A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

After flipping through the documents, Horatio's expression darkened as he handed the folder over to Valerian.

Both men read in silence, their faces growing more troubled with every line. Instinctively, they glanced at Monty.

Monty just shrugged. "Honestly, I had no idea she'd do something like this. I never thought she'd embezzle money from the company."

"We haven't treated her badly, have we?" Horatio muttered, still frowning.

He shook his head, baffled. "We've given her everything she ever wanted, even a share in the company. Why would she do this?"

Horatio genuinely couldn't wrap his head around it. In his mind, they'd always treated Lisette like family, maybe even better than family. The thought that Lisette would use her position to siphon money from the company blindsided him.

Had they just trusted her too much? Was that why she'd felt so bold, so untouchable? She always claimed everything she did was for the good of the company. But who steals from a business they care about?

Valerian, meanwhile, looked just as conflicted. He'd always adored Lisette. Honestly, maybe even more than as just a sister. He'd always been her biggest supporter. Now, he just felt betrayed.

"Why would she do this?" Valerian asked quietly.

Calliope let out a dry laugh. "Because you spoiled her rotten, but you couldn't give her everything, so she started taking for herself."noveldrama

She didn't even look up from her laptop. "You guys really had no idea what she was up to under your noses? Impressive."

Valerian felt like something inside him had cracked. Horatio just stared in disbelief. Neither brother wanted to admit it, but the truth was staring them in the face. Lisette, their adopted sister, the girl they'd treated better than anyone else, had stabbed them in the back.

Monty just let out a heavy sigh. "How did it come to this? We did everything for her, and this is how she pays us back."

"That's exactly the problem,"

Calliope cut in, rolling her eyes. "You pampered her so much she forgot what gratitude is. That's the 'perfect daughter' you're always bragging about... the 'amazing sister

She looked at them, almost amused. "Who knows? Maybe in a few days you'll be back to singing her praises. You guys always did have a soft spot for her."

"No way," Horatio said, shaking his head emphatically. He scowled. "We shouldn't have spoiled her so much. Maybe we should've been tougher."

Calliope shot him a skeptical glance. "Really? She sheds a few tears and you'll be back to defending her in no time."

"Absolutely not," Valerian said, jaw tight.

Calliope just shrugged. "Look, it's your family mess. You do what you want. I've got work to do."

She turned back to her laptop. "Please shut the door on your way out."

The three of them left the office in silence, their thoughts heavy, and made their way to Lisette's office.

When Lisette looked up and saw them, her expression immediately turned anxious.

"Lisette, why'd you do it?" Monty asked, his voice strained. "We gave you everything you needed. There was never anything you lacked. Why would you steal from the company?"

Horatio's disappointment was obvious. "Lisette, this is way out of line. Was everything you said to us fake?"

Lisette shook her head frantically. "No, no! Please, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you guys!"

"I just... I never have enough money. I wanted to buy gifts for you, to surprise you,

to make you happy. But my salary just didn't cut it!"

"But I've always worked hard for the company. Please, don't be mad! K make up for what I took. I promise, I'll make things right. Please don't worry."