More Than A Favor

Chapter 79

Get 10

I stopped moving as he instructed, but my grip on Ashton tightened instinctively.

My head rested against his chest, and I could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was only then that I realized how close we were, but my fear overrode any embarrassment.

Clinging to him was the only way I could steady myself, convincing my mind that it was just the elevator swaying–not me.

Eventually, the elevator stopped shaking, but I didn’t loosen my hold on Ashton until he said, “Is that your new colleague down there?”

His words snapped me back to reality. I quickly let go of him and turned to see what he was talking about.

What I saw made my blood boil. Without thinking, I pressed the button to descend.

When the elevator doors opened, Selene greeted me with her practiced, saccharine smile. “Ms. Hart,” she said sweetly.

I didn’t bother returning her pleasantries. “What are you doing here?” I demanded, my tone sharp.

I wasn’t trying to be rude, but her presence here was inappropriate, especially given her condition. She was pregnant, for heaven’s sake, and this site was far from safe–unfinished, uninspected, and closed to the public. If something happened to her, the consequences would be catastrophic.

And if that wasn’t enough, her unborn child was already fatherless. That baby deserved protection, not reckless behavior.

Her response, however, left me utterly dumbfounded.

“I’m here for work,” she said, her tone calm and unbothered.

I blinked, certain I’d misheard her. “Excuse me?”

“Mr. Logan asked me to oversee the safety checks,” she repeated, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I nearly exploded on the spot. “Logan must have lost his mind! Are you seriously telling me that he assigned you to handle safety inspections?”

My raised voice drew the attention of nearby workers. Selene wasn’t alone–she had arrived with the project manager, and both Maya and Miles were already present before her arrival.

Selene’s face twisted into an expression of mock hurt, and she replied in a soft voice, “Ms. Hart, why are you reacting this way?”

I

“Because you’re pregnant! You shouldn’t even be here, let

spoke, I pulled out my phone and called Logan.

eternity, and I started to suspect he was ignoring me on purpose. Just as

His

Selene here?” I asked, keeping my voice as

O

work. Didn’t she tell you? Logan replied, as if it

world

glanced at Selene, still looking as though butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, and asked Logan, “Do you think it’s appropriate for her to be here in her condition? Who’s going to take responsibility

would be you, of course,” Logan said

was so shocked I couldn’t even respond at first.

amusement park. That means you’re responsible for ensuring its completion,

underlying message was

as well

let out a bitter laugh. “If someone is determined to throw themselves into

expression faltered, but before she could respond, Logan snapped, “Elaine, don’t

If you’re so concerned, why don’t you remove her from the site? Or…” I

oversee her safety, then

count on it. I’m not as free as you seem to think.” Without giving him a chance to respond, I hung

her voice soft and laced with self–pity. “Ms. Hart, there’s no need to be so adversarial. I can take care

seem perfectly capable. But what happens if the unexpected occurs?”

lips together to keep from laughing at

protect you. While I don’t think round–the–clock surveillance is

1

both new to the team, why don’t you accompany her as she familiarizes herself with the site? That way,

me to involve him.

hierarchy, but on this project, I’m

authority had been granted to me by Logan himself. I hadn’t planned to use it, but now, with the project nearing completion, I decided it was time to exercise

at a loss for words.

“I don’t need a babysitter. I

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