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.

She immediately declared her stance, "Liz grew up in the Dashiell family, she's one of us. Even if Liz's brother was treated at Dashiell Memorial, it's entirely justified. I'm not like you, playing favorites."

Wendy looked even more mortified, as if sitting on pins and needles.

Remington didn't dwell further on the hospital issue; instead, he pulled out a credit card.

"This card is familiar to all of us; every member of the Dashiell family has one. Every month, a certain amount is deposited into it from family trust. This one is Liz's. She

never

the

rtook ok it 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, even tens of thousands."

Laying the card and the bank statements on the table, his voice deepened,

"In our divorce, I was at fault, but Liz left with nothing. While this might not concern everyone here, I still think it's important you all know."

Remington's gaze swept the room, finally resting on Lizetta. His eyes dimmed slightly as he continued,

"Even though Liz was raised as a Dashiell, she owes the family nothing. I don't want to hear any more derogatory remarks about her or see anyone looking down on her, using so-called favors to manipulate her."

His voice, 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. Her taste was

metallic, her face pale.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Her eyes teary, she looked at Fiona, but Fiona wasn't looking at her granddaughter. Instead, she was holding Lizetta's hand tightly.

"Remington speaks for me as well.

Liz doesn't just owe nothing to the

Dashiell family; it's the Dashiell family that owes her a great deal. Let's not forget, Liz saved my life as a childOver the years, she's looked after me and kept me company more than any of you, showing true filial piety. From now on, anyone who dares speak ill of my lifesaver will face family discipline!"