Lizetta felt a sudden pang at her nose, a sensation she couldn't quite place, and snapped the box shut with a decisive thud.
"Who are you calling grandma and grandpa anyway? Mr. Dashiell, you better watch it, or Grandpa Nelson might just come after you with his trusty cane."
Remington wasn't referring to Fiona Dashiell or the late Mr. Dashiell, but rather to Grandpa Nelson and Grandma Bernice.
He was talking about the ivory hairpin Grandpa gave Grandma over forty years ago, something Lizetta had seen herself.
Though Grandma's mind was not as sharp as it used to be, she treasured that hairpin dearly and would not let anyone touch it.
Lizetta had always admired her grandparents' relationship and found herself pleasantly surprised that Remington was following in Grandpa's footsteps by gifting her a hairpin.
And, just like the one Grandpa had given Grandma, it was crafted by the same master artisan.
As far as Lizetta knew, this artist rarely carved jewelry, favoring landscapes and figurines instead.
This had to be one of the only two hairpins ever made by Mr. Ethan Jade, making Remington's gift all the more thoughtful.
"Every time Grandpa hits me, I'll call him that again. Eventually, he'll get used to it and won't have the heart to hit me anymore."
Lizetta chuckled softly, "You seem quite confident. I'm off to work now, gotta go."
With that, Lizetta hung up without a moment's hesitation.
On the other end, Remington was left holding the phone, slightly stunned by the abrupt end to their conversation.
He shook his head with an amused smile, a hint of resignation in his eyes.
Just then, Cedric walked into the room.
"Mr. Dashiell, I've got a couple of videos and some photos for you to look at."
Cedric placed a tablet in front of Remington and played the videos.
The first video showed Stella's glove accidentally catching fire, revealing her missing fingers to all.
The second video featured Remington cradling a baby, with Stella leaning in to gently touch the child's forehead.
Remington recognized the scene; it was from the time he had run into the nanny at the hospital with Ron.
He had stayed late that night to care for the child, with only Stella and the West family's nanny present.
Apparently, the nanny had secretly recorded the moment.
And it was unlikely she would do so without Stella's prompting.
The video was brief, barely ten seconds long, which is why Remington hadn't realized it had been filmed.
As for the photos Cedric mentioned, Remington opened them and felt his temper flare.
They were all strategically taken, showing him and Stella in seemingly intimate situations, either by clever angles or by cropping out others.
At first glance, one might easily jump to conclusions about their relationship.
"Mr. Dashiell, these videos and photos are making the rounds in several company chat groups in Zion City, and people are talking..."


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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....