Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta spun around, a flash of surprise crossing her face, "How did you get in here?"

She frowned and glanced outside, certain she had asked the Madden family's security to keep watch.

Remington steadied her before she could protest, quickly withdrawing his hand afterwards.

He rubbed his fingers together where they had touched her waist, as if her warmth and softness lingered there.

"I told your guards I was worried about you and just wanted to check in. Guess they thought I looked trustworthy enough to let me through."

Lizetta thought he was full of it but didn't have the evidence to prove otherwise. Besides, this wasn't the time to get hung up on that.

Her gaze shifted back to Stella, who had pushed her away only to collapse on the floor herself.

Drunk beyond belief, Stella sprawled on the ground, her body covered in vomit.

"Cough, cough... blargh..."

Choking on her own vomit, Stella struggled to get up only to vomit again.

"Stella, was Hans sent by the West family? Tell me!"

Lizetta, furious, moved closer and crouched down, grabbing Stella by her shirt collar.

"Blargh!"

red from the alcohol, eyes rolling back,

Lizetta tugged at her, Stella's response was to vomit

stepped in, pulling Lizetta away just in time to avoid

wasted to

sprawled on the

evidence from the West family, I wouldn't have had to dig so hard these past few

had never stopped investigating

lead had been meticulously cleaned up. There were hints, but

speculation, no matter how close to the truth it might

don't believe it.

and walked to the bathroom corner, where

up the empty bucket and filled it

a strong

already turning around with the bucket in

"You..."

just looked at her softly and said,

water, and she was

Splash.

on Stella in one go, causing her to