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?”

were on her, as usual. Beauties

caught sight of her desk buried in roses and was in a funk

suitors, though nobody knew she

quitting for a

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

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

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

it’s just that it’s all for naught.”

Lydia was gobsmacked.

got azoospermia?! And bad breath on top of that? Girl,

the woman looked like Lizetta, so she asked if it was Lizetta’s hubby

which somehow spiraled into the office joke

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Chapter 8

way to clear the air, Lizetta found herself saddled with another rumor. She gotta hand it to

of Remington’s cold, aristocratic face and slapped this new label on him, she couldn’t

this how you work now? The Starlight Group doesn’t pay you

Remington, her smile freezing on her face.

then glanced at the boss nervously,

boss‘ aura was just

spoke up, “Thanks for your hard work. Hand out the

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

sec,” he walked into