A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust novel Chapter 853

Portia Sutton stood beside Calliope, her arms crossed as she eyed Ulysses with suspicion.

“Wait a second,” she whispered. “Is Ulysses actually trying to defend you?”

She snorted. “That’s rich. Wasn’t he the one who used to hate your guts the most?”

“Seriously, every time your name came up, he’d lose his mind. He couldn’t stand you—always making a scene about you and Lisette. And now he’s suddenly on your team?”

Calliope just shook her head, just as baffled as Portia. She had no idea why Ulysses had flipped the script so suddenly.

But honestly? It didn’t really matter.

She didn’t care if Ulysses was fighting for her or not. She could clear her name on her own if she had to. If he wanted to help, fine—if not, she’d be just as well off.

Calliope’s gaze drifted to Ulysses, who looked like he was about to explode.

He was outnumbered by the whole Jewell family, his words getting tangled up the more he tried to explain, and his face was red with frustration.

Down in the crowd, people were whispering, convinced Calliope had somehow bewitched Ulysses—maybe promised him something in return. Some thought he was just being used as her pawn.

After the chaos started to calm, Calliope gave Portia a nod. “Guess it’s my turn.”

“Go get ‘em.” Portia flashed her a thumbs-up.

Calliope nodded back and walked up toward the stage.

As soon as she appeared, a wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Isn’t that Calliope? Oh my god, that’s her!”

“She actually showed up?!”

“What’s she doing here—coming to confess or something?”

“She must’ve heard the Jewell family was holding a press conference. Maybe she’s here to pay everyone back now that her secrets are out?”

“Callie’s never done anything cruel in her life. She’s poured her heart into charity, and if people bothered to look, they’d see she’s the kindest soul here!”

“It’s the Jewell family who’ll do anything for a buck—shameless, the whole lot of them!”

Portia’s words were mostly lost in the crowd, but a couple people nearby caught them—one of them a well-known reporter.

“Excuse me, what did you just say?”

“Yeah, do you know something?”

Portia realized who she was talking to and seized the moment. “I’m Calliope’s best friend—I know the real story. I can tell you everything.”

“Calliope only found out about her real identity recently. She was adopted by old man Kermit Jewell when she was a kid—she had no idea she wasn’t really a Jewell.”

“And Kermit’s death—what, are you saying she’s responsible?” one reporter pressed.

“Of course not!” Portia said firmly, her eyes blazing. “If anything, Kermit lived a few extra years because of Calliope!”