"Who was it? Can''t even get your words straight-what''s the point of keeping you at the front desk?"


    Suddenly, Lizetta lost her temper and pped Andrea across the face.


    Laura was already simmering with frustration, worried about how she''d exin everything to Eartha. Now Snow barged in, babbling incoherently, and Laura''s anger shifted squarely to her.


    Startled, Snow shrank back. Meanwhile, Andrea, stunned by the p, finally snapped out of her daze.


    She red at Lizetta, her shock giving way to fury. "You hit me! We''re at work, and you darey hands on me? Lizetta, that project was assigned to me because thepany—and Mrs. Laura, in particr-wanted to take the pressure off you. This was a management decision. Taking your anger out on me ispletely out of line!" Gone was the innocent, harmless act-Andrea''s eyes zed.


    Lizetta snorted. "I hit you because you''re conniving. Spare me the self-righteous speeches. You and I both know what''s really going on here."


    She turned to Laura. “Mrs. Laura, is taking this project from me your idea, or is it something Chairman Porter wants? If it''s the Chairman, then she should tell me herself."


    No one was going to steal her work so easily.


    With that, Lizetta started toward the door.


    But Andrea lunged, grabbing her arm, her expression icy.


    "Don''t drag my mother into this. This is just a department decision. I wasn''t trying to start a fight, and if you disagreed, I wouldn''t have pushed. But Lizetta, since you pped me, I''m not going to let this go. This project? You''re handing it over-today, whether you like it or not. I''m taking it, and there''s nothing you can do.”


    Andrea lifted her chin, voice sharp with threat.


    Before Lizetta could answer, Andrea''s expression twisted, and she suddenly swung her hand in an attempt to p Lizetta back.


    Startled, Lizetta instinctively raised her arm to block and turned her head aside.


    But Andrea''s hand nevernded.


    Instead


    sharp cry rang out. Andrea


    stumbled, clutching her Wands


    released her grip on Lizetta. >


    Puzzled, Lizetta turned and saw a familiar, chiseled face: Remington.


    She gasped, "What are you doing here?"


    "Are you alright?" Remington''s deep voice ovepped with hers.


    Lizetta shook her head. She was fine-unlike Andrea, who was clearly not.


    off her


    Remington must have pulled Andrea little too forcefully, and with Andrea tottering in her narrow high heels, it didn''t end well content >


    Andrea crashed to the floor, looking utterly humiliated.


    Outside the office, a few employees peeked in, eyes wide.


    Laura''s face went pale. She hurried over, shooed the onlookers away, shut the door, and even yanked down the blinds.


    Then she rushed to help Andrea to her feet, shooting a wary look at the unexpected visitor.


    "Mr. Dashiell? What brings you here?" Laura recognized Remington instantly. Remington looked Lizetta over, head to toe, only rxing when he confirmed she was unharmed. Then he turned his icy gaze on Laura.


    His presence filled the roommanding without a word, cold authority radiating from every inch.


    Here in Zion City, no one dared challenge Remington Dashiell''s authority. Laura''s eyes darted away, her face losing color.


    She''d always assumed that,


    whatever the gossip, Remington and


    Lizetta were over. Why else would a


    marriage end, unless there was nothing left between them? But seeing them now, she wasn''t so sure.