Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

His gaze darkened as it lingered on her plump, rosy lips. His voice was rough and tinged with heat. "If we're talking about compensation for laundry services, let's settle the whole account. I believe this isn't the first time I've done laundry for you. Shouldn't we also settle past laundry bills?"

Lizetta paused, puzzled. "When have you ever done laundry for me..."

She wanted to accuse him of making things up, but then, a vague memory surfaced. Indeed, Remington had once done laundry for her. It was her underwear.

She was just over eight years old when she fell during PE class at school and hurt her hand quite badly. Although a maid did her laundry, she was too embarrassed to have her underwear washed by someone else and always did it herself. With her hand injured, the underwear sat unwashed for two days and was about to start smelling. She attempted to wash it with one hand.

When Remington came home and opened the bathroom door, he found her with her chest soaked. He frowned, pulled her away intending to call the maid, but Lizetta, looking pitiful, insisted she could do it herself. She had only been with the Dashiell family for half a year and wasn't considered a proper young lady of the household, which made her less assertive in front of the servants. Moreover, she had already started, and having Remington call a maid felt like tattling behind her back. The stubborn girl returned to the sink to continue her clumsy attempt until Remington, out of irritation, pulled her away.

Eventually, acting as her brother, he took over and washed her undergarments for nearly half a month until the scab on her hand fell off.

about the past for a very long time. Thinking back

Remington observed her complex expression and spoke softly. His tone was gentle, almost

and emotions dissolving like bubbles before her eyes. She pushed Remington away and pulled all the cash from her

of bills, glanced at them, and tucked them into his pocket without annoyance, planning to keep them as a memento. After

was indeed waiting, but two security guards from the club stood by him, clearly having reluctantly let Remington in. Seeing

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with Lizetta when Remington caught up to walk beside her. Noticing her glance at the bodyguard, Remington seemed to anticipate her concern and said, "I've taken care

Lizetta had intended to

bodyguard to handle the surveillance, especially since Stella was stilling in the restroom, and they didn't want to leave any evidence for