Andrea nced at Lizetta''s pale face, feeling a surge of satisfaction that she barely tried to hide.


    Feigning concern, she leaned over and asked, “Liz, are you alright? Really, I''m just looking out for you. Everyone knows Mr. Dashiell and Ms. West are meant to be. Why insist on getting involved and making things messy for yourself?"


    Lizetta handed Andrea''s phone back. "Wipe that smug look off your face. Who knows, maybe I''d actually believe your nonsense if you tried harder.”


    Andrea took the phone, putting on an air of wounded innocence. “Liz, you''ve got me all wrong. I really am just trying to help. Speaking of which, the Porter family has a couple of handsome cousins with great reputations. Want me to introduce you?"


    She was talking about Eartha Porter Madden''s sons-men whose names Lizetta knew all too well. One was constantly making the gossip pages, while the other had a well-earned reputation for violence and was a regr at the police station. Only the Porter family''s wealth and connections kept them out of real trouble.


    Lizetta shot Andrea a sideways look. "Why don''t you save those cousins for yourself? With your... uniquely charming personality, I''d worry the Porter family might kick you out before long. Better marry in while you still can. Good luck."


    She punctuated the jab with a patronizing pat on Andrea''s shoulder. Right then, the elevator doors slid open. Lizetta strode out without looking back, leaving Andrea fuming, gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. She stamped her foot in frustration, and when the elevator wobbled slightly, her face went ashen-she hurried out after Lizetta.


    They''d barely stepped into the office when they overheard the front desk staff, Snow and Lilian, chatting animatedly about thetest gossip.


    "That ex-wife is such a mystery. She''s done all these terrible things, but no one''s ever managed to dig up her identity!"


    "No surprise there," Lilian replied. "Mr. Dashiell never liked her. He probably couldn''t stand her, which is why he kept the marriage secret. With the Dashiell family''s influence in Zion City, covering something like this up would be child''s y. I bet they just wanted to avoid embarrassment."


    Snow sped her hands beneath


    her chin, dreamy-eyed. "Oh, but what if the real reason is that Mr. Dashiell doesn''t want anyone else


    associated with the title Mne


    Dashiell Maybe he wants everyone to think of Ms. West whenever they hear it-that would be so romantic!"


    "Exactly!” Lilian gushed. "That has to be it. It''s just so sweet. Honestly, that ex-Mrs. Dashiell is a total joke."


    As the two gossiped away, Lizetta didn''t break stride, walking past as if she were just another passerby not the very woman they were talking about.


    Andrea hurried after her, hoping to catch Lizetta''s reaction to the cruel


    chatter. But Lizetta remained


    irritated Andrea further.


    She raised her voice, trying to sound authoritative. "What do you two know? You can''t trust every rumor you hear!"


    Then she turned to Lizetta, trying to rope her in. "Right, Liz? Gossip is the least reliable thing in the world."


    Snow and Lilian, not to be outdone, whipped out their phones as proof. "These aren''t just rumors we''ve got photos and everything."


    They pulled up a few saved pictures and showed them to Andrea, who nearly shoved the phone in Lizetta''s face.


    "Look, Liz-see how in love they look? Who would''ve thought Mr. Dashiell could be like this?"


    Andrea leaned in, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. “Honestly, I feel bad for you. Why put yourself through this?"