"Miss Remington, I had no idea about your rtionship with Mr. Dashiell when I handed you this project. If I''d known, I certainly wouldn''t have put you in this position. Now everyone''s talking, saying such awful things... I''m sorry you''ve had to put up with all this," Laura said, her tone dripping with sympathy.


    Lizetta lifted her gaze, meeting Laura''s eyes. She doubted Laura''s sudden disy of kindness, especially this effort to soothe her.


    "President Laura, if you have something to say, please just say it."


    “Well, it''s just... I imagine there''s been no shortage of chatter in the office about you and Mr. Dashielltely. Maybe it''s best if someone else takes over the annual g project. I was thinking you could take a few days off a little break to clear your head. That way you wouldn''t have to listen to all these rumors. It must be exhausting."


    So that was what all this preamble had been for. Laura wanted her out of the way.


    “Oh? Then tell me, Mrs. Laura—who do you think should be in charge of the Starlight Group''s annual g project?"


    Laura studied Lizetta''s face, searching for any sign of irritation or anger, but Lizetta''s expression was unreadable.


    Laura hesitated. Girls Lizetta''s age were usually still in college. Surely she was struggling with all the nder and gossip-most young women wouldn''t be able to stand it. Lizetta must be secretly miserable, desperate to escape, wishing she could just quit.


    Laura smiled, keeping her tone light. "If I give it to someone else, I doubt you''d feelfortable. Maybe it''s best if it goes to someone you know-keep it in the family, so to speak."


    Lizetta let out a dryugh, already guessing where this was going. Still, she asked, "And who might you mean, Mrs. Laura?”


    "Liz, of course she means me."


    At that moment, the office door swung open again.


    Andrea stood in the doorway, grinning as she strolled inside.


    "Liz, just take some time off. Go rx, or sort out this whole mess. I''ll make sure everything with the project is handled perfectly."


    Andrea was quick on the uptake—she''d volunteered herself before Lizetta could even respond.


    Lizetta had never seen anyone try to snatch a project so shamelessly, acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    She smiled faintly. "If I''m not mistaken, aren''t you in the finance department?”


    Andrea nodded. "I am, but finance


    has been pretty quiettely. My godmother thought it''d be good for me to rotate through a few


    departments and pick up some line


    experience. Mrs. Laura''s just


    borrowing me for a while. There''s no reason Lean''t take over the g project."


    Andrea was brimming with self-satisfaction. She''d been plotting sincest night. This was the perfect chance to expose Lizetta Remington as Dashiell''s ex wife, let the rumors swallow her whole, and seize the project for herself. If things went well, maybe she could even force Lizetta out of thepany altogether.


    "I see..."


    Lizetta nodded, still smiling.


    Laura and Andrea exchanged a quick, triumphant nce, convinced Lizetta was about to agree.


    But in the next moment, Lizetta stood up abruptly. Without warning, she raised her hand and pped Andrea hard across the face.


    Andrea was stunned, frozen in ce.


    Laura stared, wide-eyed in shock. She''d always thought Lizetta was mild, almost meek-who knew she could be so direct?


    Snapping out of it, Laura mmed her hand on the desk and rose to her feet. “Lizetta! This is a workce—what do you think you''re doing?!"


    Her words had barely left her mouth


    when the office door was flung open still fuming, red


    yet again. Laur


    at the neer. "What is it!?


    Haven''t you ever heard of knocking?"


    Snow stood at the threshold, looking pale and anxious, as if she''d already been


    through a shock. Laura''s outburst made her stammer even more.


    "Mrs. Laura... um, it''s just... someone''s here!"