Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

As the man finished speaking, he didn't glance back at Stella before striding confidently into the office.

Cedric shook his head slightly, quickly following behind.

The office door closed, leaving the secretary's area in utter silence.

Stella stood there, her face pale, unable to believe that Remington had just publicly embarrassed her like that.

She felt as if the gazes of those around her, who had just been singing her praises, were now filled with doubt and condemnation, almost burning through her skin.

One of the female secretaries, unable to hide her frustration, spoke up, "Ma'am, what happened?"

Stella, with an awkward expression, corrected her, "Ma'am? Please, don't call me that! Mr. Dashiell keeps work and personal life separate. This is an office, and he doesn't like it when people gather around for a chat during work hours. Let's get back to work, I won't keep you any longer."

With those words, she attempted to leave.

The female secretary grabbed her arm, "Ms. West, we're all in this because of you. Could you please talk to Mr. Dashiell and ask him to let this slide for us?"

The others echoed her plea, but Stella didn't dare agree.

Just as she was feeling trapped and unsure of how to extricate herself, the office door opened, and Cedric spoke up.

"Ms. West, the president would like to see you."

The mood among the staff shifted instantly.

Seeing her chance, Stella quickly nodded with a smile.

"I'll be right there." She hurried towards the office.

Remington was sitting at his desk, reviewing a document, as Stella approached him.

"Remington, you wanted to see me about..."

But before she could finish, Remington, without looking up, said, "Cedric."

Cedric immediately stepped forward, blocking Stella's path, and gestured.

"Ms. West, please take a seat on the couch. I'll explain."

Stella looked at Remington, who was as immovable and distant as a mountain, feeling a sourness in her nose.

However, she didn't dare to test

Remington's patience any further et So quietly followed Cedric to the

sofa area.

As soon as she sat down, Cedric placed a stack of neatly compiled documents in front of her.

"Ms. West, please take a look."

When Stella saw that the documents were about various management schools abroad, her hands trembled slightly. "Remington, these are..."

She looked up, confused, and Remington finally put down the document, turned to her, and said,

"You can take your time, choose a school you like, and head abroad to study as soon as possible."

Stella's face turned even paler, "Last time, when you and dad talked about this, I also discussed it with him. I've just returned to my family, and after

losing mom, I don't want to go abroad. I just want to spend more time with dad, and he feels the same."

Saying so, she stood up, walked over to Remington, pushed the documents back to him, and continued to refuse.

"Remington, these schools are great, but they're beyond my capabilities..."

"If that's the case, just pick one, and I'll arrange everything. You'll be enrolled successfully."

Remington closed his pen with a finality, his tone more of a declaration than a discussion.

Stella choked up, tears welling in her eyes, shaking her head in fear.Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

"If I hadn't been lost these years, these schools would have been my dream. But now..."

She lowered her head in embarrassment, tears falling.

"I can barely speak the language fluently now. Being abroad, with the language barrier, I can't even begin to imagine what I'd face. I won't be able to adapt! Remington, please spare me."