Cassius watched Stella with a troubled expression. Ever since she’d come back, he’d always felt there was something different about her—she wasn’t quite the same girl she’d been as a child.
But now, seeing Stella act as if she were the bigger person even though she was clearly at fault, pretending to be magnanimous and unjustly wronged, he found himself genuinely stunned by her audacity.
Did Stella really think everyone around her was a fool?
Remington, on the other hand, hadn’t changed his expression in the slightest. From start to finish, Stella’s performance didn’t surprise him one bit.
But Margaret—she was furious, practically shaking with anger at Stella’s little display.
She grabbed Stella’s arm, her jaw clenched tight. “What do you mean you’re apologizing on my behalf? I can apologize for myself! You were the mastermind—you're the one who used me! Don't you dare act like you’re blameless, as if you’re just taking the fall for me.”
Margaret felt like a complete joke for ever thinking Stella was meek or easy to push around. She’d actually pitied Stella, believing she’d been taken advantage of by Lizetta.
But now? Stella was nowhere near as innocent as she’d seemed. The way Stella had manipulated her—without her ever realizing—proved she was anything but helpless. There was no way Lizetta could have bullied Stella without Stella fighting back.
For all Margaret knew, maybe Stella had even orchestrated the tragedy with Lizetta’s child. What a poisonous woman.
“What do you mean, mastermind? Margaret, I only just found out you were the one spreading the videos and rumors—”
“Oh, really?” Margaret cut her off with a sneer. “You had absolutely no idea?”
“Of course,” Stella replied, not a hint of hesitation or guilt in her voice.
Margaret nodded slowly. “Alright, Stella. I hope you remember exactly what you’ve just said.”
A cold jolt of panic shot through Stella as Margaret spoke.
Margaret pulled out her phone, scrolled quickly, and tapped a video before setting it down on the table for everyone to see.
On the screen, Stella sat on the edge of Margaret’s sofa, the two of them sharing coffee and cake in the soft afternoon light.


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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....