Remington''s eyes flicked to Laura, noticing the sweat beading on her forehead and the way her gaze darted nervously. He spoke, his tone cool and detached.


    "And you are?"


    Laura hurried to introduce herself, offering her hand. “I''m Laura, head of the project management division at Madden Media. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Dashiell."


    He didn''t so much as nce at her outstretched hand. His eyelids lifted fractionally, “So, Mrs. Laura, what was this project you mentioned? Who''s supposedly stealing what?"


    His gaze lingered on both Laura and Andrea, a glint of knowing in his eyes.


    Even though Remington had only caught the tail end of Andrea''s words to Lizetta, it was enough for him to piece together the situation. Lizetta was the newest hire, barely a few days in, and the only project she could possibly be handling was the Starlight Group ount.


    He''d rushed over the moment he heard from Cedric that wild rumors were spreading throughpany chat groups all over Zion City-gossip messy enough to damage reputations. His first concern was whether the same poison had leaked into Madden Media. That''s why he''d shown up so quickly.


    What he hadn''t expected was to walk in on Andrea trying to snatch the project right out from under Lizetta''s nose.


    “Ah, Mr. Dashiell, I think you''ve misunderstood," Laura said, withdrawing her hand awkwardly. “There''s no such thing as ‘stealing'' a project here.”


    Andrea''s expression soured. Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke, her voice trembling just enough. "Remington, Mrs. Laura only meant to spare Liz from overwork—that''s why she asked me to take on the project for a couple of days, so Liz could get some rest. Liz misread our intentions. She just came in and hit me, and I—well, I only said a few things in the heat of the moment, like any sisters might."


    Lizetta arched a brow, her lips curling in thinly veiled disgust at Andrea''s syrupy act.


    She''d barely moved when Remington reached for her hand, concern threaded through his voice. "Liz, did you hit her?"


    Andrea''s expression shifted-was that hope lighting her eyes?


    She wanted nothing more than to drive a wedge between Lizetta and Remington. If the Dashiell family, already so powerful in Zion City. formed an alliance with the Maddens, Lizetta would be not just the Madden heiress and first in line for the family business, but also the Dashiell matriarch.


    Andrea seethed. Lizetta didn''t deserve even one of those titles-let alone both.


    Remington, meanwhile, turned


    Lizetta''s hand over gently, inspecting her palm. "Did it hurt?" he murmured. "Let me see. It''s all red-you know, if


    you''re going to hit someone with


    skin as thick as hers, you really should use something that''ll do the job."


    He nced around the room, eyesnding on the heavy ss ashtray on the table. "See? There''s an ashtray right there. Honestly, Liz, you''re hopeless."


    Andrea stared at him, incredulous. Was he actually suggesting Lizetta should have hit her with an ashtray?


    Her gaze followed Remington''s,nding on the solid ss object, and suddenly she felt a chill run down her spine.


    Lizetta looked up at Remington and nodded obediently. "Got it. Next time I''ll use the ashtray."


    She cast a nce at Andrea as she spoke.


    Andrea''s fists clenched at her sides, though a flicker of fear sparked in her chest. Was Lizetta really crazy enough to go through with it?


    No, she couldn''t let Lizetta intimidate her. Lizetta had already taken everything from her-Andrea would take it all back whether it was what Lizett? wanted, or what she already had.


    One way or another, Andrea was determined to win the Starlight Group project.