Chapter 148
She was surrounded by a crowd, her face lit up with a radiant smile, and even her eyes seemed to be sparkling with joy.
The three brothers stood awkwardly at the door. Their brows furrowed as if the sight of Calliope was like a splinter in their eye.
Horatio remembered the times when Calliope celebrated her birthday with Lisette. She never seemed this happy. But right then, she looked blissful.
She was with her three brothers, her siblings from the countryside. She seemed genuinely happy with them.
A peculiar discomfort settled in Horatio’s heart, and his frown deepened.
Ulysses chuckled dryly, “She didn’t invite us for her birthday. It seems like she doesn’t recognize us as her brothers anymore. We weren’t that bad to her, were we? Now that she has those brothers and a husband, she’s forgotten about the Jewell family, huh? Thinks she’s some Cinderella now?”
Valerian wore a scowl of dissatisfaction, “She’s changed.”
Nigel approached Calliope with a gift, offering it to her before whispering a few words.
Only then did Calliope notice the Jewell brothers standing at the doorway.
Many in the banquet hall had turned their attention to the Jewell brothers.
“Well, isn’t it the Jewell brothers? Did you come to wish Callie a happy birthday? Oh wait, you didn’t even bring a gift, did you?” Portia said, her voice dripping with mockery.
Her words drew everyone’s gaze toward the brothers at the door, probing and curious. Valerian and his siblings turned red with embarrassment, frozen in place.
Calliope hadn’t expected them to show up but effortlessly figured out their real reason. They certainly weren’t here to celebrate her birthday or to offer any warm wishes.
They were probably there about Lisette’s birthday party the following day. Their enthusiasm for Lisette’s birthday was always over the top.
Silas stood beside Calliope, eyeing Valerian and the others with a hint of frostiness. He hadn’t invited them, which made them uninvited guests.
“Callie, we need to talk,” Horatio finally broke the silence.
Silas stepped forward, instinctively protective, but Calliope lightly tugged on his sleeve.
“Silas, I’ll go talk to them. You stay and keep the party going.”
With that, Calliope walked toward the trio.
Under the lights, her dress, adorned with tiny crystals, shimmered like a fairy’s gown. She was regal, elegant, exuding a princess–like aura, breathtakingly beautiful.
Valerian and his brothers were momentarily stunned by her appearance.
Valerian, however, was more fixated on Calliope’s dress. If Lisette wore it, she’d undoubtedly look even better. He recognized the design was from the famous international designer K, whose dresses were rare treasures.
Yet there was Calliope, effortlessly draped in one of K’s designs, a dress Lisette had always desired but never obtained.
Valerian’s eyes narrowed sharply. They always saved the best for Lisette. After all, Lisette was the youngest among them. But here was Calliope, wearing what Lisette most coveted.
“What do you want to say?” Calliope asked, looking at the three of them. “I doubt you’re here to wish me a happy birthday.”
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