Remington only put his phone down once the lights in Lizetta's room went out.
Yet, instead of starting the car, he reclined his seat, adjusted his position, and closed his eyes.
The air was damp, making his clothes feel clammy and cold against his skin.
He opened his eyes again, searching for something to cover himself with, glancing around the car.
On the passenger seat lay a suit jacket, once an expensive designer piece, now crumpled and dirty, having been used as a rag.
There wasn't much else in the car to use as a blanket.
Finally, Remington reached for the oversized teddy bear in the back seat, pulling it over with some reluctance and hugging it close.
"Guess it's just you and me tonight, buddy. Let's keep each other warm," he muttered.
The bear stared back at him with big, goofy eyes, but its fluffy bulk was surprisingly warm.
Lizetta slept dreamlessly through the night, undisturbed by the thunderstorm she had feared might come.
Morning broke with clear skies and lush greenery outside her window. She stretched, then headed to the bathroom, blissfully unaware that someone had kept watch outside her villa all night, leaving just half an hour ago.
Remington drove straight to the office, freshened up in the break room, and emerged to find Cedric waiting.
As they headed to the staff cafeteria, Cedric began briefing him on the day's agenda.
In the elevator, Cedric, noting his boss's unusually good mood, dove into the report.
"Mr. Dashiell, we received some HR documents today that require your signature. It seems Winters has been reported for some serious issues."
Remington remembered Winters as a smooth operator, someone who knew how to play the game.
He looked at Cedric, knowing that if Cedric brought it up, there must be more to the story.
He'd been so elated to see Lizetta at the Starlight Group that he hadn't even questioned why she was there.
Lizetta wouldn't just show up out of the blue. If she wanted to see him, she'd have let him know first.
She wasn't about to surprise him like she once might have.
Remington sighed inwardly and instructed Cedric, "Winters isn't entirely to blame. Stella's probably up to something else. Look into it thoroughly."
Cedric nodded, "Will do."
Remington added, "Reassign the rest of this morning's tasks to Louis. Focus on this investigation first."
Cedric, feeling like he was becoming more of a private investigator than an assistant, thought to himself that he might open a detective agency once the boss finally won Mrs. Dashiell back.
But for the sake of his tenth lakefront villa, he was determined to excel at this new role.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington)
Does evil really triumph always above the good in this novel ? How comes Stella's evilness has no end? Does the author believes that by giving justice and importance to bad people like Stella will make this novel interesring? I am starting to lose my patience and ask when will the writer finally will realize that the protagonist is Lizetta and not Stella....
Update pls thanks!...
This novel is too sad. When will Lizetta experience real happiness. Why is her life so miserable.. Author pls bring changes in the story....
Removed the 5 Chapters per day if you can't keep up to it....