Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Get in my car," Remington insisted before Lizetta could even nod in agreement, his grip on her arm tightening abruptly, a storm brewing in his deep eyes.

"Is he coming to dinner too?" Lizetta glanced at Remington, her tone light. "I didn't say I was inviting Mr. Dashiell alone, did I? Is there a problem?"

Her casual remark seemed to infuriate Remington even further. She hadn't made it explicitly clear. Yet, Remington felt as though he'd been played for a fool, having dressed up and looked forward to this day, now feeling utterly ridiculous.

But walking away in anger would probably delight Jerome the most, which was the last thing Remington wanted. Gritting his teeth, Remington managed to say through clenched jaws, "No problem, just get in my car! We need to talk."Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

Seeing his stern and forbidding look, Lizetta hesitated, fearing Remington might lose his temper again. That's when Jerome chimed in.

"Liz, Grandma and Grandpa are going to call later. They want to know how your first day went," he reminded her gently.

Instantly, Lizetta tried to shake off Remington's grip, "Mr. Dashiell, you heard. I..."

Unable to break free and halfway through her sentence, she found herself being pulled closer into Remington's arms by a strong tug. Simultaneously, Jerome's hand tightened into a fist.

Caught between the two men, Lizetta felt her soul nearly leap out of her body in fright.

"Let go!"

"You're hurting her!"

Both men spoke at once, their glares locking in a fierce duel. Lizetta felt a headache coming on, her appetite for dinner rapidly diminishing. She regretted her rash decision to invite Jerome on impulse.

Exasperated, she exclaimed, "Both of you, let go of me!"

Her voice rang clear in the parking lot, unmistakably angry. Remington and Jerome released her at the same time, and Lizetta, shaking off her arms, quickly headed towards Jerome's car.

Jerome's lips curled slightly as he watched Remington, whose mood had visibly darkened. Just as he was about to follow Lizetta, she got into the passenger seat and slammed the car door shut. Jerome paused, a hint of surprise on his face as Lizetta buckled up and instructed the driver, "Let's go."

The driver, who worked for the Madden family and knew how much Nelson and Jerome doted on the long-awaited returnee to the Madden family, didn't hesitate and drove off with Lizetta.

Left behind, Remington and Jerome watched the car drive away, each snorting coldly. Remington turned and headed towards his own car, with Jerome following behind to pull open the back seat door.

Remington bit out, "Does Mr. Madden see me as his chauffeur now?"

If it weren't for Jerome, Remington would've driven after Lizetta already, not wanting to miss the chance to have dinner with her. Jerome raised an eyebrow at Remington's comment.

"I'll sit in the passenger seat if Mr. Dashiell doesn't mind. But it's fine by me either way."

Letting go of the back seat door

handle, with Lizetta's earlier words in

mind and recalling the passenger

seat he had prepared for her, complete with a cushion, only Jerome to take that spot now.... Remington felt a chill of disgust, "Forget it. Just sit in the back."

Jerome, who had just reached for the passenger door, paused, "..