Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington seemed to revel in the discomfort he was causing, grabbing a folder from Cedric and waving it in the air.

"Here, take a look at this. It's a record of Wendy's family's visits and expenses at Dashiell Memorial over the years. Just her two brothers, parading an array of girlfriends for abortions, spending tens of thousands a year, and all under false names, using Ethan's ID. And that's not even touching on the rest of Wendy's family, who seem to find themselves in need of medical attention for every little headache or fever. Wendy, who exactly is leeching off the Dashiell family's resources?"

Wendy's face turned beet red, Ethan even more so, his grip on her tightening in fury.

"What's this about your brothers using my name for their escapades? This is slander! To anyone not in the know, it'd look like I'm the villain here! Your brothers gallivanting around town, and I'm left holding the bag? Wendy, you call yourselves respectable? You make the Gardenia family look saintly by comparison, and you've got the nerve to criticize others?"

Ethan's words left Mrs. Dashiell unable to raise her head in pride, her mouth opening and closing in a failed attempt at defense. The truth was plain to see, leaving her with no room to argue, only to respond in frustration,

"It's not just us, your family is no different..."

Mrs. Dashiell indeed had her fair share of these incidents over the years, especially given the Dashiell Group owned the hospital, naturally facilitating her own family's use. Fiona, always forgiving, and both Nathan and Remington had never made a fuss about it. But now, with Remington bringing it all to light, it was a moment of acute embarrassment, especially with Wendy dragging her into it.

in the Dashiell family, she's one of us. Even if Liz's brother was treated at Dashiell

more mortified, as

dwell further on the hospital issue; instead, he pulled out a

of the Dashiell family has one. Every month, a certain amount is deposited into it from family trust.

never

the

with her, and the balance has only gone up over the years. Since she was fourteen, she's been adding money to it herself, anything from a few hundred to a few thousand,

bank statements on the table,

but Liz left with nothing. While this might not concern everyone here, I still think

resting on Lizetta. His eyes dimmed slightly as he

she owes the family nothing. I don't want to hear any more derogatory remarks about her or see anyone looking down on her,

deep and firm, carried a warning look towards Shirley. Shirley felt a chill run down her spine, fully, aware that Remington's admonition was directed mostly at her. Biting her lip until it bled, her sense of superiority as Ms. Shirley Dashiell of the Dashiell family, all her pride, felt utterly shattered.