"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 the company. Once they found out, she was gone."

Lisette frowned, glancing up from her computer. "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 replaced 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 glared at her, voice sharp. “Dad called me in. Why are you playing games in here?"

Calliope looked up from a stack of files, calm and collected. Franco, the company's legal advisor, stood nearby, quietly observing.

"I don't know if your dad called you," Calliope said, twirling a pen between her fingers, "but I asked 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 glanced at Franco. He nudged a shiny brass nameplate forward on the desk.

"Lisette, see for yourself," Franco said, pointing to the nameplate: "Chairman, Calliope Jewell." He looked at Lisette, eyebrows raised. "Can't you read?"

Lisette stared at the engraved letters. Shock twisted her features. For a moment, she was sure she'd read it wrong. She blinked, retreating a step.

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

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

Just then, Monty came in through the door, his expression cool and unreadable. He glanced at Lisette and said in a flat tone, “Oh, Lisette, you're here too."