Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Stella finally relaxed, sinking back into her hospital bed.

She turned her face towards Remington, a pale smile of comfort gracing her lips before she slowly closed her eyes.

Remington caught the doctor's eye with a quick glance. The doctor immediately stepped forward to administer Stella's treatment, her eyelids quickly becoming unbearably heavy. Before slipping into unconsciousness, she heard a man's voice, "You'll be back with your family soon, while my bride is still waiting for me. Sorry, I can't stay with you anymore." Stella wanted to grasp tightly, but she soon fell into darkness.

Remington let go of Stella's hand as the ambulance came to a halt, and he jumped out.

The Maybach, racing alongside the ambulance, also screeched to a stop. Unnoticed, fine snowflakes had begun to fall from the sky.

Cedric opened the rear car door, holding an umbrella as he stepped forward to greet, "Boss, your suit is in the car." This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.

Before he could finish, Remington pushed away the umbrella and strode to the driver's seat, yanking the door open.

"Out!"

Christ in the driver's seat paused, and then realizing Remington intended to drive himself, hurriedly got out.

Bending quickly to enter, Remington didn't wait for Christ to steady himself before the Maybach, like a bolt of black lightning, tore through the curtain of snow and sped away. Lizetta stood in the reception area of the banquet hall, spotting Evelina dressed in a sleek black satin gown. Lizetta frowned slightly,

utterly irritated. Yet, Evelina approached with a smile. "Sis, congratulations are truly in order. But where's the groom? One might think you're marrying Lucian instead. You two do seem quite a match."

Yolanda stepped forward, annoyed, "Evelina, it's a miracle you've lived this long without getting smacked."

Lucian scoffed, raising an eyebrow, "Perhaps she'll end up dead in the streets by tomorrow."

The two's banter left Evelina with a noticeably sour face.

Lizetta looked coldly at Evelina, "I didn't invite you. It'd be best if you left now, before I call security to escort you out."

Evelina smirked again, "You might not have invited me, but the Dashiell family invited my in-laws. I'm representing the West family here."

"Oh, and when did you marry into the West family? News to everyone. Your skin is as thick as a wall."

Yolanda, disgusted, was about to take matters into her own hands.

Evelina quickly stepped back, "I'm a guest; you're all being incredibly rude. And I even brought a gift."

She thrust a box into Lizetta's hands, whispering as she leaned in close, "Did you really think Remington was just away on business, Sis? I'm saving you the trouble and tell you, he went to pick up Stella himself."

Lizetta stiffened. Her face turned ashen in an instant.

She staggered back, dropping the box Evelina had pushed into her hands. The box opened on impact, two jade folding fans inside shattering on the ground.

"No! Sis, I came to congratulate you with good intentions, and you've gone and broken my gift. That's just too much," Evelina's voice suddenly rose, her eyes reddening, drawing everyone's attention. "Liz, Liz are you okay? What did she just say?"

Yolanda saw Lizetta standing there, dazed, her complexion almost translucent, and immediately forgot about Evelina, her concern evident.

She took Lizetta's trembling hands, which were colder than ice.

For a moment, Lizetta saw nothing but blurs. All she could hear was Evelina's spiteful voice.

He wasn't on a business trip; he went to fetch Stella himself!

That was why. It all made sense now.

"Lizetta," she cried to herself, "how could you be so naive? How did you not see this coming?"