Ever since Lizetta returned to the Madden family, her rtionship with her parents had grown distant and lukewarm. She had already stolen away their affection.


    But Andrea was determined not to lose anywhere else. Sooner orter, she would reim everything that was taken from her.


    With that thought, the chill in Andrea''s heart faded. Pressing a hand to her face, she spoke up, "Mr. Dashiell, this is an internal matter among Madden Media employees. Isn''t it a bit much for you to interfere, and even condone Lizetta attacking others?"


    Remington didn''t spare Andrea a single nce, nor did he bother to respond to her foolish usation.


    Instead, he released Lizetta''s hand and addressed her directly. "Ms. Madden, I''m here to discuss the Starlight Group''s annual g with you. Do you have some time now?"


    Lizetta had no interest in dealing with Andrea any longer. She gave Remington a nod. "Of course. Let''s talk in the lounge."


    She raised her hand, but inwardly, she was faintly touched. She knew Remington''s excuse about the annual g was just that—a cover. He must have heard about those videos and rumors being spread online, and hade all this way out of concern for her.


    "All right," Remington replied, his gentle gaze never leaving her, the very picture of someone willing to do whatever she asked, without hesitation.


    The two of them strode off together, treating Laura and Andrea as if they were invisible.


    Andrea, unwilling to give up, took a step forward and nudged Laura ahead with her. "Remington, if you''re here to talk about the Starlight Group''s annual g, you should be discussing it with me. The manager just assigned this project to me. Isn''t that right, Mrs. Laura?"


    She prodded Laura, giving her a meaningful look.


    Remington stopped in his tracks and turned his head sharply toward Andrea. “What did you just call me?" His voice was cold, tinged with confusion.


    Andrea had called him "Remington" once already, but he''d been preupied with Lizetta and let it slide. Now she was at it again.


    "Remington, Andrea smiled


    sweetly, tilting her head in a show of gentleness. She wanted to exin that she''d acknowledged Lizetta''s biological father as her godfather, making her the adopted daughter of Lizetta''s parents. By that logic, calling him "Remington" wasn''t out of line.


    But before she could voice her reasoning, Remington cut her off, his tone icy. "I don''t have a sister like you. Stop making up connections. If I hear you call me that again, I''ll tear your tongue out."


    There was no room for dignity left in his words—especially thatst threat, which sounded like a joke but Andrea knew he was more than capable of carrying out.


    Her face nched, and she snapped her mouth shut.


    Laura instinctively took two steps back, not daring to say another word.


    But even after they fell silent, Remington didn''t leave.


    Instead, he led Lizetta to the sofa and sat down, crossing his legs. “Mrs. Laura, go ahead and call your Chairman Porter."


    Laura started, frowning. "Mr. Dashiell, what''s the meaning of this?"


    Remington''s gaze was steady. "I just want to ask her if she looks down on the


    Starlight Group, or if there''s some other reason she allows her staff to randomly change project leads."


    Lizetta nodded. "I''d like to ask Chairman Porter about that myself. Mrs. Laura, please make the call."


    Laura broke out in a cold sweat.


    Of course she knew what was going on-she and Andrea had no leg to stand on, and now Remington was here, obviously to back Lizetta up if Eartha showed up, things would really blow up. Then Eartha would me her for mishandling the situation and making a mess.


    Immediately, Laura bent at the waist and forced a smile. "It''s not like that, Mr. Dashiell, you misunderstand. We would never dare disrespect the Starlight Group or you. Besides, Lizetta is the Madden family''s eldest daughter-no one would dare take a project away from her. It''s just that there have been some nasty rumors ircting in the office fately, and I'' was worried she''d be upset if she heard them. I thought it would be better for her to take a few days off until things calmed down, that''s all."