When Calliope got to the office, she chatted with a few of her old team members. They were genuinely concerned about her, and a couple even said they''d rather see her stay at thepany.


    Of course, Calliope had no intention of sticking around. She told them she was leaving for good, but she made sure to give her contact info to a few she trusted most.


    "If you ever get tired of working at Jewell Group," she said, "look me up, or drop by the Pearl Tiger Club. There''s always a spot for you."


    These were some of the most talented people at Jewell Group, folks the Jewell family had always overlooked. Since Calliope had joined, she''d promoted more than a few of them.


    "No matter what you decide, we''ve got your back!" one of them promised.


    "We hope everything goes smoothly for you after you leave Jewell Group," another added.


    They all knew she''d given them opportunities no one else had, so they didn''t try to talk her into staying.


    "Miss Callie, you need to watch out," one of them warned. "The Jewell family is out for blood right now."


    "Yeah, be careful," another chimed in. "They''re spreading rumors everywhere. We know the truth, but a lot of people don''t, and it might turn ugly for you."


    Calliope nodded. "Don''t worry about me. I''ll be fine. You all should get back to work."<fn545e> ?????? ???? find?novel</fn545e>


    "Oh, and one more thing," she said over her shoulder, "Jewell Group is on itsst legs. It won''tst much longer, so be prepared."


    They nodded, thanked her, and went on their way.


    Calliope had nned to find Monty. On her way in, she''d also notified a few senior managers and board members. There were still some decent people among the higher-ups.


    She wanted to make it clear she was cutting all ties with thepany.


    But she''d barely taken a few steps before Monty, Valerian, and the others stormed toward her, looking about ready to explode.


    "Calliope!" Monty practically shouted. "You liar! You tricked us, and you stole everything my father, Kermit, owned. Everything that should''ve been ours, you took it, didn''t you?"


    Calliope looked him straight in the eye, frowning.


    They must have dug into her finances, she thought. That was the only way they''d be this upset.


    Clearly, they thought she''d robbed Kermit blind.


    "I never lied to you," Calliope said, her voice calm. "I only just found out I wasn''t really part of your family."


    She met Monty''s re. "As for what your father left me, he gave it to me willingly. I never tricked him. It was his choice."


    In fact, her grandfather had told her


    more than once that a lot of it actually belonged to her mother. He''d just managed it for her until the time was right, and after he gave it


    to Calliope, she''d built what she had with her own resources.


    belongs to s


    She''d never deceived him. It was his gift, his will. There was no way she''d hand it over to the Jewell family.


    They didn''t deserve it. When her grandfather was living quietly outin the country, none of them came to visit when he was sick they didn''t bother to check in. But now, In But now,


    suddenly, they wanted his estate?  s


    What a joke!


    "Kermit would never have given that to you," Monty spat. "You''re not even a real Jewell. You must''ve conned him!"


    "You twisted his mind!" Valerian added, furious.


    Monty jabbed a finger at her. "Calliope, hand everything over, or we''ll make sure you regret it!"


    Calliope''s voice was ice-cold. "Not a


    single cent. That was my


    grandfather''s gift. Did any of you


    ever care about him when he wa alive? And now you want his money?


    Don''t you think that''s a little O


    pathetic?”  s