"Debby''s been fired."


    The girl at the neighboring desk leaned over, her voice low but urgent. "She did some pretty shady stuff, not just spreading rumors and stirring the pot, but she was also skimming money from thepany. Once they found out, she was gone."


    Lisette frowned, ncing up from herputer. "Debby? Embezzling? Sounds like someone''s looking for a scapegoat while I was out of the office."


    The girl straightened up, her tone suddenly formal. "By the way, I''m Talia, your new assistant. If you need anything, just let me know! Oh, and the chairman wants to see you in the office."


    Lisette rolled her eyes before striding down the hall. She figured the "chairman" meant her father, Monty Jewell. He''d probably heard about the drama and wanted to reassure her. Honestly, it was a good opportunity. She could finally air her grievances about Calliope.


    No way the Jewell family would drop her so quickly, right? They couldn''t just turn their backs like that.


    Lisette knocked once, then pushed open the big oak door to the executive suite. Something was off. The décor had changed, the family photos swapped out for modern art, the smell of her dad''s favorite coffee reced by something floral. She barely had time to process it before she saw who was sitting behind the desk


    Calliope!


    Lisette''s face darkened instantly. "What are you doing in my dad''s chair, Calliope? That''s his office, not yours. Get out of there!"


    She red at her, voice sharp. “Dad called me in. Why are you ying games in here?"


    Calliope looked up from a stack of files, calm and collected.


    Franco, thepany''s legal advisor, stood nearby, quietly observing.


    "I don''t know if your dad called you, Calliope said, twirling a pen between toe ngers, "but I asked y


    her


    in."


    Lisette''s fists clenched. "We have nothing to talk about. I''m here for my dad.


    Move, Calliope. That is not your seat!"


    Calliope just smirked and nced at Franco. He nudged a shiny brass namete forward on the desk.


    Franco said, pointing to the namete. “Lisette, see for yourself: Chairman, Calliope Jewell."


    He looked at Lisette, eyebrows raised. "Can''t you read?"


    shed at the engraved


    Lisette


    letters.


    shock


    she''d read it wrong. She blinked,


    ret


    a moment she was sure


    twisting her features.


    Calliope was the chairman? Monty had handed over thepany? Had he lost his mind?


    "This can''t be happening," she muttered, stumbling back a step.


    ét


    Just then, Monty came in through the door, his expression cool and unreadable. He nced at Lisette and Said in a t tone, “Oh, Lisette, you''re here too."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!