Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Stella's grip on her phone tightened, her voice steady but filled with shock.

"How would I know? You left in such a hurry. Is something wrong at the office?"

"Liz is missing."

"What? Wasn't Liz performing in Summer City? How could she just vanish?"

"She disappeared right before the show."

"Where could she have gone? Do you think she's upset because you were with me at the dinner and couldn't be there for her performance?"

Stella spoke with a soft, soothing tone, her words earnest. Yet, her palm was sweaty, and her eyes darkened.

Her welcome-back dinner had turned into a farce.

their best

guests, noticing Remington's departure, looked down on her even more. She overheard a few ladies mocking her, saying she was more of a country bumpkin than ever, unable to even wear

her emotions in check, added, "Is Liz's phone off too? Don't worry too much, Remington. Once we

he responded gently, "Sorry to disturb your welcome-back dinner. I'll make

Stella felt a sigh of relief, her voice lightening a bit, "It's okay. Just focus on finding Liz first. Girls need to be coddled sometimes. You talk

handsome face was devoid of

instructed Ray, "Keep a

around, "Do you think this has something

had run away on her own. But he found Stella's response odd. Besides, he told her Lizetta was missing. Most people would think of an accident or kidnapping

found it strange but couldn't rule out the possibility that Lizetta's disappearance made

reached out and massaged the bridge of his nose, "Barbara wants me to marry Stella. The West family has a motive. Check where Hogan and Jerome are too. Liz couldn't have vanished into thin air without

any accomplices. That way, she couldn't have gone far and would be found

all over Summer City but found no trace

was conveniently down during Lizetta's disappearance, with too many people backstage to narrow down suspects, and

a bustling port

with its myriad exits