Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Stella had been choked by Remington before, and that hauntingly familiar sensation of being on the brink of death swiftly engulfed her once more. Her eyes rolled back as she nearly passed out. Yet, Lizetta was forcibly dragged away by a bodyguard despite her resistance.

Kneeling on the ground, Stella coughed violently, her eyes red and bulging from the strain. She glared at Lizetta and rasped out a command, "Trash, hit her!"

The bodyguard didn't hesitate and delivered a slap to Lizetta. Exhausted, Lizetta's body rolled twice on the floor, ending up in a heap near the coffee table, motionless.

At that moment, Martin descended the stairs, his gaze on Lizetta as venomous as a snake's. He settled on the couch with a sneer. "Ms. Gardenia, remember this? Right here is where you all cornered my wife! Your downfall today is karma, you're getting what you deserve."

Stella, having recovered slightly, stood up and kicked Lizetta twice. "Lizetta, even pregnant, you didn't choose to do good deeds. Now, with your child gone, it's your retribution!"

Lizetta felt drained, darkness closing in. Their hateful words seemed to come from afar. They wanted to destroy her all because of Barbara. But it was Barbara who had attempted murder, truly deserving of punishment!

Lizetta felt immense pain, her enemies right before her, yet she was powerless to act. Daisyy, I'm so sorry, I'm too weak. I couldn't protect you, nor avenge you... You must be so cold and alone in that other world, shall I join you?

Lizetta slowly closed her eyes, feeling kicks and hits but numb to the pain. As her consciousness began to fade, a familiar, urgent voice seemed to break through. "Liz!"

Remington's towering figure rushed

into the West family home, his eyes blazing upon seeing the scene in theNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

living room. Lizetta lay on the floor, lifeless and alone. Numerous

bodyguards and servants stood around, their actions towards Lizetta unknown.

Seeing Remington storm in, Stella, who had been about to continue her assault, instead collapsed into the

arms of a servant, feigning

weakness. She cried out,

"Remington, Lizetta tried to run me

over, she wanted to kill me

But Remington paid her no heed, striding forward to carefully lift Lizetta into his arms, pressing her close. "Liz!"

Lizetta was drenched in cold sweat,

as if she'd been pulled from water.

Her body was limp, her complexion pale as death, contrasting starkly with the swelling from the slap

her face and the blood at her ne

lips.

Her eyes were barely open, either too weak to do so or indifferent to

his arrival, unwilling to open her eyes to see him.

Remington, holding her, trembled slightly, a chilling aura surrounding him as he lifted his fierce gaze. "Who did this!?"

One of the black-clad bodyguards involuntarily stepped back. That small movement was all Remington needed to identify his target. With a glare, Ray moved forward, swift as lightning. "Ah!" A scream followed by the sound of breaking bones echoed almost instantly. No one saw how Ray moved, but the bodyguard screamed, his arm broken, kneeling on the ground.