Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington didn't glance back, his voice low and icy.

"Liz, if you've truly moved on, don't plan on looking back, then be as cold as you can towards me."

With those words, he pulled open the door and strode out.

Lizetta, "..."

What a jerk, she thought. If she gives him any more attention, she might as well be a fool!

Let him be overwhelmed, for all she cared!

Once Remington was outside, Ray approached him and said, "Mr. Remington Dashiell, Ralap has fled."

Ralap had brought people over, but cleverly, Ralap didn't show up himself tonight.

Ray, not having spotted Ralap, had immediately ordered the men stationed outside to capture him, but somehow Ralap still managed to slip away.

Remington's brow furrowed deeply as he spoke in a cold voice.

"Double down on the search efforts. We need to find him alive!"

Catching the culprit was crucial, as Ralap was Barbara Daisynes West's nephew and the operative this time.

If he got away, the evidence would be insufficient, and many details would remain unclear.

Hearing Remington's tone, Ray felt a surge of alarm.

"Is Mr. Remington Dashiell worried that the West family will find out and attempt to silence the matter?"

Remington massaged his temples, weary, and simply said, "Go."

To Remington, the Wests had always felt like family.

He had never doubted the Wests' integrity, carrying a heavy guilt towards the West family. He saw the Wests as kind, generous, and forgiving.

After the incident with Stella, Martin, Barbara, and Quentin never blamed him.

They all silently endured the hardships, showing tolerance and kindness.

Because of this, he had held the Wests in high esteem and trust. However, the recent events had left Remington uncertain about how to view the family he once trusted so completely.

In Zion City.

At the West family's villa, Barbara's face was a portrait of distress. Sitting in a wheelchair, she fidgeted with a rosary, trying to contain her agitation.

Ralap had found people to act tonight, and she knew about it.

But by now, dawn was breaking over Luminesia, and there was still no word.

Ralap was also unreachable directly, leaving Barbara with an ominous feeling. Yet, she clung to a thread of hope.

Then, the sharp ring of a phone broke the silence-it was Stella calling.

Barbara immediately answered, only to be greeted by Stella's panicked voice.

"Mom, we've been duped. I'm in Oakmont, and Remington isn't here at all. He wasn't on a business trip!

He's been so calm these past days, as if he's given up on finding Lizetta. It's all been a deception. Has he suspected me all along?

Mom, he must have gone abroad, searching for that woman! Could it be that cousin was targeted the moment he left?"

Stella had believed Remington's sudden announcement of a business trip.

For the past few days, her attempts to contact Remington had received normal responses.

Stella hadn't been suspicious, but

with Remington's prolonged

absence, she grew restless and net

traveled from Zion City to Oakmont yesterday.

She wanted to surprise Remington, only to discover he wasn't in Oakmont at all.

Stella was in total panic, and hearing this, Barbara's heart sank, her face darkening.

"Mom, could something have happened to cousin? What do we do?"NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

Listening to her daughter's cries of despair, Barbara's gnarled fingers tightened around her phone, her expression turning vindictive.

"If he can't handle this simple task, he needn't bother returning!"