Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Jerome's illness hit harder this time, and the doctor recommended a full two days of IV therapy.

He wasn't getting discharged until this afternoon, and Liz had promised him first thing in the morning that she'd be there to pick him up and they'd head back to Maple Cottage for a homemade dinner.

Upon hearing Liz agree to accompany him to the auction, Remington didn't push his luck any further and simply nodded.

"Alright, the auction starts at 8:30, so I'll pick you up from Maple Cottage at 8 sharp."

Liz nodded, then added, "Park your car on River Road. I'll walk over to meet you."

There was a moment of silence from Remington's end.

"Liz, am I that much of an embarrassment to you?"

After a brief pause, he sighed—a sigh that seemed to carry a weight of disappointment.

Liz started to feel guilty before she could even explain, Remington continued.noveldrama

"Are you falling for Jerome? Are you worried he'll find out you're going out with me? Liz, are you trying to play both sides? And to top it off, Jerome is the one in the clear."

He implied he was the secret.

Of course, that wasn't her intention. It was just that if Jerome saw Remington picking her up, her grandfather might find out.

After being hurt by Remington so deeply, and only having returned a few days ago, if her grandfather found out she had softened towards Remington...

Her grandfather would be furious.

Realizing this, Liz suddenly wondered if her romantic side was resurfacing. How else could she explain forgiving a man who had spent a whole night on his knees begging for her forgiveness?

She was starting to regret even giving Remington the chance to pursue her.

But then again, this situation wasn't entirely her fault.

He didn't even try to understand her situation and had the audacity to accuse her of playing both sides?

With that thought, Liz instantly became annoyed, huffing, "I only agreed to let you pursue me, that doesn't mean I've accepted your advances. Even if I decided to be with someone else right now it's none of your business!

If you're coming to pick me up, do it my way, or don't bother at all! I can go to the auction on my own."

Remington's voice, tight with frustration, seemed to pierce through the phone, causing Liz's heart to flutter uncontrollably.

However, after a moment, he simply replied with a touch of annoyance, "Liz, men have breast tissue too. If I end up with breast cancer, it'd be all your fault."

But from his words, it was clear he had given in.

Liz couldn't help feeling a secret thrill, a sense of him endlessly compromising,

indulging, and spoiling her.

Her voice softened as she finally said, "Then... see you tonight."

With that, she hung up first.

Just then, the taxi pulled up not far from Madden Media's building.

Liz made her way back to her department and was about to sit down when Lilian emerged from Laura's office and approached Liz's desk with a knock.

"Mrs. Laura wants to see you."

Liz looked at Lilian, who shot her a schadenfreude-filled glance before walking away.

Standing up, Liz knocked on Laura's office door, not expecting to find Andrea Porter inside as well.

Andrea was sitting on the couch,

enjoying a cupcake. Spotting Liz, she greeted her with a smile, "Liz, you're just getting in? It's nearly noon. the project department always this laid-back? If I had known, I would've

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asked my godmother to place me in the project department too."