Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

“Remi, my sis and Master Dories seem pretty chummy, and she’s like super skilled. Not like me, I’m all thumbs when it comes to talking and networking, always relying on you, Remi,”

Not even glancing at her, Remington just kept walking and casually said, “She’s definitely on the ball.”

Being on the ball enough to chase after that 3 million and even to hustle with interpreting gigs.

Remington thought with a hint of sarcasm.

Evelina was taken aback, was that her takeaway?

“So, what’s Liz doing here?”

“She’s tagging along as an interpreter,” Remington replied nonchalantly.

Evelina frowned, a translator? ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Lizetta showed her the divorce agreement before; she needed to scrape together 3 million for a divorce, so Evelina would agree to give back that dance role to Lizetta.

Lizetta should be running around trying to drum up the cash, but interpreting pays peanuts.

Evelina had a hunch there was more to it, so she sent April to do some digging as soon as they hit the lounge.

April got the lowdown fast, and Evelina stood up from her chair, “Remi, I’m kinda wired, gonna step out for some air.”

Remington was glued to his emails by the window and didn’t even look up when she spoke.

Evelina left the lounge and took April to the end of the corridor, where April whispered a few words.

Evelina’s face fell, “What! She’s gunning for an interview to be Master Dories‘ student? No way that can fly!”

That’s totally off–limits!

April frowned, “Evelina, if she nails the interview, she’ll go abroad, and that would be a good thing, right? Once she’s gone, Mr. Dashiell is all yours.”

But Evelina clenched her fists, “You don’t get it!”

Sure, if Lizetta skipped the country, that would be great.

But not as Master Dories‘ protégé, as that would catapult Lizetta to a whole new level, giving her the express lane to career success.

Elara’s a dance legend, and once Lizetta hits the international stage, she’ll shine like the diamond she always was.

Once that hidden gem gets its day in the sun, it’ll totally eclipse Evelina’s own light.

Remington would think even less of her, and Elara and Kevin would kick themselves for ditching such stellar adopted daughter.

They’d all regret it.

Evelina wouldn’t let that happen, not on her watch!

With her eyes sparking with malice, she lowered her voice, “You go….

Lizetta and Dories had achat, she stepped out of the room.Dores

Lizetta had booked a room by the hour at the hotel; she returned to her room after leaving Dories.

She changed into her dance clothes and stretched a couple of sets; then she stepped out, and unscrewed the thermos on the table for a sip of water.

With time to kill, Lizetta sat cross–legged on the sofa, closed her eyes, and zoned out.

It was her pre–show ritual for years, but for some reason, her head started to feel foggy, and her eyelids felt heavy.

Lizetta slumped over on the sofa, out cold.

A while later, her phone on the table kept buzzing, but Lizetta was blissfully unaware.

“What’s going on? She’s not picking up.”

Dories‘ assistant Anna had called Lizetta three times; looking helplessly at Dories, she said.

Dories hated people who didn’t follow rules or respect the clock, and she’d already made an exception

waiting an extra five minutes for Lizett

“She wouldn’t just ghost us on purpose.”

Nearby, Evelina was frantically trying to smooth things over with Anna in English.

*Looks like Master Dories is getting antsy. I’ll go look for my sister, can you maybe sweet–talk him for us?”

Evelina spun on her heel, grilled a waiter, and soon she was back, looking troubled.

“The waiter said he saw someone who might’ve been my sister rush out half an hour ago, she must’ve bolted for something super important.”

Just then, Remington strolled up with Cedric.

Seeing Dories‘ sour face and no sign of Lizetta, he turned to Anna and asked, “What’s the deal?”

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