The man''s voice was cold andmanding, causing the two officers to exchange uneasy nces.


    They had their own opinions, of course. From Ste''s frantic call to the police to her sudden withdrawal of theint, the whole episode reeked of recklessness. There was no mistaking it—she was clearly targeting the elegant young woman standing before them, making their entire visit feel like a farce.


    But it was also obvious, at least to experienced officers like them, that Ste had made a false report. Still, the West family was no ordinary household-and certainly not one they could afford to offend.


    So they swallowed their frustration. Just as one officer was about to dismiss the incident as a misunderstanding, his partner quickly tugged his sleeve and whispered something in his ear.


    The first officer''s expression shifted. He stole a wary nce at Remington, then immediately changed his tone.


    "Mr. Dashiell is right. Filing a false police report is a serious matter, and we''ll need to bring Ms. West in for questioning."


    He addressed Remington as "Mr. Dashiell" now-clearly, his partner had just clued him in on Remington''s true identity.


    Turning to Ste, they said, "Ms. West, pleasee with us."


    Just like that, the tables had turned. Ste was now the one about to be escorted out, just as they''d treated Lizetta moments before.


    Ste''s face drained of color, and the wound on her forehead started throbbing painfully. She pressed a hand against her brow. "I wasn''t lying! My nephew was snatched off the street, and Anna told me that Lizetta didn''t even say a word-she just grabbed the child and drove off! I panicked and called the police! Anna, please, tell them what happened!"


    She reached back to clutch Anna, who hurried forward to exin.


    "Yes, yes, it''s true. Miss Ste was just worried about little Ron. It''s my fault-I


    forgot to mention that Mr. Dashiell was with Lizetta at the time.”


    Ste looked at Remington, her hand slipping from her forehead as blood began to seep through the bandage, making her look even more pitiful.


    "Remington, I was only worried


    about Ron. Maybe I overreacted, but I.didn''t do anything to hurt Lizetta. Do you really have to treat me like this?" .


    Tears welled in her eyes, but Remington was unmoved. He replied coldly, "Enough. If you really cared about Ron, you wouldn''t have left him crying nonstop."


    Ever since the officers stormed in, Ron had been terrified, sobbing and wailing without pause.


    Now, in Anna''s arms, the toddler reached out for Lizetta, his chubby face streaked with tears.


    Ste hesitated, then moved to take Ron, but he iled and squirmed, identally pping both Ste and Anna across the face with his tiny hands.


    "That''s enough, Ms. West. Pleasee with us," one officer said, stepping forward and taking Ste by the arm.


    Normally, they wouldn''t dare cross the West family, but with Remington backing them, things were different.


    As Ste wasted away, she realized Remington wasn''t going to let her off the hook. She called out to Anna in desperation "It was just a misunderstanding Anna can vouca for me! Ask her! She knows I didn''t mean to file a false report


    Anna started to step forward, but Lizetta suddenly strode over and reached out for Ron.


    Ron clearly adored Lizetta. The moment she drew near, his cries quieted, and he leaned into her arms.


    Lizetta scooped him up with practiced ease, shooting Anna a sharp, icy re. Anna recoiled, startled by the intensity of Lizetta''s gaze, and instinctively let go.


    With Ron safely in her arms, Lizetta looked straight at the officers and said, "Officers, I''d like to file a report as well."