Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington instinctively raised his hand to steady the woman who had stumbled into him. However, the scent that enveloped him wasn't the familiar fragrance he was used to, and the figure in his arms felt broader and larger than the petite woman he was accustomed to. "Remington, I'm so sorry, I tripped over something. Thank goodness you were there to catch me, thank you..." The woman brushed her long hair behind her ear, revealing her face. It was Stella.

The smile vanished from Remington's deep-set eyes as he gently pushed the woman away.

A realization struck Remington; the Ms. West that President Winters had mentioned in the elevator must have been Stella. With a cool lift of his eyebrows, he replied, "No need for thanks."

Stella's eyes initially brightened, only to dim again as Remington added, "I mistook you for someone else." The implication was clear: had he known it was her, he would have avoided her. Stella's smile froze, and her eyes began to well up with tears.

"Remington, I'm here to discuss a partnership with the Starlight Group for their annual gala. I just wanted to say hi since I ran into you. Is there a need for such sarcasm?" Hurt and indignant, Stella voiced her feelings.

Remington remained unfazed. "Well, you've said your hello." Time to disappear. With that, he turned to leave, remembering someone was waiting for him.

But just as he was about to walk away, a thought stopped him in his tracks. Turning back to Stella, he asked, "I lost a cufflink last night. Have you seen it?" The cufflinks were a gift from Lizetta, and he noticed one was missing when he He

returned home late last nigh

had searched everywhere to no avail, suspecting he might have lost it at the hospital. His team had nearly turned the place upside down looking for it.

Stella's heart skipped a beat, remembering that Lizetta had taken the cufflink. Expecting Lizetta to confront Remington about it, Stella forced a smile. "That cufflink was from Liz, wasn't it? I recognized the initials engraved on it." Remington's gaze darkened as he extended his hand. "Give it to me!"

Stella smiled tightly, "The cufflink probably got torn off by Ron during the scuffle last night. I picked it up immediately but don't have it on me anymore..." Seeing Remington's brows furrow further, Stella curled her fingers nervously by her side.

Jealousy and resentment filled her.

Why did a small item Lizetta gave matter so much to Remington, yet her clearly injured hand wrapped in bandages went unnoticed by him? Trying to suppress her frustration Stella explained, "Remington, don't get me wrong. I didn't throw the cufflink away. I intended to return it to you, but I ran into Liz at the parking lot. Since the cufflink was hers to begin with, I gave it back to her. Liz seemed to misunderstand something; she got angry, pushed me to the ground, and that's how I got hurt." NôvelDrama.Org content.

The cufflink had been snatched away by Lizetta. To prevent Lizetta from complaining to Remington, Stella decided to explain her side of the story first. After all, only she and Lizetta were present during the incident. Even if Remington decided to check the surveillance footage, it wouldn't capture their conversation, only Lizetta pushing her to the ground.

Having said her piece, Stella stepped forward, raising her bandaged hand, hoping this time Remington would show some concern.