Chapter 102

“I just think you dress too provocatively. Good girls shouldn’t dress like that.”

Calliope chuckled, suddenly stepping forward and grabbing Lisette by the arm.

“You’re right. I dress provocatively, and the bad guys might come after me. So, you dress like a manipulative little snake, and if I feel like hitting you, that’s fair, too, right?”

With that, Calliope landed a few sharp slaps across Lisette’s face.

The crowd around them erupted into whispers and murmurs. Some people who knew Lisette were clearly upset, stepping forward to defend her.

“Are you nuts? You can’t just hit people like that!”

“Lisette wasn’t wrong!”

“You’re the one dressed too provocatively!”

Portia overheard and wasn’t having any of it. She turned to the crowd, her voice cutting through the chatter. “So, if that’s how it works, if I don’t like what you’re wearing, does that mean I can just hit you, too? What does clothing have to do with anything? Should we let all the rapists out of prison and lock up people who dress lightly? It’s a warm day, and lots of us came to see the game. Plenty of gals are dressed cool and breezy. Ladies, watch out! You might end up in jail for showing some skin!”

The day was unseasonably warm, and with everyone there for the big game, many dressed up for the occasion, especially the women, who had chosen lighter, more comfortable clothing. Lisette’s comments had rubbed them the wrong way, pinning the blame on the victim, which was infuriating. “Yeah, what’s clothing got to do with it?”

“Are you supposed to blame yourself if you get attacked out of the blue?”

“Is everything your fault, even when a criminal harms you?”

“What kind of logic is that?”

“Are you siding with the criminals?”

“Disgusting!”

“If men say that, it’s one thing, but a woman saying it? Might as well wish you get assaulted and blamed for it. It’s not the criminal’s fault, right? It’s your fault you ‘asked for it, huh?”

Some of the women in the crowd started throwing sarcastic remarks at Lisette.

Her face turned pale, and she fell silent, clutching her face and retreating to Valerian’s side for support. Valerian had attempted to grab Calliope’s wrist, but she had shaken him off. She shot him a cold glance before pulling Portia away with her.

Valerian watched Calliope’s retreating figure, feeling more estranged from her than ever. The unfamiliar feeling pricked at his heart, leaving him restless and uneasy. It was as though something important was slipping away without him noticing. He felt unsettled but attributed his discomfort to the potential damage Calliope’s actions could cause to the Jewell family’s reputation.

“Lisette, are you okay?” After a moment, Valerian remembered Lisette had just been attacked.

Tears welled in Lisette’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Valerian. Did I do something wrong? Was I out of line?”

“It’s not your fault. Calliope was the one out of line.” Valerian’s voice was cold. “Who is she dressing like that for, anyway?”

Lisette’s lips curled into a subtle smirk as she wiped her tears. “Forget it, Valerian. You have a game to focus on. Don’t let this get to you. Go for first place.”

“Yeah, I know.” Valerian glanced at Calliope’s fading figure again, feeling a heaviness in his chest.

Meanwhile, in the back of the crowd, unnoticed by anyone, Silas stood quietly in a shadowed corner.

“It seems like Mrs. Myers has got some fire in her,” Fagan remarked with a note of admiration, standing beside Silas.

Chapter 103