Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Liz recognized the young starlet as the one who had been shadowing Stella, lavishing her with the most compliments earlier. Seeing how frightened she was, Liz didn't want to make the situation any worse. She attempted to retract the leg that had been grabbed, about to tell her it was okay to get up, but the starlet, thinking Liz wouldn't forgive her, suddenly changed her tone, and it took a turn for the worse.

"Sob sob, I understand now, Mr. Dashiell truly loves Ms. Gardenia. Only Ms. Gardenia is the woman Mr. Dashiell cares about and cherishes. Those ugly rumors were just concocted by people jealous of Ms. Gardenia. Mr. Dashiell's heart belongs solely to Ms. Gardenia; he doesn't care about their foolish fantasies, I..."

The young starlet was clearly very nervous, her voice growing louder and louder.

Stella's face went from pale to flushed in an instant, feeling as though everyone was looking at her with scorn and disdain. All this talk of foolish fantasies and jealousy towards Liz... It was all directed at her. Stella clenched her fists, feeling utterly humiliated. Damn this opportunist!

"Enough, stop talking."

Liz, after a moment of stunned silence, also felt incredibly awkward, her ears turning red. But just as the young starlet stopped talking, Remington, with a slight curl of his lips, said, "Why stop her? It sounds like she's sincerely apologizing. Let her speak her mind."

Liz, "..."

Remington then turned to the young starlet, a subtle lift of his lips indicating, "You seem smart, go on, stand up and speak."

Although he was expressionless, he could still be considered pleasant. Obviously, he was very pleased with the young starlet's speech.

And as other women saw the young starlet being praised, they seemed to have an epiphany and rushed forward. They began to bow and say nice things to Liz and Yolanda, all along similar lines. "Mr. Dashiell truly adores Ms. Gardenia."

"Ms. Gardenia and Mr. Dashiell are the true love story. Even now, after the divorce, it was only because of meddlers with ill intentions. They're bound to reconcile and live happily ever after."

...

Their chatter was overwhelming, and Liz, feeling a headache coming on, listened in disbelief, as did Yolanda, who couldn't understand how things had taken such a turn. Was Remington shameless, recruiting spokespersons right here and now?

Stella felt her cheeks burning, wanting to turn and leave, but was blocked by a bodyguard. Only Remington seemed pleased, enjoying the show, almost wishing someone could record it to play back for Liz.

Liz glared at him, and only then did Remington slightly temper his expression, spreading his hands in a gesture of innocence. "They insisted on apologizing. I didn't say a word, nor did I incite them."

Liz had had enough. She had no real issue with these women and quickly said, "You all should leave."

Immediately, the women scattered

as if pardoned, not sparing Stella

and Margaret another thought, leaving the room in pristine emptiness. Now, only the two main culprits remained. Without their entourage, Stella and Margaret

didn't feel any more comfortable; if

anything, the pressure was even greater.

Remington's gaze swept over them, "Have you two thought about how you're going to apologize?"

"I... Remington, I... didn't say

anything too harsh just now. AfterThis belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.

what Liz did to me at the West

family estate, seeing her just got me worked up, and we exchanged a few harsh words. I can bow and apologize, but compared to what she did to me, what does that even

count for? Even if we were to kneel and apologize, shouldn't it be mutual?"

ve

Stella was desperately trying to defend herself, her voice filled with grievance. And by bringing up Liz's previous confrontation, it was also a warning. After all, that was nearly attempted murder, a serious offense, and she had merely mocked Liz a bit in comparison. Was Remington really going to push her, unaware that the West family might still have evidence?