Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Chapter 8

“April? Isn’t she Evelina’s agent? What does she want with you?”

“She wants to set up a songwriting session.”

“For Evelina? Wow, talk about dropping 100 grand right off the bat.”

“Uh–huh,” Lizetta nodded and casually blacklisted April’s number.

Yolanda couldn’t help but crack up, “Evelina’s got some nerve, with her mediocre chops!”

Lizetta dropped her bags off at Yolanda’s place and hopped a cab to Starlight.

The Dashiell Group, a hundred–year–old empire, was like an aging aircraft carrier showing its flaws, hard to turn around. Eight years back, Remington made some bold moves, carving out the Starlight Group from the Dashiell. Group, infusing it with fresh lifeblood.

Under his guidance, the Starlight Group rode the waves, gobbling up growth at a pace that left the Dashiell Group in the dust.

Nowadays, the Dashiell Group was still in the hands of Remington’s dad, Nathan, but it was Remington who was the star player at the helm of the Starlight Group, outshining his old man. They said he was the heir of the Dashiell Group, but it was pretty clear they were riding on his coattails now.

A year ago, Fiona, wanting to foster some marital bonding, had Lizetta join the Starlight Group’s president’s office as a lowly clerk.

The office was buzzing today, with secretary Lydia handing out wedding candies because she was pregnant and leaving.

Lizetta snagged some candy, offering her congrats. Back at her desk, she started typing up her resignation letter.

Lydia spotted this and blurted out in surprise, “Lizetta, you got a bun in the oven too?”

as usual. Beauties always

a slew of admirers, till Remington caught sight of her desk buried in roses and was in a funk for days.

off the suitors, though nobody knew she was

for a different reason.”

you guys planning on having kids? Makes sense, you’re still

start early, get back in shape sooner rather than later, but oh well.” Lizetta kept

perceptive, got the wrong end of the stick, “Your hubby’s shooting blanks?”

capable; it’s just

Lydia was gobsmacked.

mean your man’s got azoospermia?! And bad breath on top of that? Girl, you gotta know when to cut

Lydia had seen a couple kissing in the parking lot and thought the woman looked like Lizetta, so she asked if it was Lizetta’s hubby picking

had never kissed, which somehow spiraled into the office joke that

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Chapter 8

air, Lizetta found herself saddled with another rumor.

Lizetta thought of Remington’s cold, aristocratic face and slapped this new label on him, she couldn’t suppress a snort.

work now? The Starlight Group doesn’t pay you to loaf around!”

stony–faced Remington, her smile

up, and then glanced

boss‘ aura was just like some drama’s leading man.

for your hard work.

quickly thanked him, relieved. The tension in the room melted away, but the

sec,” he walked