Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1278

Inside the lavishly decorated living room of the targeted villa, a massive crystal chandelier cast a brilliant glow.

Sitting on the plush sofa was a woman in her fifties, styled impeccably like an aristocratic socialite. She was focused on the television, which was broadcasting the evening financial news.

As footage of Eartha being publicly escorted away by the police flashed across the screen, the faux-socialite scowled deeply at her employer's humiliating downfall.

Beside her sat a younger woman with heavy makeup and shifting, terrified eyes. She lowered her voice to a frantic whisper.

"Mom, Eartha is already behind bars. The Madden and Dashiell families are terrifyingly powerful. We just kidnapped the sole heir to both empires. If..."

The anxious speaker was the daughter-in-law, while the elegantly dressed older woman was none other than Eartha's former maid, Martha.

Anyone who had known Martha during her days serving the Porter family would never recognize her now.

Not only had her posture and aura completely transformed, but her facial features had been drastically altered.

To an outsider, she appeared to be nothing more than a pampered, wealthy matriarch, erasing every trace of her past as a lowly servant.

Thanks to years of luxurious living and extensive plastic surgery, she looked at least a decade younger than her actual age.

Hearing her daughter-in-law's panic, Martha shot her a venomous glare and cut her off.

"Have you forgotten that you were the one who tricked Winnie and dragged that kid out of Oakridge Heights? Do you honestly think we can just wash our hands of this now? You think the Dashiells and Maddens will just let us walk away?"

The daughter-in-law's face drained of color. "But Mom, the entire city is on lockdown. If we stay here, they're going to find us eventually!"

Her voice pitched higher, trembling violently.

"You think abandoning Eartha and fleeing abroad guarantees our safety? You think you can comfortably spend her money while leaving her to rot? You are incredibly naive. If we do that, we'll be dead before we can enjoy a single dime!"

Martha understood Eartha better than anyone.

A paranoid mastermind like Eartha never trusted anyone blindly. She undoubtedly had contingencies in place.

Their only option was to execute the plan, secure Eartha's release, and flee the country together.

If Eartha went down, Martha's family would be the next bodies to drop.

The brutal reality of Martha's words drained whatever color remained from the younger woman's face. She shivered uncontrollably, feeling as though a guillotine was suspended directly over her neck, ready to drop at any second.