A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Gideon, don't you dare push it too far!" Portia spat out through gritted teeth, glaring at him.

Gideon didn't bother with a reply. Instead, he fixed his eyes on Calliope, sending a clear message - he wanted her to beg him for help.

He was well aware that the Jewell family wouldn't lift a finger for Calliope, not with Lisette in the picture. Nobody would stand up for her, and if she didn't plead with him, he might just testify in favor of that couple himself.

Portia was practically fuming, hoping the police would get to the bottom of it.

Gideon casually strolled over to Calliope, leaning close to whisper conspiratorially in her ear, "Why don't you ask for help nicely, Callie? Beg me, and I might just testify for you. Otherwise, I'll tell them it was you who hit that couple. I'm sure Uncle Silas wouldn't be thrilled to see you behind bars."

A sly grin tugged at his lips, his eyes glinting with mischief. After all, Calliope had chosen Silas, repeatedly ignoring Gideon, so he felt justified in playing dirty.

Calliope stepped back, unfazed. Her sharp and striking eyes met his with a calm defiance. "Didn't anyone teach you to show some respect to your elders, Gideon?"

"Behind bars? You think that will happen, huh?" Her voice was low, almost husky, but filled with an unwavering confidence.

Her gaze never wavered, and at that moment, Gideon's heart skipped a beat, feeling as if it wanted to leap out of his chest. He'd never realized how captivating and mesmerizing she could be.

Calliope coldly glanced away and pulled out her phone, her fingers moving swiftly over the screen.

A few moments later, a knowing smirk played on her lips.

"Funny thing, the cameras seem to be working just fine. And look at that. There's a clear shot of you hitting your wife," she said, turning the screen toward the couple.

The woman's face went ashen at the sight of the footage, while the man was rendered speechless. With the surveillance evidence against them, there was nothing left to argue.

The man turned to the police officers, his expression tense. "I-It was just a game between my wife and me. Nothing serious.'

"Just a game, huh?" Calliope arched an eyebrow. "How about I join in your little games?"

The officers requested the footage from Calliope and promptly escorted the couple out. The bar soon returned to its usual lively atmosphere.

However, some patrons were curious about how Calliope had access to the security footage.

One particularly nosy onlooker

couldn't resist asking, "Ms. Jewell

how did

you get your hands on that

footage? Wasn't the system

supposed to be down?"

"With so many cameras around, hacking into one isn't exactly rocket science," Calliope replied nonchalantly.

Her response left the crowd momentarily stunned, and then a few gave her a thumbs-up.

"Ms. Calliope, that's impressive!"

"Ms. Calliope is a hacker, too?"

"Ms. Calliope, care to join us for a drink?"

Calliope politely declined the drink offers while Portia settled beside her, casting an annoyed glance at Gideon.

"Gideon, what are you gawking at? We don't need your help anymore!"

Gideon looked at Calliope, still reeling from what he'd just

witnessed. He had no idea she was capable of hacking into security

in

systems. He'd watched her deftly

manipulate her phone, pulling up the footage like child's play.

"How did you even do that?" Gideon asked, furrowing his brow. "Why didn't I know you could do something like that?"

"Is it so surprising? There are plenty

of things you don't know about me," Portia interjected, arms crossed. "When you finally do, you'll be kicking yourself for sure."