Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta rolled her eyes at Shirley with a mocking smile, "Shirley, in the age of streaming and podcasts, you're still stuck on the term 'discarded wife'? What's next, can't step out without your makeup perfectly done?"

Shirley, fuming, pointed a finger at Lizetta, her face a mix of anger and disdain. "And what high horse are you on? Clawing your way into my Remi's bed was the only way you got him to marry you. The momen you got pregnant, you forced my Remi to throw a lavish wedding for you. He despised you so much he didn't even show up; instead, he flew all the way to Stella. Because of your constant nagging and crying, you made the Dashiell household a living hell, and then you lost the baby. It was no surprise Remi had enough and divorced you. If that's not a 'discarded wife,' what is?"

Shirley's portrayal was a complete distortion of the truth. She had always been overshadowed by Lizetta, mainly because Remington favored Lizetta over her. But now, with Lizetta divorced from Remington and working as a celebrity assistant, Shirley felt emboldened.

The Dashiells have always been discreet with their personal affairs, keeping most of their issues away from the public eye. Lizetta wasn't one to socialize much, so not many had seen her before. However, gossip spread fast, and at Shirley's words, the crowd started murmuring in disdain.

"So she's the one from the Dashiell family who climbed her way up through the bed, huh? She does have some beauty; no wonder..."

"Being pretty doesn't get you everything. In the end, a sparrow can't become a phoenix. It's all for nothing."

"How could she show her face here? At Mr. Dashiell's wedding, you all saw it. My cousin was invited; he said Mr. Dashiell didn't show up because he went to pick up Ms. West."

The young starlet standing next to Stella quickly looked over with a flattering gaze. "So, Ms. West is the true love of Mr. Dashiell's heart, huh? Ms. West and Ms. Shirley Dashiell seem so close; does that mean there's a wedding on the horizon?"

"Absolutely, Ms. Shirley Dashiell must have accepted her as family already."

Stella, basking in the praise and jokes, genuinely felt her moment was coming soon. She stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face, addressing Lizetta. "Liz, what brings you back to Zion City? Running low on cash? Here, take my purse."

She sighed and gestured slightly.

Immediately a young starlet handed over Stella's Hermes Birkin bag, chiming, "Ms. West, isn't this the limited edition from this fall's magazine cover? It must be worth millions by now; only a bag dike this suits Ms. West."

Another starlet speculated, "Did Mr. Dashiell gift this to Ms. West?"

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Stella hadn't seen Remington in over four months, she had spent the first three months bedridden, recovering She had wanted to be around Remington, but he had blocked her. Cedric's calls went unanswered; she hadn't seen him even once. But she wouldn't let Lizetta know any of this.

Taking the bag, Stella smiled coyly, playing it off, "It's just a regular bag, not as exaggerated as you guys make it seem."

She then pulled out a credit card and

handed it to Lizetta, "Liz, here's some cash for you. Quit the assistant job; it's not for you. Take this money and start fresh in a

smaller city. People won't knLineNôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

you

there. With your looks, you'll find someone decent, not as prestigious as the Dashiell family, but you'll live comfortably."

"Ms. West is so generous and kind."

"Given her looks, what kind of serious assistant could she be? Ms. West is truly looking out for her."

Lizetta, arms crossed, smirked at Stella, holding the credit card, raising an eyebrow in amusement at Shirley and Stella's performance. "You two putting on a free drama show here?"

Yolanda joined in with a laugh, "Exactly, and it's like an improv theater. So entertaining, even the extras are giving their all. Bravo!"

Yolanda clapped, adding to the mockery.