Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Who do you think you are? Do you run Dashiell Hospital? Every single penny for my brother's stay here has been paid by me. Why can't he stay here?"

Wendy sneered, "You? Paid the medical bills? Stop bluffing. What ability do you have to cover such high expenses? It's all thanks to Remington and the Dashiell family!"

Lizetta found it amusing. "Even if I did rely on Remington, it's because he's willing. What's it to you, a distant aunt who's barely related?"

People nearby began to snicker and gossip.

"Thought she was the mother-in-law-turns out, just some distant aunt, meddling in other people's business."

"Come on, take this drama elsewhere. Let the patients recover in peace."

Wendy's outburst was clearly disturbing others, and they started to chastise her.

Unable to maintain her composure, Wendy snapped, "What do you all know? How can it not involve me? I—"

"Why don't you explain exactly how I'm under your care and how it's relevant to you?" A cold, stern voice suddenly sounded from behind.

Lizetta looked up to see Remington stepping forward from the crowd, with a tense-looking Cedric following closely behind.

Cedric hurried over, his face filled with worry and apology. "Madam, I'm so sorry. I accidentally ran into Ethan, which let Mrs. Dashiell know you were here. When the President heard, he immediately rushed back out of concern."

Wendy's expression shifted the moment she saw Remington's cold demeanor. She quickly changed her tone. "Remington, why are you here? Don't get the wrong idea, Wendy wasn't meddling in your affairs. She just wanted to advise Lizetta that if she still relies on you to take care of her brother, she shouldn't cause such a scene over something so trivial."

Before she could finish, Remington cut her off coldly. "Thaddeus's hospital bills are covered by Liz! And if what you call 'something trivial' is Shirley repeatedly insulting Lizetta in public, then by that logic, am I free to call Wendy a shameless, bullying, old hag?"

His words were ruthless. Wendy's face turned bright red, and her eyes filled with humiliation and anger.

"How can you say that to Wendy? I'm your elder!" she cried.

Remington's lips curled into a cold smile. "Such a small matter-surely it's beneath Wendy to bicker with someone younger, isn't it?"

was

"Are

was pulling at Madam's hair with

glared at Wendy, his intense look causing her to turn pale. She quickly backtracked. "I only wanted to bring Liz downstairs. We're all family-can't we talk things out in person? Remington, you can't just believe her side of the story! You've

Remington's expression hardened. "Enough!"

clutched her chest,

frowned. What did Wendy almost say

asked, "What does she mean? What have you done with your mother for my sake?"--- "What do you think you are? Do you run Dashiell Medical Center? My brother's been

"Your medical bills? Cut the act, how could you afford such steep expenses?

were relying on Remington, it's his choice. What's it

snickered, joining in

his mother-in-law or something. Just a distant cousin and she's this

move along. Is this a place to make

bothered everyone,

unable to save face, snapped, "What do you all know? How is this none of my

who am I supposed to be taking care of, and how

deep, stern voice

see Remington making his way through the crowd, with a visibly anxious

his voice filled with urgency and

my fault for accidentally bumping into Ethan, which let Mrs. Dashiell know you were here. The boss heard about it and immediately rushed back, worried about

Don't get me wrong, wasn't meddling in your affairs. I was just advising Lizetta, since she still needs your help with

cut off by Remington's

"The medical

al bills

for Thaddeus's

matter,' you mean Shirley publicly insulting Liz time and again, then would it

shameless, acting