A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

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.

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,

Franco said, rolling his eyes. "Your two

that Lisette had even tried to flirt with him. He'd brushed her off and kept his distance, even thought about

tried to hit on you, too?" Calliope was taken aback.

that's

replied, shaking his head

woman like her. She' Ddo anything for a leg up. And the Jewell family just eats

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

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

but agree. The Jewells seemed to have the memory span

to his office, and Calliope turned her attention to the mountain of work

and the others she was back in the office, nobody came by to bother her.