"Oh? And what sort of rumors are we talking about? If you know it''s all just gossip, shouldn''t you, Mrs. Laura, be more concerned about disciplining the employees who spread it behind people''s backs? Instead, you''re telling the victim to step aside? What''s next—let everyone think Florence Madden is hiding from work out of guilt?" Remington pressed forward relentlessly, and Laura''s face had drained of all color.


    She waved her hands hurriedly. "No! Of course not, I swear I meant well. Now that Mr. Dashiell is on his way, those ridiculous rumors will fall apart, and naturally, it''s only right for Miss Madden to lead the project."


    She immediately pulled Andrea over and said, "I''m sorry for the misunderstanding. We apologize."


    Andrea kept her head down, jaw clenched, eyes burning with resentment she tried to hide.


    But she knew as long as Remington was here, there was no way she was getting the upper hand today.


    With a sniff, she forced herself to speak up as well.


    "Liz, I wasn''t trying to steal the project from you. If you misunderstood, I apologize. I''m sorry."


    "Don''t bother. With an apology that reluctant, I really can''t ept it. Let''s have Mrs. Maddene over and clear the air face-to-face," Lizetta replied coolly.


    Andrea bit down hard on her lip, then bent at the waist and gave Lizetta a deep bow. "Liz, I''m sorry."


    If Eartha actually did show up, she''d probably just scold Andrea and that would be the end of it-pointless, really.


    Lizetta couldn''t be bothered to drag things out any further. She stood up, looking down at Andrea.


    "Next time, try calling me something else. We''re really not that close."


    The words stung, a raw reminder of how Andrea had shamelessly called Remington "big brother" just moments earlier.


    Andrea felt her cheeks re with humiliation all over again, the sting sharp as a p. She nearly ground her teeth to dust.


    But Lizetta was already walking out of Laura''s office with Remington.


    No sooner had they stepped into the hallway than every pair of eyes—some


    sneaking peeks, some staring outright-turned their way.


    Before Lizetta could react,


    Remington smiled and said, "Liz, that''s your desk, right? I see you''ve still got all those little cushions and


    desk omaments gave you. t pieket. I out every single one myself.


    Honestly, I was worried you''d realize who sent them and toss them straight in the trash. But you kept


    them-I''m d."


    As he spoke, Remington''s tall frame instinctively leaned toward her, bowing ever so slightly.


    His words weren''t loud, but in the hush that had fallen over the office, everyone nearby heard them crystal clear.


    On Lizetta''s very first day, a box had arrived for her-filled with thoughtful, practical little things to brighten up her workspace.


    There''d even been a bouquet of roses, which Lizetta had handed out to some of the other women in the office.


    Now, hearing Remington say it, everyone realized—he''d sent those gifts to Lizetta.


    It was obvious: Remington was the


    the


    one making the effort the one.. caring for and pursuing Lizetta, not


    then 3


    way the rumors made it out to be.  ?wnovels


    And Lizetta? She''d given away the roses he sent her without a backward nce—


    almost as if she refused to look back at all.


    Besides, right after Lizetta had been insulted and belittled, Remington had shown up at Madden Media-an unmistakable gesture to clear her name through his actions.


    He was so protective, so attentive—just goes to show, rumors really can be deadly.