Ste bit down hard, the sh of regret and resentment in her eyes gone in an instant.


    She knew that with Remington here now, she''d lost any chance of doing anything to Lizetta.


    She turned, facing Remington.


    He stood tall and imposing, every inch exuding an intimidating authority that made the crowd at the door instinctively step back and give him space.


    Remington strode inside, and Ste, holding Ron in her arms, hurried up to him.


    "Remington, what are you doing here?" she asked, her expression feigning astonishment.


    Remington didn''t even nce at her. He walked straight past, heading for Lizetta.


    He''d juste from the doctor''s office-right after he stepped into the hallway to take a call from Cedric, all hell had apparently broken loose.


    "Are you alright?" Remington asked gently, reaching for Lizetta''s hand as he stopped by her side.


    Lizetta shook her head. “I''m fine. But these two officers have been misled—they''re convinced I tried to kidnap Ron.”


    Her voice dripped with sarcasm. Remington slipped his arm around her waist and turned to the officers.


    "I''ve already exined," he said, his tone calm butmanding. "I was with her-l drove my girlfriend here myself. So if you think she''s a suspect, I suppose I must be one too?"


    The officers didn''t know who Remington was, but the way he carried himself—and the authority in his words-made it clear he wasn''t someone to be trifled with.


    Neither dared make a move. One of them turned to Ste.


    "Ms. West, you called this gentleman by name just now. Do you know each other?" The officer remembered Ste addressing the man as "Remington." He wasn''t sure who exactly this was, but the name sent a jolt of anxiety through him.


    Ste pinched her fingertips, then stepped forward, speaking quickly to Remington.


    “Remington, Ldidn''t know you were here. Anna told me Lizetta suddenly ran out and grabbed Ron. I know Liz has always misunderstood me, and she never liked Ron''s mother, Eve, the day Ron was


    born...


    paused, forcing tears


    into her voice. "I was just so worried about Ron. I panicked, afraid Lizetta might do something


    reckless—something we''d all regret so I called the police. I''m sorry, I misunderstood everything."


    She turned to the officers. "It was my mistake. I want to withdraw theint. Sorry for the trouble."


    Ste had rehearsed this; if the


    police could take Lizetta away, great.


    If not, she still looked like the


    concerned, anxious mother in front of Remington. Her reason for calling was perfectly sound after all, Ron''s birth had kept Remington from being there for Lizetta, and Lizetta had lost her own child. It made sense for Lizetta to resent Ron, perhaps even want to harm him. That subtle reminder of what had happened that night? It was a win-win.


    Or rather, a win-win-win.


    The officers, seeing her drop theint, nodded and turned to leave.


    But Remington''s voice stopped them cold. "Hold on."


    They froze, turning back to face him.


    Remington''s tone was even, but icy. "You''re not going to take in the person who filed


    a false report and give her a little lesson?"


    The officers hesitated, ncing at Ste.


    Ste, caught off guard, immediately


    looked stricken and flustered. She


    waved her hands. "No, I swear, ↓


    didn''t file a false report! I really thought something terrible was happening, I—"


    Remington cut her off, addressing the officers. "Which precinct are you from?


    Haven''t you figured out whether this is a false report or not? Do I need to call your chief myself to rify?"