Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Lizetta met Stella's challenging gaze with a slight curl of her lips.

She knew Stella wanted her to publicly admit she no longer loved Remington. It would embarrass him, hurt his feelings, and dampen Fiona's spirits. Why not?

Although Lizetta didn't want Remington to misunderstand, she was even less inclined to let Stella have her moment of triumph, and she certainly didn't want to disrespect the family matriarch. She chuckled lightly, "Ms. West, why are you so curious about my love life? Who I love or don't seems to be none of your business."

Stella, not achieving her goal, pushed further.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Liz, why won't you answer the question directly?"

Lizetta, growing impatient with her persistence, was about to retort when Remington, with a frown, interjected.

"Whether she loves me or not, I know best. We don't need an outsider to ask on my behalf. Grandma, let's eat."

Stella bit her lip, glanced at Remington with a hurt look, but ultimately didn't dare to say more and bowed her head.

Remington stood up to serve both Fiona and Lizetta a bowl of soup.

Out of politeness, Fiona asked Stella, "Stella, have you had dinner yet?"

Stella was about to say no, intending to inform Fiona that she hadn't eaten because she was busy bringing over the freshly made bird's nest soup. But before she could speak, Remington cut in. "Grandma, it's dinner time. If she hasn't eaten, wouldn't that mean she's here to freeload? Ms. West wouldn't do something so impolite."

Stella's eyes reddened even more, but she could only nod with a forced smile.

"Fiona, I've eaten. I mainly came to bring you some bird's nest soup. Let me serve you a bowl to try?"

Saying this, Stella opened her thermos and, still smiling, reached for a soup bowl.

Despite feeling unwelcome, she refused to leave.

Standing there was her way of aggravating Lizetta. If she left, who knows if the old lady might manage to reconcile them?

Stella, with a subservient smile, served the bird's nest soup to Fiona, bending slightly as she offered it.

"Fiona, please try this. Let Remington and Liz enjoy their meal. I'll take care of you. Just tell me if there's anything you'd like." Her face was the picture of docility, bending slightly, a classic image of a devoted young wife attending to an elder.

However, Fiora felt more annoyed

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than flattered by Stella's attempts to ingratiate herself. Rather than feeling charmed, she saw Stella lacking tact, wondering what schemes she had been up to behind the scenes.

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Considering the long-standing relationship between their families and the hardships Stella had endured over the years, Fiona had felt sympathy for her and did not want to be too harsh. But Stella's insistence on displeasure was too much.

Fiona glanced at the bird's nest soup Stella had placed before her, "I'm on a herbal diet lately, there are many things can't eat. This bird's nest is nourishing, but Liz would benefit from it more."

Fiona then passed the bowl of bird's nest soup to Lizetta.

"Liz, try this."

Stella clenched her fists, her face a mask of barely concealed displeasure.

Fiona's actions relegated her to the role of a servant attending to a young mistress.

Without hesitation, Lizetta stirred the soup with a spoon and took a sip commenting, "It's alright, but it might have too much sugar, a bit too

sweet for me, I'm afraid it'll spoil my appetite."

Dropping the spoon, Stella was visibly shaking with anger.

Yet, Remington just smiled indulgently at Lizetta, suggesting, "Then don't have any more. You've developed a taste for spicy food lately, haven't you? Try this dish first."