Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington was so mad his veins were popping.

Evelina raised her hand and gently patted Remington’s chest, speaking in a soft and frail voice, “Remington, don’t be mad. I’m okay; just got whacked on the arm by a hammer. I’m not that delicate.”

Remington didn’t say another word, took his gaze back, and briskly walked out with Evelina in his arms.

Evelina, nestled in the man’s embrace, secretly flashed a triumphant smile at Lizetta without making a scene. Lizetta felt her blood turn to ice, her face losing its last bit of color.

“Remington, do you even count as a man?! Your wife and your brother are over there, and you’re just gonna walk out holding that damn thing?”

Yolanda, fuming with rage, charged forward trying to stop them. If Remington. walked out with Evelina, wouldn’t Lizetta become the laughingstock?

But the man didn’t stop his stride and ordered the bodyguards, “Clear the way!”

Two bodyguards immediately stepped up to pull Yolanda away, but she was too fierce for them, knocking them down in the blink of an eye.

However, that delay was enough for Remington to walk away with Evelina. Yolanda wanted to chase after them, but Lizetta spoke up.

“Yolanda, don’t chase them; let them go.”

She had already become the joke of Zion City four years ago. Only then did Yolanda run to Lizetta, who furiously glared at the remaining bodyguards.

“Joseph has fainted; aren’t you going to come over and help?!”

Her voice was urgent, genuinely worried something might happen to Joseph. Then, she felt a tickle in her palm, and Lizetta was startled, looking down:

Joseph sneakily opened one eye and made faces at her.

This little rascal, he must have been holding his breath just now, his face all

red and sweaty, and she fell for it, nearly scared to death!

She pinched him discreetly, and the bodyguards quickly stepped forward, picking up Joseph and hurrying outside.

Meanwhile, Remington, holding Evelina, exited the mall, and Cedric had the car ready and came over.

Meeting Remington’s impatient gaze, Cedric hurried over, “Boss, let me.”

Evelina immediately looked up sadly, clinging to Remington’s collar with her uninjured right hand, “Remi.”

But her little act didn’t make Remington hesitate for a second, as he handed her over to Cedric’s arms.

Evelina held on, not wanting to let go, and Cedric said, “Ms. Hawthorne, the boss‘ arm hasn’t had the stitches removed yet from his previous injury.”

Evelina immediately let go, her eyes filled with concern, “It’s been a week; how come your wound hasn’t healed? Later at the hospital, have the doctor take a look too; I’m really worried.”

Remington nodded slightly, catching a glimpse of the bodyguards carrying out Joseph, and then stepped into the car. This little brat, always such a good

actor!

Lizetta followed the bodyguards, holding Joseph’s hand, and once they left. the mall, she saw Remington bend over to get into the car, and the vehicle sped away.

“Pfft! In such a hurry, probably rushing to Evelina’s funeral!”

Joseph couldn’t hold back his laughter, shaking all over, which made the bodyguard stop in his tracks to look down.

Lizetta pinched the little guy’s hand, worriedly saying, “He’s in shock, quick! Get him in the car.”

Once in the car, Lizetta let Joseph lean on her shoulder and asked him in a low voice, “What happened?”

Joseph, resting his head on Lizetta’s shoulder, whispered the story to her.

14:09

A couple of days ago, Joseph saw Evelina at the hospital and noticed the bracelet on her wrist, immediately recognizing it as the heirloom jade bracelet of the Dashiell family.

Today, he heard that Shirley and Evelina were meeting up to go shopping, so he immediately followed them with his bodyguards.

He wanted Evelina to take off the bracelet, but she wouldn’t cooperate, and the bracelet was too small; even the sales lady couldn’t get it off after trying with foam and all.

Evelina also made some snide remarks about Lizetta, and Joseph, unable to hold back, had someone fetch a hammer.

“Too bad my brother arrived too quickly; I didn’t hit the mark. Otherwise, I would’ve smashed it even if I had to break it, just not let her wear it! Who does she think she is? Liz, you’re the only one I acknowledge!”

Lizetta was touched inside, gently patting the kid’s head. Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

Yolanda leaned in and whispered to Joseph, “Joseph, that’s where you went wrong; how could you just lash out like that? You should have brought me along!”

“Yeah, I’ll call you next time.”

“Let me tell you, I’m good with a hammer. I’ll teach you, and once you’ve practiced, aim right for that witch’s head, blow her brains out, see if it’s white or black, ouch!”

Lizetta tapped Yolanda’s head with her finger, “Don’t lead the kid astray!”