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.

tried their best to lighten the mood, the guests couldn't stop

ladies mocking her, saying she was more of a country

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

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

say that, 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

face was devoid of any warmth, his voice and demeanor strangely

Remington instructed Ray, "Keep a

turned around, "Do you think this has something to do with

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

the possibility that Lizetta's

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 anyone's

hoped it was Lizetta's solo plan, without any accomplices. That way, she couldn't have gone

They searched all over Summer City but found no trace of

with too many people backstage to narrow down suspects, and the bustling

a

its myriad exits