Female Novel
Chapter 104
Chapter 104
Sure, she knew them, but they didn’t know her from a can of paint.
When Lizetta thought about Remington splashing out big bucks for Evelina’s music, shedidn’t feel it strange.
“Probably, yeah.”
“Pfft, with Evelina’s violin skills, trying to hit it big in the art scene is a dead end. No wonder she’s shelling out for tunes. She’s gother sights set on using her violinist gig as a stepping stone before diving headfirst into showbiz.”
Yolanda clicked her tongue, clearly unimpressed.
Lizetta kept mum. Remington was laying down the red carpet for Evelina, spoon—feeding her opportunities, even stooping towine and dine with her. Talked about bending over backward.
Just thinking about Evelina’s Facebook post about changing the dressing made Lizetta wanna hurl.
When Remington's gaze floated over, Lizetta quickly looked down, scalded the curry with hot water, and placed them in front ofYolanda and Hogan.
“Remi! Are you just gonna stand there and watch them pick on me?” Shirley whined for ages, but Remington didn’t even bat aneyelid, which really ticked her off.
Remington’s eyes were still on Lizetta, noticing how her smile vanished into thin air the moment she saw him, and how shefussed over some other dude.
The man’s handsome face turned a shade darker as he withdrew his gaze.“What do you mean, ‘picking on you“?”
“| went over to say ‘hi' to Hogan and Lizetta, all excited, and her friend comes at me with water to throw in my face! Lizettadoesn’t even take my side and starts mocking me, saying I’m cheap.”
Shirley made up a sob story, looking all wronged.
Lizetta stood up and strutted over, chin up, her gaze at Remington dripping with sarcasm, “Remington, why are you hanging outwith these two?”
Evelina’s eyes welled up, “Sis, are you mad?”
“Not at all,” Lizetta said, the picture of innocence.
“Then why'd you talk to Remington like that? You must've gotten it wrong.”
Shirley felt like she’d heard Lizetta’s words before. Realizing what was happening, she quickly tugged at Evelina.
Evelina turned, seeing Shirley looking all panicky. She was confused, but Shirley was mentally cursing her for being such a lousywingman today.
Lizetta smirked, “You got it wrong. | was just saying ‘hi’ to you guys, exactly like Ms. Shirley Dashiell did just now!Evelina was mortified, and Shirley was on the verge of actual tears.Remington cast a cold glance at her, “You call that a happy greeting?”
Shirley felt embarrassed and wronged. Evelina opened her mouth to defend her, but she was the one who had just accusedLizetta of having an attitude.novelbin
“Apologize!” Remington commanded Shirley coldly.1/3
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Shirley bit her lip, stubborn as ever. Lizetta scoffed and waved it off, “Forget it, it’s more than you can handle. Just don’t disturbour meal, okay?”
She turned to leave, but Remington grabbed her wrist.
“Shirley,” he said, his voice calm but clearly displeased.
Shirley looked up, eyes red, “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry to whom?” Remington’s patience was wearing thin.
Shirley's tears started to fall; this time her apology seemed a lot more genuine, at least on the surface.“Lizetta, I'm sorry for disturbing your meal.”
Lizetta nodded coolly and struggled to signal Remington to let go. Remington looked at Yolanda and Hogan, “Since we'vebumped into each other, let's all head to the private
room.”Lizetta pulled her hand away, “No need, we’ve already ordered.”
Evelina said with a smile, “They can bring the dishes to the private room; come on sis, it’s been ages since we had a mealtogether after | came back.”
She tried to link arms with Lizetta, who dodged with a raised hand, fed up, “No, thanks.”Evelina bit her lip, “Sis, are you still mad at me?”
Yolanda walked over and put her arm around Lizetta’s shoulders, “Ms. Hawthorne, you always have so much on your mind. | getsocial anxiety, | get indigestion around strangers, and of course, Liz needs to consider that.”
She walked off with Lizetta, while Remington’s gaze lingered on Hogan for a moment before leading the others away.Lizetta sat back down, and Yolanda gave her a thumbs up.
“Liz, your acting’s not bad either; you nailed that Shrew Shirley!”
“Shrew Shirley?”
Hogan explained, “She’s like some woman who always stay with nostrils in the air, stinking to high heaven, and is practically arat.”
She turned to Hogan, “Hogan, you know Shirley?”
Hogan simply said, “Met a few times, not close.”
“But Ms. Shirley Dashiell seems to have a huge crush on you, Dr. White,” Yolanda teased, her eyes like a love radar.
