She couldn't help wondering, with Nathan so furious, would he just lose it completely and trash the entire Oakridge Heights estate?

Remington opened the car door, shielding Lizetta as she slid into the passenger seat, before he finally spoke.

"If he wants to smash things, let him. I'll have Cedric take inventory and send him the bill afterward."

Lizetta fell silent for a moment, picturing Nathan's blood pressure skyrocketing when his own son's itemized damages landed on his desk.

Remington circled the hood and got behind the wheel, easing the car onto the road. Lizetta propped her elbow on the window, hiding a small, satisfied smile behind her hand.

Remington glanced over. "Enjoying this a little too much?"

She knew she shouldn't gloat over her elders, but honestly, Lizetta couldn't help herself.

She stifled a laugh and tried to wipe the grin from her lips before turning to him.

"And if I am?"

Nathan had made her life miserable enough times in the past. Now that he was the one stewing in frustration for once, Lizetta couldn't deny it felt rather satisfying— even if it wasn't very polite.

Remington shot her a sidelong look, a rakish smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"As long as it makes you happy."

He'd worried Nathan might ruin her mood with his arrogance, but seeing her like this put his mind at ease.

Lizetta found herself staring at him, gaze lingering and unbroken.

He noticed, of course. After a beat, he gave a helpless little laugh.

"Liz, if you keep looking at me like that, it's dangerous."

He could barely keep the car straight. Honestly, with her looking at him like that, he was sorely tempted to pull over and forget about the road altogether.

“Oh,” Lizetta murmured, finally tearing her eyes away and turning to look out the window.

But in the next instant, Remington hit the brakes, pulling the car sharply to the side of the road.

Before she could react, his hand found her neck, gently guiding her face back toward him. And then his lips were on hers-soft at first, tasting teasing, but carrying and hunger that sent her heart fluttering.

heat

Lizetta's lashes fluttered, caught off guard. Remington didn't linger, though. He drew back quickly, but his warm hand stayed cupped at her neck as he spoke softly.

"Don't let him get to you. You don't have to put up with him anymore. I want you back in my life, and I won't have you suffering because of me-not ever again."

A warmth bloomed in her chest. She nodded.

"I know. I won't let him push me around anymore. But if I end up driving your dad

mad and he comes after you for it, don't get annoyed with me."

Remington just chuckled, ruffling her hair as he finally let go of her neck.

"Annoyed? Not at all. I'll just let Grandma handle him—she's the only one who can put him in his place."

Lizetta laughed quietly. "Honestly, that sounds like a perfect plan."

They shared a smile, and Remington finally pulled the car back onto the road.

Lizetta leaned back in her seat, her mind drifting back to Mr. and Mrs. West. Suddenly, something occurred to her.

"Oh, by the way-one of my former colleagues mentioned her mother's a plastic surgeon. She saw a photo of Stella and said she looked like. she'd had some work done, content

Lizetta glanced over at Remington. "Do you know if Stella's had any procedures done recently?"

Remington had no idea. Sure, he'd

had someone keep an eye on Stella and Martin, but unless the

housekeeper spotted somethingnet

truly out of the ordinary he rarely heard about it. Trips to a beauty clinic barely registered on his radar.

Besides, whether Stella looked better or worse, what did he care?

"Why? Has Stella suddenly gotten prettier lately?" Remington's grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel as he spoke, a hint of caution in his voice.

He couldn't help wondering—was this a trap? Had Stella actually gotten some work done, and was Lizetta testing him to see if he'd noticed?