Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

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Stella clenched her fists so hard her nails almost broke through her palms.

"Stella?" Martin glanced at her, a hint of concern breaking through his otherwise stern facade. Stella didn't dare go against Martin's wishes. She also gave the police a nod and a forced smile. "Liz was terrified, clinging to me and crying. It was all a misunderstanding, a scare for nothing." Once the police and Remington's men had left, the West household finally found its peace again.

Only then did Stella, eyes brimming with tears, say, "Dad, why did you back down? If I married into the Dashiell family, our families would be united. Once I get better and have children with Remington..."

Martin scoffed, cutting her off, "It's not as simple as you think. Remington isn't someone you can easily sway! When you were first brought back, Remington was full of guilt. Marrying you then, he might have treated you and our family kindly. But you, with your clever ideas, ruined a perfectly good situation. Now, Remington has his guard up against the Wests. Even if you married him out of obligation, he'd be wary of us at every turn. Besides, do you really think he's let go of his suspicions about our family? He just lacks concrete evidence.

The tangible benefits and advantages are what matter most to him. The Cloud Retreat land is worth its weight in gold, especially with Zion City's recent development plans. If played right, the West family could climb another rung on the ladder, potentially standing toe-to-toe with the Dashiells someday!"

Stella bit her lip, "So, I should just give up?"

"Of course not. Seeing how things are with Lizetta, they're hardly in a position to mend their relationship easily. Time is on our side. If you play your cards right and keep your cool, once the West family rises, the title of Mrs. Dashiell will still be within reach."

the shoulder. She thought of Lizetta's devastated state, of her leaving the Dashiell family with nothing, while she, once the Wests were in a better position, would become Zion City's foremost socialite.

In the car.

close, placing a towel-wrapped ice pack

in the passenger seat, ended

handled promptly, avoiding any unwanted attention. We've also looked into those who were

had ordered these cleanup tasks, ensuring the

nodded, wrapping Lizetta more tightly in

"Turn up the heater."

neck, frowning as he

wiping sweat from his brow, immediately complied without

face, Ray couldn't hide his frustration. "Mr. Remington Dashiell, are we really just handing

flashed in Remington's eyes. "The Wests have bitten off more than they can chew. What they've

pulled into the Dashiell

placed a hat on

the living room, where not only Fiona was. waiting but