Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

He chuckled at himself, no longer paying attention to his foolish brother. Leaning forward to pour himself a glass of bourbon, he thought, "Being this dumb, he's beyond saving. Maybe it's time to deal with Yolanda's mess myself."

But the moment he stopped engaging, Cassius seemed to become uneasy, inching closer to Remington. "Remi, why the cold shoulder?"

Remington remained silent, prompting an awkward and defiant response from Cassius. "Fine! If Remi won't deal with it, that's cool. I'm his brother, right? When your bro's been cuckolded, you're supposed to stand with him..."

Remington, disgusted, kicked Cassius, this time with real force. Cassius, completely unprepared, was sent flying off the couch, crashing onto the floor.

Looking up in disbelief, he exclaimed, "Remi!?"

Sipping his bourbon, Remington stated, "Get it straight. In this matter, I'm backing Yolanda."

It took a moment for Cassius to understand that Remington was referring to his alliance with Yolanda.

Annoyed, Cassius retorted, "Even as her ex, you wanna play the protective brother? Lizetta-no, it's Florence now. Has she even acknowledged you?"

Trying to wound with words as well, Cassius hit a nerve.

Remington was particularly sensitive to the term "ex-brother-in-law" today, hence the bar drinking. Hearing Cassius bring it up again, his eyes flared with anger.

Cassius, intimidated by that look, knew he couldn't win against Remington.

As the tension hung in the air, the door suddenly burst open. Timothy, in a striking purple and red silk shirt, announced loudly, "Remi, Cass, there's a brawl downstairs involving your ladies." "What woman do I have?!" Cassius grumbled, frustrated yet not daring to voice it.

He couldn't afford to provoke Remington, but Timothy didn't intimidate him.

Unperturbed, Timothy continued, amused, "Litchi and Ms. Yolanda. Since Ms. Yolanda isn't your lady, Cass, I guess I won't bother giving her any special treatment."

Before Timothy could finish, Remington strode past him out of the room, with Cassius cursing under his breath before leaping to his feet to follow.

Downstairs in the main lounge. Rewinding to ten minutes earlier.

Today was Margaret's "frenemy's" birthday, and they were celebrating here.

Just as the girls were suggesting calling in some new heartthrobs from their company to join the party, the door was suddenly slammed open.This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Margaret and her friends stopped their chatter, ready to lash out, but froze when they saw Mrs. Davis storm in with several bodyguards. The atmosphere instantly tensed.

Margaret's face fell as she glanced

at Jane, then stood up with a smile to greet her, feigning surprise, "Emily, what brings you here? Looking for a distraction? I've heard about the online drama, truly sorry for you. Come, join us..."

Margaret reached out to take Mrs. Davis's arm with a look of concem. Given the longstanding partnership between the Bright and Miller families, Margaret was usually adept at playing the gracious host.

But Mrs. Davis had been deceived by her once too many times. Had she not witnessed the betrayal live, she might have once again mistaken Margaret for a warm and о considerate "little sister."

"Back off, save me the act!"

Before Margaret could touch her, Mrs. Davis shoved her away fiercely.

"Ah!"

Margaret screamed as she stumbled backward into the massive three-tiered birthday cake, knocking it and its stand to the ground.