Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Did you just swipe my bag?"

"Swipe your bag? Look who's talking, Miss High-and-Mighty. Can't you see that? The Hawthornes are flat broke, and our mansion's getting gutted to cover debts.

I haven't seen a paycheck in two months, and it's a free-for-all with the stuff inside. I just grabbed a couple of purses, that's all. I didn't even fuss about them being second-hand. What more do you want? You want to play the lady of the manor? Square up my wages right now, and you can have your precious bags back, as if I care!"

With that said, Nora shrugged off Evelina with a fling of her arm and dragged her suitcase away, leaving Evelina trembling with rage. Nora rolled her eyes and walked off.

That moment, Elara and Kevin were also kicked out of the mansion.

Evelina rushed over, seizing Kevin by the arm with a face full of shock and fear.

"Dad, what's going on? How did the company tank all of a sudden? Couldn't we just pull in some investment, patch up the financial gaps, and get through this crisis?"

She was still brainstorming solutions, convinced that there had to be a way out.

But how did everything collapse so suddenly!

Evelina was so overwhelmed that she was unable to grasp the reality of their downfall.

Kevin turned around and stared back at Evelina with an ashen face.

and he slapped Evelina hard across

stumbled back, holding her face in

"Dad? You hit me?"

doted on her, being mindful of the hardships she'd

faced criticism and reprimands more than

strike our family down like this? My God, how did the Hawthornes end up with such

at Evelina, his chest heaving with

turned ghostly pale, and

It was Remington.

that Edith hadn't ratted her out; it was Remington

A death blow.

legacy was shattered, and she, the

did you do? Why is all this happening? Did you

reddened with anger, shook off Elara's

was your own flesh and blood, that you'd always love me the most? Now you're bringing up Lizetta again? Ha, I provoked Lizetta? Don't forget that it wasn't

you? Thinking you should've

late! But don't jump to conclusions just yet. What goes around comes around. I won't be outdone by Lizetta. The game is long, and I refuse to

Evelina

she had driven