Chapter 97
Tom's eyes flicked around as he thought about Calliope's attitude at the hospital, feeling a deep resentment. He went on, "Of course not those things. Calliope, that stuck-up girl, even has a crush on my son. A daughter of a prostitute, does she really think she deserves my son David?"
Tom laughed it off. "Calliope acts all nice in front of me, doesn't even dare to talk back when I scold her. Both she and her mom are totally under my thumb, yet she has a thing for my son! But come on, a prostitute's kid? She doesn't deserve it!" Tom seemed to be bragging, like he always did, but Sylvester wasn't having any of it.
"Shut up!" Sylvester's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Tom finally backed off a bit, waving his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, I won't bring it up in front of you. After all, you like Calliope."
Sylvester felt like if he listened any longer, he might just punch him.
"Get out!" Sylvester started the car, ready to hit the gas, but Tom kept talking.
"She likes my son. When he had that heart attack, she took care of him and paid for the medical bills. If that's not love, what is?" Tom said it all without holding back, showing no old feelings.
"If you say one more word, I'll send you to hell right now!" Sylvester's anger was barely contained, his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel.
"When are you gonna give me the $100,000—no, $200,000?" Tom asked with a cheeky grin, pretending not to see Sylvester's anger.
Sylvester floored the gas pedal, and the car sped off.
Tom, left behind, spat in the direction Sylvester had gone and cursed, "What's so great about you? Just 'cause you have money? Wait till I become an Ace Gambler, I'll crush you with money in no time!"
Sylvester's mind was a mess. Whether Tom's words were true or not, Calliope's care for David was clear, which made him even more upset.
After calming down, he pulled over and dialed Robert's number.
His tone was cold. "Check out the school where Calliope studied in Frostholm. I want to know what she's been up to abroad all these years!"
Meanwhile, David's hospital bills were piling up, and Calliope, desperate, had turned to Rose. Knowing Rose's money-grubbing ways, there was no way she would've given that $10,000 to Tom. Calliope knew her mom too well.
Rose was leisurely sipping coffee when she saw Calliope come in and mocked, "Didn't you say you didn't like this place? What's brought you here today?"
Calliope didn't want to waste words and directly reached out her hand, her tone annoyed. "You didn't give that $10,000 to Tom, did you? Hand it over! I need it urgently!"
Rose's expression changed, and she glared at Calliope fiercely. "What are you talking about? I don't have $10,000, not a single penny. You never gave me any money."
Calliope's eyes widened. She knew Rose loved to play tricks, but she hadn't expected it to go this far. Pointing outside, she almost shouted, "Are you out of your mind? Playing amnesia with me?! Don't you know how David has treated us? He's lying in the hospital now, and without money for treatment, he'll die. If it weren't for David protecting you, you would've been bullied to death by that bastard long ago. Have you forgotten?"
Rose remained unmoved, and after a while, she stood up, pointing at Calliope's head, and scolded bitterly, "You fool, they're all using us! You've been sold down the river and still counting the money for them! Besides, I don't have any money, and even if I did, I wouldn't give it to them. You know how awful Tom is, and yet you still help David with his treatment. Are you silly?"
Calliope shook off Rose's hand, baffled by her mom's hatred for David. David had always been kind and understanding, practically family to Calliope, giving her warmth she rarely felt.
So, when Rose bad-mouthed David, Calliope was pissed. "What right do you have to say he's bad? He's never done anything to hurt you. You're the wicked one!"
Rose glared at her, eyes practically shooting daggers. She could see David's scheming ways, but why couldn't Calliope?
"David's got his own agenda, and you're just throwing yourself at him! I raised you with so much effort, and now you wanna be someone else's ATM? You know how badly Tom treats us, and yet you still help his son with his treatment. It's ridiculous!" Rose got more and more worked up, hoping Calliope would see the truth about those two, but she was blinded by her feelings and now even came to ask for money. Rose would never give it to her.
"Rose, I always thought you were heartless, but today I realize how truly evil you are!" Calliope glared at her, eyes resolute. She was determined to cure David and then leave for good.
A woman nearby saw the whole scene and shook her head. "You two are really a pair. You care so much about her, yet you use words to hurt her. Why? Kids are meant to be loved. Can't you be a bit gentler?"
Rose, still fuming, glared at the woman. "Care about her? I wish that fool would die sooner! She only knows how to give money away! I don't know what kind of spell David cast on her to make her so obsessed!"
Calliope stormed out, only to run into a woman who looked familiar. She stopped and took a closer look, suddenly remembering that this woman, named Bella, was Rose's colleague, practically a modern-day pimp!
Bella was surprised to see Calliope, a hint of astonishment in her eyes. She had once shown interest in Calliope's looks to Rose, and although Rose had verbally agreed, she hadn't taken any action, leaving Bella waiting.
Since Calliope's teenage years, Bella had been drawn to her clear and cold eyes, always feeling this girl was extraordinary. She believed Calliope had unlimited potential, but unfortunately, Rose had protected her too well, and Bella didn't dare to make a move.
Calliope looked down on these people and was about to leave when Bella stopped her. "Calliope, you've grown into a fine young woman. Your mom really kept you hidden! Look at your great figure and delicate face..."
Bella smiled, signaling Calliope to turn around a few times, carefully examining her physique and appearance. She couldn't help but praise, under the influence of a mother like Rose, Calliope had not a trace of a sordid aura, which was truly rare!
Calliope didn't say a word, only giving a perfunctory smile, unwilling to waste time on these people.
Bella covered her mouth and laughed, thinking that if she could recruit this girl, she would surely make a fortune. At the very least, she could make those men light up, instead of always complaining about the lack of fresh faces.
"Calliope, I've watched you grow up. Are you here to ask your mom for money? It's not good to keep asking for money when you're grown up. You should be self-reliant. I'm willing to offer you a high price, three times higher than your mom's side, how about $10,000 a time?" Bella said with a smile, her eyes full of temptation.
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