worked with me for years, and he's never crossed the line.”

"And he's right. You shouldn't touch the car. If you broke it, you couldn't afford to pay for the damages."

Calliope stepped closer, her tone icy and direct.

"And for the record, this car wasn't for you. It's for my other brother, Norton. Not you."

She shot Valerian a cool smile.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the noise. Everyone heard it. People around them cringed on Valerian's behalf.

The car wasn't even for him, but he'd acted like i it was his from the start. Franco had tried to stop him, but he just wouldn't back down. He insisted on trying out the car.

In the end, he got neither the car nor Franco's respect. And he just made himself look ridiculous.

"Norton, I know you've had your eye on this car, so I went out of my way to snag it for you," Calliope said, her voice suddenly softer as she turned to Norton.

Norton barely glanced at Valerian.

"How did you ever get the idea that, after how you've treated Callie, she'd be giving you a gift like this?" he said dryly.

Valerian's face went from white to red in a split second. His ears burned bright pink. He looked about ready to explode. He just couldn't believe it.

"Callie, why would you spend so much money on a car for me?"

Norton was clearly happy that Calliope remembered what he liked, but he still sounded a little concerned.

"Every time, you're the one giving me

these extravagant gifts! What I give you never comes close to what you've given me. It's only fair Calliope replied.

"Norton, come on, you have to try it out!" she grinned. "I bet you're dying to get behind the wheel."

"Guess I won't say no, then," Norton said with a smile, hopping into the driver's seat.

The crowd watched, awestruck. Someone whispered, "Wait, isn't Norton that pro racecar driver? He's legendary! I'm not even into racing and I've heard of him!"

"Oh my gosh, our boss is surrounded by VIPs!"

"Looks like her real brothers aren't the only big shots around here!"