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.

even though her parents tried their best to

looked down on her even more. She overheard a few ladies mocking her, saying she was more

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

Remington's eyes were cold, yet he responded gently, "Sorry to disturb your welcome-back dinner.

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 to her. I won't bother you anymore.

face was devoid of any

up, Remington instructed Ray, "Keep a

has something to

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 first. Yet Stella, who'd been kidnapped before, immediately thought

it strange but couldn't rule out the possibility that Lizetta's disappearance made him feel everyone

marry Stella. The West family has a motive. Check where Hogan and Jerome are too. Liz couldn't have vanished into thin

any accomplices. That way, she couldn't have

They searched all over Summer City but found no

many people backstage to narrow down

City, a

its