A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Is she out of her mind?" Zelda snapped, her voice sharp with irritation. "It's not like she's ever given us a dime, but she's throwing all that cash at those damn employees? Has she gone completely crazy?"

"That's a ridiculous amount," Lisette muttered, frowning. "Do you think she's trying to buy their loyalty or something? Maybe she's planning to take over the whole company!"

At Lisette's words, Horatio and the others shot each other uneasy glances, suspicion flickering across their faces.

"That's exactly what she's after!" Zelda spat, practically grinding her teeth. "I knew she was up to something when she took over. She's just playing nice for now, keeping you all around until she's won everyone over, and then-bam!—she'll toss you all out on the street."

The thought made Zelda's expression darken even more. She turned to Monty. "This is all your fault. You were an idiot to hand her the company! She doesn't care about us. She only wants the money. That's all she's ever cared about."

"She's always been nothing but trouble, did you forget? She'll ruin us. She always does!"

Zelda hurled one insult after another, her anger boiling over.

his temples. After a moment, he pulled out his

didn't know if she was really after the company, or if this was all just paranoia. Either way, the whole situation was giving

phone rang only once before Calliope

said, not bothering with pleasantries, "I saw you sent out bonuses to everyone at the office. Don't you think that was a bit much? It's

about helping us out instead. The

Calliope was silent.

"Look, are you just trying to win everyone

now, isn't that a bit much? Callie, I really think you should

into the phone, his tone equal parts pleading and

money, and she was supposed to spend it on them, not on things