A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"So, what's it gonna be? Can you pay it back within a week? Or do you think jail time is the better deal?"

Calliope had no intention of letting Lisette off the hook. She looked at her, lips curled in a cold, mocking smile.

Lisette's face turned ashen. One glance at Calliope told her all she needed to know. She had rock-solid evidence. There was no excuse Lisette could offer. She was completely at Calliope's mercy now.

"I'll pay it back... But a week? That's way too short. Can't you give me more time?" Lisette tried to negotiate.

She was in a deep hole. There was no way she could scrape together that kind of cash so quickly. This wasn't pocket change; it was a serious sum. How was she supposed to pull that off in just seven days?

"Oh, so you didn't think about that when you were skimming off the top, huh? You're always going on about how much you care about the company, about helping it grow. This your idea of helping?" Calliope's voice was sharp. "Because if everyone did what you did, there wouldn't be a company left."

Lisette could feel her cheeks burning. Monty was standing right there, and she'd always told him everything she did was for the good of the family business. Now Calliope had dug up the truth and thrown it right in her face.

"I get it. I'll figure something out!" she snapped, glancing at Monty. She wanted to explain, but what could she possibly say?

The Jewell family had always been generous to her, maybe too generous. They'd spoiled her, and now her needs had outgrown what they were willing to give. That's why she'd started helping herself to company funds. Until now, everyone in the Jewell family believed whatever she said. She'd never worried about getting caught.

It had never crossed her mind that Calliope would one day be in charge, and would uncover everything.

"Alright, if you're done, you can leave," Calliope said dismissively, then added, "Oh, and if you still want to work here, Franco will be by in a bit to discuss your new duties."

Lisette stared at Calliope, barely able to hide her disbelief and dread. She knew Calliope wouldn't make things easy for her, not a chance. Whatever tasks were coming, they'd be the kind that made her question why she showed up at all. noveldrama

Calliope was doing this on purpose, just to make her suffer!

Lisette was furious but powerless. The company was Calliope's now. Even the Jewell family had changed. None of them seemed to care about Lisette anymore.

As Lisette left the office, she opened

the door and nearly walked right into Horatio and Valerian. The two men stood in the hallway, their faces unreadable. Clearly, they'd caught at least part of the conversation.

Lisette's own face was a mess of emotions. She stared at them, speechless, no idea what to say.

Horatio and Valerian just nodded at her, then walked into the office without a word.

Lisette felt her composure cracking. She stumbled back to her own office, numb.

Back inside, Calliope looked at Horatio and Valerian as they approached and tossed a folder onto the table.

"I know what you're going to ask," she said. "Take a look for yourselves."

She'd kept a copy of the evidence she'd shown Lisette, always planning to show Horatio and Valerian when the time was right.

From day one at the company, she'd

started collecting evidence. Now that Lisette was back, it was finally

time to make her pay for the

damage she'd done.