Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption ( Lizetta )

Jack's voice was filled with an endless sense of grievance and accusation, yet it seemed to hold back anger, suddenly sounding beside Liz's neck.

It was as if he was about to bite her at any moment.

Liz shivered slightly, tilting her head just a bit.

Thinking about how Remington's Starlight Enterprises and West Enterprises were still closely collaborating, and how Stella was still appearing at Starlight Enterprises as the future lady of the house. Even the top brass at Starlight Enterprises were rolling out the red carpet for Stella.

Liz truly believed it was a possibility.

Her lips curled into a cool smile, "What? Struck a nerve, so now you're getting defensive?"

Her gaze was cold yet captivating.

Even though she was clearly upset with him, and purposely misinterpreting his intentions, Jack couldn't find it in himself to be angry at her.

He lifted her chin, his handsome face suddenly very close.

So close their noses touched, their breath mingling.

Liz held her breath, her eyes asking what he intended to do.

Jack gazed at her intently, his lips barely moving, "Let's see where I'm being defensive, shall we?"

His lips brushed against hers, almost imperceptibly.

Liz tilted her head back slightly, dodging his breath, "If you have something to say, say it. Don't pull these moves."

"Which moves?"

Jack raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing in his eyes.

Obviously, the charm offensive.

But Liz didn't want to say it outright, as if admitting she had no resistance to his charm.

She glared at him, and Jack chuckled softly, clearly amused.

Before she could get more irritated, he sobered up, patiently explaining.

"When we were kidnapped together, I was a victim too. I didn't owe her anything. My guilt was just my own conscience. Over the years, I've supported the Wests, looked after Mr. and Mrs. West, brought Stella back, helped stabilize the stock market for the West family, and ensured Quinn's posthumous child was safely born... If there was any debt, I've long since repaid it."

Jack's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Actually, found something else. When Stella and I were kidnapped, there was a municipal project up for bidding. That project was practically in Dashiell Enterprises' pocket, just waiting for formalities.

But because of the kidnapping, the Dashiell family was distracted with the search, delaying the project's progress.

Martin West, however, managed to pull some strings during this time. After I was found, Stella remained missing.

The Dashiell family felt guilty towards the Wests, and my grandmother decided to give the project to the West family, withdrawing from the bid."

At the time, he was too young to remember anything about the incident.

He'd known about it later but had never delved deeper due to his trust in the Wests.

It was only after Liz's incident that he began to seriously doubt the Wests and re-investigated the past.

And then he discovered that the West family had already been on the decline,

It was the project conceded by Dashiell Enterprises that had revived the failing West family, making it crucial for their resurgence.

Liz looked at Jack, her thoughts stirring, frowning.

"But that doesn't make sense. Weren't Mr. and Mrs. West said to be deeply in love, treating Stella as their precious treasure from a young age?

If the Dashiell family was delayed by the kidnapping, Martin should have been desperate to find his daughter, grieving deeply. How could he have instead focused on pulling strings, busy with competing for the project?"