A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust novel 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?"