NovelStartAfter 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, | had no idea she'd do something like this. | never thought she'd embezzle
money from the company."
"We haven't treated her badly, have we?" Horamuttered, 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?"
Horagenuinely 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?
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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."
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. Horajust 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 cto 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," Horasaid, 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."
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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! | didn't mean to hurt you guys!"
"| just... | never have enough money. | 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. | promise, I'll
make things right. Please don't worry."
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