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.

After Remington left, even though her parents tried their best to lighten the mood, the guests couldn't stop speculating.

Some 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 high heels properly.

Stella, struggling to keep her emotions in check, added, "Is Liz's phone off too? Don't worry too much, Remington. Once we find her, I'll help you explain."

"Alright." Remington's eyes were cold, yet he responded gently, "Sorry to disturb your welcome-back dinner. I'll make it up to you with a gift later."

Hearing him 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 sometimes. You talk to her. I won't bother you anymore. And take care of yourself, okay?"

Remington hummed softly, his voice warm. But his handsome face was devoid of any warmth, his voice and demeanor strangely disconnected.

After hanging up, Remington instructed Ray, "Keep a close watch on the West family."

Ray turned around, "Do you think this has something to do with the West family?"

Remington wasn't sure if Lizetta 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 first. Yet Stella, who'd been kidnapped before, immediately thought Lizetta had hidden away in anger.

Remington found it strange but couldn't rule out the possibility that Lizetta's disappearance made him feel everyone was suspicious now.

He 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 anyone's help!"

Still, Remington hoped it was Lizetta's solo plan, without any accomplices. That way, she couldn't have gone far and would be found soon.

Unfortunately, his hopes were dashed. They searched all over Summer City but found no trace of Lizetta.

The venue's surveillance was conveniently down during Lizetta's disappearance, with too many people backstage to narrow down suspects, and the bustling city streets offered no clues.

Summer City, a bustling port in

Havenport, with its myriad exits and

checkpoints like docks, train Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.

stations, airports, had all been thoroughly searched to no avail.

Lizetta had vanished as if into thin

air.

When Remington and his men broke into Jerome's temporary office in Summer City, Jerome was leisurely sitting at his desk, clipping a cigar.

Hearing the commotion, Jerome looked up, meeting the gaze of the men who entered - one relaxed and the other icy cold.

"Mr. Dashiell, such anger might scare people off. Cool down, have a cigar?" Jerome offered the freshly cut cigar, raising an eyebrow.

Remington didn't take it, instead swiftly grabbing Jerome by the collar and yanking him up from his chair, his voice stern.

"My wife was perfectly fine with her dance troupe before she disappeared. Don't you think you owe me an explanation, Mr. Madden? Where is she?!"