She strutted over and plopped down on the edge of the hospital bed, fussing with her manicured nails.


    “Well then, I guess I’ll just have to hit up my inws; they’re a couple of sweethearts. Or maybe I’ll


    swing by the Starlight Group and corner my dear son–inw.”


    *Over my dead body!” Lizetta stopped dead in her tracks, whirling around to shoot Jolin a piercing


    re.


    It was Jolin’s constant badgering for money from the Dashiell family that made her feel like she couldn’t


    hold her head high.


    But why would Jolin care about her daughter’s well–being? She was only ever out for number one,


    laughing all shamelessly.


    “You’re the preciousdy of the Dashiell family, aren’t you? Just be a good girl, fork over the cash, and


    we’re square.”


    Lizetta felt a chill run through her, but she couldn’t chain down Jolin’s legs. She had given Jolin ess


    to her cards, but her mom’s greed knew no bounds.


    Lizetta had lost her temper, threatened, pleaded, but Jolin was like a stone wall; she only wanted to


    leech off Lizetta.


    Not a dime did Lizetta give, and Jolin would go and block Nathan at the entrance to the Dashiell Group.


    It was an ugly scene, not long after she and Remington had tied the knot. Nathan had summoned her


    to the mansion’s study, didn’t scold her, and just left her standing there all night long.


    Came morning, and his secretary handed her a card with a message, “The Dashiell family has taken


    care of you without expecting anything in return, but the least you could do is not drag our name


    through the mud over and over.”


    “I’m not asking for a fortune; I’m your mother for crying out loud. After all, I raised you. Is it such a crime


    to spend a little of your money?”


    Jolin said,ing over to try and snatch Lizetta’s purse, wanting to rummage through it herself.


    Lizetta jerked away violently, sending Jolin stumbling a step back, livid as she pointed and cursed,


    “How dare youy hands on your mother! You ungrateful brat!”


    The rage on Lizetta’s face faded to cold indifference, “I’m not giving you a penny! Make a scene


    wherever you like. I can’t wait to be divorced. If you want to add fuel to the fire, be my guest.”


    She turned and left, Jolin recalling the divorce papers that had fallen from Lizetta’s bagst time, panic


    shing across her face.


    “You little devil! You’re not seriously considering divorce, are you? Look, drop the money thing; just


    don’t do anything stupid”


    She chased out of the ward, fuming as she stared at Lizetta’s retreating figure, who didn’t


    look back once.


    “Eve still sends me 2 grand a month as a token of respect, what’s the big deal if I ask you for some


    cash?”


    Lizetta stopped in her tracks, turning around, “Evelina gives you 2 thousand a month? Since when?”


    Jolin, looking guilty, quickly said, “What I mean is, if you won’t give it to me, I ask Eve. She’s dutiful, not


    cold–hearted like you, living the high life while your own mother scrapes by!”


    Lizetta couldn’t be bothered with her anymore and simply walked away. She entered the elevator,


    thoughts on Remington’s injury, and made a detour to the hematology department to consult the doctor


    who had taken the blood samples.


    After leaving the doctor’s office, Lizetta couldn’t help butugh in exasperation.


    Night fell.


    Lizetta, half–asleep, was jolted awake by the relentless vibration of her phone. Frowning. she grabbed


    it without looking and answered.


    “Where are you? When are youing back?”


    Remington’s impatient voice, cold as striking jade, cut through the silence of the night and jolted Lizetta


    fully awake.


    “Come back to warm your bed? Mr. Dashiell, you’ve called the wrong person!”


    She was about to hang up when the man’s voice came through again, “Forgot to mention, Mrs.


    Dashiell, if you’re so inclined toe back and warm my bed, I wouldn’t say no.”


    “Hah,” Lizettaughed sarcastically.


    As she was about to disconnect, he added, “My wound seems to be festering.”


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    “Festering?”


    Remington mistook her response for concern, a smile curling his lips, but then he heard her cold,


    impatient voice.


    “So what if it’s festering? Wait till it’s crawling with maggots, then give me a call. I’ll be sure to rush over


    to watch.”


    Lizetta ended the call without giving Remington a chance to respond, hanging up irritably She tossed


    her phone aside; it wasn’t two minutes before it buzzed again.


    Fuming, she answered, and this time Remington’s voice was calmer, deeper, more soothing, “You


    found out, did you?”


    Lizettaughed coldly, “Found out you’ve been ying me for a fool? It’s not my gullibility that’s to


    me. I’ve seen plenty of people wish illness on others, but you’re the first I’ve seen curse themselves


    with sickness. Mr. Dashiell, with your acting chops, why waste time being a CEO? Why not join Evelina


    in showbiz? The two of you could sweep all the awards in the industry with your deceitful duo act!”


    Her voice was filled with anger and mockery, a sharpness uncharacteristic of her nature. “Lizetta!”


    Remington’s veins bulged with frustration; he called her name sternly, and then softened his tone,


    trying to cajole her.


    “I didn’t mean to deceive you; I just wanted you to worry, to care about me. I want you toe home! I


    need you, Lizetta; our marriage is no joke!”