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

pregnant! You shouldn’t even be here, let alone involved

out my phone and

what felt like an eternity, and I started to suspect he was

the matter?” His tone

Selene here?” I asked, keeping my voice

O

you? Logan replied, as

world

it’s appropriate for her to be here in her condition? Who’s going

be you, of course,” Logan

was so shocked I couldn’t even respond at

I could recover, Logan continued, “Elaine, you’re the project lead for the amusement park. That means you’re responsible for ensuring its

underlying message

Selene as well to impose

let out a bitter laugh. “If someone

could respond, Logan snapped, “Elaine,

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

her safety, then I’d

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

with self–pity. “Ms. Hart, there’s no need to be so adversarial. I

you seem perfectly capable. But what happens if the unexpected

standing nearby, pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at my remark.

also instructed me to assign someone to protect you. While I don’t think round–the–clock surveillance is necessary, I do think some supervision is

1

and Ms. Vaughn are both new to the team, why don’t you accompany her as she familiarizes herself with the site? That way, you can also ensure her

to involve

be my superior in the corporate hierarchy, but on this project, I’m in charge.

it, but now, with the project nearing completion, I decided it was

a loss for

don’t need

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