A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Of course I'll be with you. When you're at your family house, I'll stay by your side, and when I'm hanging out with my brothers, you'll come along with me, okay? You won't be too busy during the holidays, will you?"

"Not at all," Silas replied with a grin. "I haven't even officially met your brothers yet. I should probably make a good impression, especially since all three future brothers-in-law sound pretty intimidating!"

"You're telling me!" Calliope burst into laughter. "Getting past my brothers is no easy feat. You better brace yourself!"

"I promise I'll be ready," Silas said, putting on his best serious face.

"Good!" Calliope laughed again, her eyes bright.

When Calliope got back to Capitalton, she didn't go straight to the Jewell family mansion her first night. Instead, the next day, she headed to the office.

She hadn't told Monty or anyone else she'd be back at work so soon, so when she walked in, the receptionist looked genuinely surprised. She'd only been gone three days, but already the atmosphere felt... off.

"Calliope!" Lily at the front desk greeted her in a hushed, excited voice.

"Hey! Is something going on in the office?" Calliope asked, walking up and lowering her voice too.

"Nothing too crazy, but it's been weird since you left. That Lisette's been acting different with Horatio and Valerian. Especially Valerian. The two of them have gotten real close, if you know what I mean."

She leaned in conspiratorially. "Honestly, they don't seem like brother and sister at all. They act more like a couple. That's just my take, though! Don't mind me, I'm just gossiping."

Calliope gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Thanks, Lily. I'll keep my ears open."

Lily beamed, a bit flustered. "Of course! That's what I'm here for."

Calliope headed for the elevator and took it to the executive floor..

she passed Lisette's office, she noticed the door was half open,

As

voices drifting out.

Inside, Lisette was speaking with Valerian.

"Valerian, you know you're the one I love the most! Every gift I give you comes

from the heart. I knitted this scarf myself for you!"

"Don't say no. I want you to have it!"

"I know," Valerian replied softly. "You're important to me too. I love you, Lisette. But we need to

careful! If Callie comes ba

how

are we supposed to explain this?"

"We don't have to explain anything!" Lisette snapped, her voice sharp. "She's

always picking on me, and you never do anything about it!"noveldrama

"What am I supposed to do now?" Valerian retorted. "Besides, you know she's rich and powerful. There's a lot we can gain from her. We need to figure out how to get our hands on those benefits. Now's just not the time!"

"So what, I just let her bully me forever?" Lisette huffed. "You know I only took money out of the company for you guys, not for myself!"

"I know, Lisette. You love us the most.” Valerian moved closer, dropping his voice.

"Me especially, right? Are we still meeting at the hotel tonight?"

"No way!" Lisette pouted. "You haven't been nice to me at all. I'm not going."

"I'll make it up to you at the hotel, I promise," Valerian murmured.