Hogan’s smile grew slowly, “But I’ve already got someone | have a crush on, and it’s not
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Ms. Shirley Dashiell.”
His gaze unintentionally fell on Lizetta, who caught the overly tender look behind his glasses and paused, her mind elsewhere.
Shirley had got her nose in the air, and Hogan was clearly from a notable family. But Lizetta hadn’t heard Hogan talk about it, norhad she seen him in the usual circles; she always thought Hogan was just a regular doctor.
“Evelina’s planning to break into showbiz? The folks she was with are big names in the industry,” Yolanda mentioned, as she wasfrom a film academy and, though she hadn't landed a role yet, she’d been on movie sets doing stunts, so she knew her showbizfolks.
way around
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Then the waiter brought the dishes, and Yolanda, not wanting to make Lizetta feel awkward, dropped the subject.
But no sooner than the food hit the table, Hogan’s phone buzzed. Picking up, he frowned after a few words.
“What's up, Hogan?”
“Got an emergency. | need to dash back for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. Sorry, afraid | can’t give you a ride later.”He stood up, and Lizetta quickly waved him off, “Go!”
Hogan gave an apologetic smile and made a beeline for the exit.
“Man, being a doc is no cakewalk. Can’t even enjoy a good meal.”
Yolanda sighed and was about to dig in when she realized she was about to chow down on some sliced beef. Her utensilquivered, and the beef plunged back into her plate.
Lizetta couldn't help but snicker at her startled reaction.
The restaurant was decked out in traditional style. Hogan stepped out and paused in the courtyard, looking up at the secondfloor.
Gingko leaves tinged with autumn hues, the carved windows open to the east, a man in a black suit stood at the window, themidday sun dancing across his sharp brow, not softening his aura of aloof solitude one bit.
It was Remington, a man green with jealousy.
The moment Hogan got the call from the hospital, he knew this wasn’t just a coincidence.
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Remington’s hand was all over it.
Eyes locked, Hogan’s expression stayed put, giving a cordial nod before striding away. He was a doctor, after all. Whether thesurgery was legit or not, he couldn't afford to waste time.
Lizetta had 2 small appetite. Even though she was eating for two now, by the time she was fuli, Yolanda was just getting into theswing of things.
Good thing that girl worked off her food with all the exercises she did. Lizetta told her to take her time and headed for therestroom.
While washing her hands, voices started up outside.
“Eve, I’m so jealous of you. Remi loves you so much, thinking of everything for you. With Remi paving the way, you'll be A-listthis time next year!”
“You too, let’s give it our all.”Shirley and Evelina came in all lovey—dovey, not a hint of surprise on Lizetta’s face.
Shirley wanted to savor Lizetta’s green—eyed misery, but Lizetta’s face gave away nothing. She barely glanced at them beforemaking a beeline for the door.
Evelinstepped forward, and Lizetta hastily retreated, moving so quickly it nearly gave Shirley a fright.“What's your deal? Jumping at shadows!” Shirley snapped.
Lizetta smirked, “Gotta watch out for scammers, right? If she takes a tumble and blames me for hurting her little golden nugget,who am | gonna argue with?”
Lizetta grabbed her phone, hit record, and faced Shirley and Evelina as she walked away.Shirley, fuming, grabbed Lizetta, mindful of the recording, and changed her tune.
“Sorry about that, Lizetta. We didn’t realize you were here. Remi’s setting up a showbiz company for Eve, making her a star. Youheard all about it, right? The folks we dined with today are big-name directors and producers. You don’t mind, do you?
By the way, Remi dropped 200 grand just so Eve could play her idol’s tune once. Bet you never guessed Remi had such aromantic side, huh?”
Lizetta raised an eyebrow. She knew alright. Remington wasn’t being romantic; he was being played for a sucker.Evelina’s smile was radiant, “Sis, you’re so pretty; why not join us in showbiz? Don’t worry; I'll talk to Remington for you.”
Shirley immediately chimed in, “Eve, you're too kind. Showbiz is all about being loved. You need good connections to make it.What hope does Lizetta have?”
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The insinuation was clear: Lizetta was the type people loved to hate,
Lizetta couldn’t stand their bragging and boasting, She nodded, her gaze landing on Evelina’s belly.
“No offense, but I’ve never seen a baby bump debut. But hey, you’re a special case, Who knows, maybe you'll make it big ridingon that bump, Good luck.”
She shook off Shirley’s grasp and walked away, leaving behind a trail of Shirley’s indignantcurses.
Heading back to the main hall, Lizetta didn’t expect to be swept up by a strong arm around her waist and pushed against the walljust as she rounded the corner.