Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Jerome nodded, "Just call me Big Bro, Liz sees you as a sister too."

He smiled warmly at Lizetta beside him before adding, "I'm Liz's brother, so by extension, I guess that makes me your brother too. No need for formalities. If you need anything regarding Yolanda's situation, the Madden Group's legal and PR teams are at your disposal."

Yolanda quickly thanked him, then said, "Then, please, call me Yolanda or Yoli."

Jerome looked puzzled, but Lizetta pursed her lips, understanding the underlying sentiment.

She knew Yolanda was reminded of Margaret. It seemed they both shared similar wounds.

Lizetta used to be called Liz, instantly reminding her of Stella, who was nicknamed Star.

And now, Cassius had brought another Margaret into the picture. It was unclear whose buttons he was trying to push.

Lizetta took Yolanda's hand and told Jerome, "Bro, I'm taking Yoli back to our room to chat."

Meanwhile, in the car.

Remington thought back to the moment Lizetta called Jerome "Bro" and ran towards him. He wasn't just jealous; he felt like he was drowning in it.

He recalled the rumors about Jerome being the adopted foster son of the Madden family. The image of Lizetta sweetly smiling at Jerome and Jerome looking at her with adoration felt like ants crawling over his skin, biting into his heart.

He couldn't even bear to think about what Lizetta's and Jerome's relationship was now.

The man loosened his tie in frustration and unbuttoned his shirt cuffs, shrouded in a gloom.

Cedric, driving, also pondered the recent scene.

His lady running towards Mr. Madden, their interaction compared to her formalities with the president, perfectly illustrated the difference between genuine closeness and polite distance.

Cedric felt a pang in his heart for his boss but kept his thoughts to himself for the sake of self-preservation.

"Boss, I think she was just trying to

tease you by calling you that. She even promised to take you out for dinner, that's an improvement, right? Plus, she just called me Cedric," he tried to reassure.

Remington's lips curved in a self-mocking smile, "Yeah, even you get to be a 'bro,' and she won't even call me Remi anymore."

Cedric felt a chill down his spine, hastily adding, "But boss, you're still a 'bro' in a way, an ex-husband bro, that counts for something, right? Don't feel down about it..." Realizing his slip of the tongue, Cedric braced for the cold glare from Remington.

"Ex-husband bro?" Remington's voice was tight.

Cedric remembered that although it

had been over four months since the divorce, Remington had never publicly acknowledged it, still

conducting himself as a married net

man. He hadn't even removed his wedding ring until they were on their way to see Lizetta, when Remington, for some reason, decided to take it off and put it in his pocket.

Cedric knew he had touched a sensitive topic.

"Boss, I didn't mean it that way..."

"Stop the car!"

Before Cedric could finish, Remington's command cut through the air.

Cedric quickly pulled over, and within a minute, he stood on the roadside, watching Remington drive away, tears streaming down his face.

With the lady back, life seemed even harder than before.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.