Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Barbara lifted her gaze to meet Lizetta's clouded eyes, which were unfocused and murky, unsettlingly so.

Lizetta, harboring her venomous thoughts, shuddered instinctively.

Remington's hand, initially resting on Lizetta's wrist, slid down to grasp her hand firmly.

At the same time, the man, growing impatient, lifted his foot and slammed his polished Iridia leather shoe onto Ralap's knee.

Ralap twisted in pain, his body shaking. He looked up, reached out desperately to grab Barbara, and cried out with a hoarse voice.

"I was just doing what you told me, bringing people abroad to get rid of Mrs. Dashiell! You're the mastermind! You are!"

Barbara, though blind to the sight, could smell the strong scent of blood and feel its sticky presence.

She could only imagine what Ralap looked like now.

Her face showed a mix of horror and anger as she struggled and vehemently denied the accusations.

"Ralap! Think carefully about what you're saying. If your mom knew you were trying to pin this on Barbara, how could she go on living?"

Martin also stepped forward, his voice grave, "Ralap! Your dad passed away early, and for years the Wests have been taking care of you and your mom. Your uncle has treated you like his own son. This is biting the hand that feeds you! If your mom found out, she'd be too ashamed to face the world."

Both Martin and Barbara were using Cecilia as a means to threaten Ralap.

Ralap, who grew up in a single-parent household, had a strong bond with his mother.

Ralap looked torn, covering his face as he sobbed, filled with regret and hatred.

Remington watched coldly from the sidelines, his eyes mocking, not rushing or interrupting.

He wanted to see just how shameless they could be to escape blame.

Stella, either from shock or something else, had been kneeling quietly, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Suddenly, she looked up, crying out.

"It's all my fault, everything is because of me! I'm the one who deserves to die the most!"

She crawled a few steps towards Ralap, positioning herself in front of everyone, looking up as she grabbed Remington's pant leg.

With a broken plea, she looked up at Remington and said, "Remington everything started because of

Let me be the one to go to I was the one who asked my cousin..."

She was cut off as Barbara rushed over, pulling her away.NôvelDrama.Org content.

"Stella! What nonsense are you spouting? You can't just say things like that! Why are you always so foolish!"

"Mom, I can't just watch as you all go to jail for me. I can't do it! If only I hadn't come back, it's all my fault... I've ruined everything..." Stella and Barbara embraced, Stella weeping bitterly, while Barbara closed her eyes tightly, her face a picture of utter defeat. Stella's reaction and her words brought Barbara back to reality.

At this point, trying to coerce or bribe Ralap into taking the blame in front of Remington was impossible.

It would only make Remington despise the West family even more.

Barbara let go of Stella and, with trembling hands, wiped away her tears.

Slowly standing up, her legs weak and faltering, Martin supported her.

She pushed Martin away and faced Remington.

"Yes, it was I who orchestrated Ralap's actions. Because as long as that woman was around, Remington, you would never marry Stella, would you?

I had planned for the woman to be

taken abroad under the care of my people until she gave birth, then to stage a difficult labor leading to bleeding out. We could have brought the child back, especially since Stella can't conceive. Raising this child wouldn't be out of the question.

Ket

But Lizetta, she couldn't stay put, running away! She was too uncontrollable, and with the West family's malice already revealed, feared she might regret her decision and secretly return to Zion City, or even contact you, Remington. So, I decided it was better to be done with it and had Ralap eliminate her..."