Lizetta lifted her head, surprise flickering in her eyes as she looked at him.


    "What do you mean? Are you saying Martin would get angry and scold Ste?"


    Remington''s lips curled into a faint, wry smile. "He might do more than just scold her."


    Lizetta sat up from Remington''s embrace, frowning.


    "That can''t be right. The West family might not be as powerful as the Dashiell Group, but losing two major contracts isn''t enough to break them. Besides, Ste is the daughter they searched for all these years—their long-lost treasure, the only daughter Martin has left. There''s no way he''dsh out at her just because they lost a couple of deals, is there?"


    Since Ste was found, Martin had spoiled his daughter rotten.


    At several charity auctions, he''d spent a fortune buying her gifts-some of which evennded them in the society pages. He took her to every major event, always keeping her close. In Zion City, everyone knew Ste was Martin''s beloved girl.


    Even when Barbara Daisynes West ended up taking her own life after helping Ste cover up a crime, Martin hadn''t done anything to Ste in retaliation.


    So why would he suddenly turn on her now over two business deals? To Lizetta, it didn''t add up.


    Remington pinched her cheek gently. “True, everyone in Zion City knows how much Martin dotes on Ste. But don''t you think that''s a little... odd?"


    Lizetta hadn''t thought much of it before, but Remington''s words made her pause.


    "You''re right. Ste disappeared for years after being kidnapped. Now that she''s back, wouldn''t Martin be worried sick about her safety? Wouldn''t he be extra cautious, afraid it could happen again?"


    Most kids who''ve been abducted end up traumatized. Even if theye home safely, their families usually keep them out of the public eye, protect them fiercely.


    Remington was living proof-after he was found, the Dashiell family kept everything low-key. To this day, there isn''t a single high-res photo of him online. He''s practically a ghost.


    "But the way Martin unts his love for Ste...it almost feels like he''s putting on a show," Lizetta mused.


    Remington''s lips curled upward as he stroked her cheek.


    "My future Mrs. Dashiell is sharp as ever. Martin''s getting old. Quentin left a child behind, but Ron is still far too young, and Martin''s health is failing If he truly wanted to make it


    ''t he be he be


    up to Ste, would the family


    grooming her to take


    business? Teaching her finance and management, taking her to board


    meetings, preparing her to run


    things?"


    Lizetta nodded. "Exactly. Take me, for example. The moment I came home, Grandpa transferred ten percent of the Madden Group shares to me no matter what anyone else thought. Even while I was still recovering, he dragged me topany headquarters several times-said he wanted me to get used to the ce and ''clear my head at my ownpany. He takes me to every gathering with his old friends, and this time, he''s insisting I gain experience at Madden Group headquarters."


    But Martin''s way of "spoiling" Ste seemed different. He showered her with jewelry, designer clothes, and luxury gadgets, sure. But no one had ever heard of Ste owning a single share in the West family''s business.


    It was strange but maybe Martin


    had written her into his will, keeping things secret for now to avoid


    diluting his own control. After all,


    Ste had been gone for years, she


    didn''t know the business and could easily be manipted.


    Remington traced the crease between her brows, his tone yful. "So why did you reallye back to Zion City, Liz? Was it because you couldn''t bear to be away from me?"


    Lizetta rolled her eyes at him. "Don''t tter yourself. I came back because Ynda was in trouble."


    "Just for that?"


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!