A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope stood in the hallway, a deep frown etched across her face as she strained to catch the conversation drifting out of the office nearby. She could hardly believe what she was hearing.

She pieced it together pretty quickly: the only reason Valerian didn't dare to cross her was because she had the power and the money. That was obvious enough.

But the real bombshell? He was sleeping with Lisette. Seriously?

She was floored. Lisette had been Valerian's "little sister" for years-closer than most real siblings. And now... this? How the hell did that even happen?

Calliope walked past Lisette's door, her mind a tangled mess. She thought about going in, but decided against it. Still, the whole thing was just so bizarre. What were Lisette and Valerian thinking? It was downright weird.

But honestly, their business was their own. Calliope couldn't be bothered. There was a time she'd thought of Valerian as a real brother, but turns out, he was never really family.

Back when she'd needed them, when she'd been desperate and reached out for help, none of them had cared enough to lift a finger. Whatever feelings she'd once had for them had long since faded.

With a cold look in her eyes, Calliope returned to her own office. She'd barely settled into her chair when Franco showed up, paperwork in hand. He must've heard she was back, because he came straight over to update her on the latest. And, of course, the topic quickly turned to Lisette.

"Lisette's got a real talent for stirring things up," Franco said, rolling his eyes. "Your two brothers and your dad are falling for her tricks all over again."

Franco confided that Lisette had even tried to flirt with him. He'd brushed her off and kept his distance, even thought about recording her just to have proof. When Lisette realized she was getting nowhere, she stormed off in a huff.

"She tried to hit on you, too?" Calliope was taken aback. "Isn't she already tangled up with Valerian?"

"Yeah, but that's Lisette for you,"

Franco replied, shaking his head et

"I've never met a woman like her. She' Ddo anything for a leg up. And the Jewell family just eats it up."

He looked genuinely baffled. "She doesn't seem to have any real skills, but the way she spins her stories, you'd think she'd hypnotized them. Anyone else would see right through her, But the Jewell family? It's like their brains have been scooped out by zombies or something."

Franco laughed, but there was no humor inst. "No matter what she does, they trust her. Even when they finally start to catch on, give it a few days, they'll forget everything and fall for her all over again. It's nuts." noveldrama

Calliope couldn't help but agree. The Jewells seemed to have the memory span of goldfish.

After a few more minutes of commiserating, Franco headed back to his office, and Calliope turned her attention to the mountain of work on her desk.

Since she hadn't told Monty and the others she was back in the office, nobody came by to bother her. She worked in peace until lunchtime.

When noon rolled around, she and Franco made their way to the cafeteria, discussing business as they went.

As soon as Calliope stepped inside, she spotted Lisette at a table with the three Jewell men, all of them laughing and sharing sandwiches like they were one big happy family.

Somehow, Lisette had wormed her way back into their good graces. Calliope had to admit, she could never hope to be that good at manipulating people.

She shot a quick glance their way, then walked with Franco into the room.

"Morning, boss!" a few employees called out as she passed.

She noticed more than a few curious glances being thrown toward Lisette's table. Clearly, she wasn't the only one noticing the bizarre family dynamics on display.