As Anna spoke, she stepped forward, intent on prying Ron from Lizetta''s arms. But Ron, sharp as a tack, swatted her hands away with a flurry of little fists, then promptly buried his face in the crook of Lizetta''s neck, turning his head away with all


    his might.


    His small arms clung tightly around Lizetta''s neck, refusing to let go.


    The boy''s reactionnded like a p across Anna''s face. Her expression stiffened, a sh of anger darting through her eyes.


    Almost by instinct, she reached out again, ready to yank Ron away by force-but Remington seized her wrist in a punishing grip.


    "Trying toy a hand on him right in front of me? Who do you think you are?"


    He tightened his hold, and Anna yelped in pain, dropping to her knees as if her arm might snap.


    "Please, Mr. Dashiell-spare me, I—"


    "Have you ever abused this child?" Remington''s voice was low and cold, each word cutting like ice. Anna met his re, sharp as a de, and realized that confessing now might be her only chance to get out alive.


    If she tried to lie and got caught, things would only get worse.


    After all, the truth always had a way ofing out.


    Anna''s voice cracked as she sobbed, begging for mercy.


    “Mr. Dashiell, I was wrong, I shouldn''t have taken out my frustrations on Ron. I admit it, I did—"


    Anna confessed to abusing Ron right there in front of the police. Ste''s face turned cold in an instant.


    She couldn''t believe Anna caved so easily, without a hint of backbone.


    Furious and stunned, Ste stormed up to Anna and pped her hard across the face, sending her sprawling to the floor.


    "Say that again!" Ste shouted, her voice trembling with rage. "The West family has treated you more than fairly. Your sry was three, four times higher than other nannies-so you''d take extra care of Ron And show yo


    this repay us? You''re despicable! I''ll see you prosecuted for this!"


    She whirled toward the officers, her voice ringing with indignation.


    “I never imagined she could be capable of something like this! Please, arrest her!


    The West family won''t let this go."


    Tears brimming in her eyes, Ste turned to Remington.


    "Remington, you have to believe me. I had no idea this was happening. You know my health''s never been good-I can''t always look after Ron myself. I trusted the people around me too much Anna always seemed honest and reliable. I never suspected she could do such a thing. It''s horrible. But I truly didn''t know anything about this. How could I possibly have hurt Ron? He''s my own nephew."


    She reached out, sobbing, to grab Remington''s sleeve.


    "Remington, you know what I''ve suffered. I can''t have children of my own anymore, and I''ve always treated Ron like my own son. If anything happened to him, it would break my heart, I—"


    But before Ste''s hand could touch him, Lizetta yanked Remington away, stepping aside with him.


    With a coldugh, Lizetta cut through Ste''s theatrics.


    "You care about Ron? Ste, if you really cared about him, shouldn''t your first thought be to check on his condition? Instead, all you''ve done is put on a show for the police and my boyfriend, no less. Do you really take us all for fools, letting you pull the wool over our eyes?"