Chapter 188

He hurled the beer bottle straight at the woman. The woman was terrified. Her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor.

As the bottle flew towards her, everyone around gasped, bracing for the worst.

But Calliope, without a moment’s hesitation, reached up and intercepted the man’s arm with surprising ease, stopping him dead in his tracks. She remained calmly seated, but her grip was unyielding.

“Let go!” the man barked, straining to free his arm. Yet no matter how much he struggled, it was like trying to wrestle free from a steel vise.

He stared at Calliope, shock flickering in his eyes. “Listen, lady, you better mind your own business! You don’t even know her. Why are you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong?”

“I can’t stand by and watch you abuse your wife,” Calliope retorted coldly. “Stop hitting her, and I’ll let you go.”

The man snapped, “No way! She stepped out of line. Why shouldn’t I hit her? She is my wife! I can do whatever I want, and nobody can stop me!”

Calliope applied a little more pressure, bending his wrist slightly, causing him to yelp in pain, his face turning pale.

“You crazy woman! Are you trying to break my wrist? I’ll call the cops on you!” he blustered, though there was a tremor in his voice.

Calliope tightened her grip, her expression unyielding. She planned to teach this man a lesson before handing him to the police.

But then, he shouted at the woman unexpectedly, “You useless hag, aren’t you going to help me? Without me, you’re nothing! I’m your husband. Aren’t you going to do anything?”

The woman, tears brimming in her eyes, reached out and grabbed Calliope’s wrist. “Please, let my husband go.” Calliope was momentarily stunned.

The woman seemed more upset by her husband’s pain than by the fact that he had been about to hit her.

“If you’re scared of him, I can help you call the police,” Calliope offered. “You don’t have to put up with this. You can choose to leave him.”

“No, I won’t leave him!” the woman shook her head vehemently as though Calliope had struck a nerve. She suddenly shoved Calliope hard. “We don’t need your help! It is a family issue. Why are you interfering? Are you trying to steal my husband?”

Calliope stared at her, incredulous.

“Seriously?” Calliope murmured, almost amused by the absurdity.

“Let my husband go!” the woman insisted.

Calliope released the man’s arm, but in that split second, he swung the bottle at Calliope’s head.

With lightning reflexes, Calliope kicked out, sending him sprawling several feet away.

Horatio and the others looked on, eyebrows raised.

Lisette frowned, voicing her concern. “Why is Callie always so violent?”

“She’s always been like this, stirring up trouble wherever she goes,” Ulysses replied with exasperation.

Unable to hold back, Portia stepped forward. “What’s wrong with you, lady? Callie was trying to help you, and you turn on her like this?”

The woman glanced around, her expression sour. “Nobody asked for her help. This is our domestic affair, none of her business!”

She rushed over to her husband. “Honey, are you okay?”

“Call the cops! That crazy broad hurt me! Make her pay!” he demanded, clutching his side.