chapter1876

A subtle thread of doubt drifted through Stella's mind.

It was as if something flashed across her consciousness, but it was moving too fast

for her to grasp.

However, she was far too exhausted. Her foggy brain simply didn't have the energy to puzzle out what felt so wrong.

As if sensing her gaze, Joshua leaned over to press a kiss to her forehead and gently tucked the covers around her.

"Go to sleep. I'll wake you up this afternoon so you won't be late for your plans." She was entirely spent. The moment she closed her eyes, she was fast asleep. Joshua watched her, his gaze dark and unfathomable, a deeply complex emotion swirling in the depths of his eyes.

...

True to his word, Joshua woke her up right on time.

Her plans with Neville were for the evening, so having the whole afternoon to rest left her feeling reasonably refreshed instead of completely drained.

They were just about to head out to meet Neville when Stella's phone rang. It was Mr. Burton.

"Stella, can you and Joshua Gardner come over to my place right now? I have an urgent matter I need to discuss with you two."

Her mind immediately jumped to what Neville had told her the night before about Sellers going missing.

For Neville to have called her that late, he had definitely been trying to give her a heads-up.

"All right," she agreed. "Joshua and I will be right there."

After hanging up, she gave Neville a quick call.

When he heard that Mr. Burton had summoned them, Neville didn't miss a beat. "I haven't seen Mr. Burton in ages. I'd love to pay my respects as well. You wouldn't mind if I tag along, would you, Star?"

She hesitated for a split second. "Not at all."

They agreed to meet outside Mr. Burton's estate.

Forty minutes later, Stella and Joshua arrived.

Neville was already waiting by the gates.

Seeing them approach, he offered a warm smile.

"Star, Joshua. It's been a while."

Joshua smiled back. "Mr. Connolly. Good to see you."

After exchanging brief pleasantries, the three of them made their way into the sprawling estate.

As they walked toward the main house, Neville turned to him. "Joshua, have you heard the news about Sellers going missing?"

"Star filled me in on the ride over," Joshua replied.

"What's your take on the whole situation?" Neville pressed.

"I'm on the same page as you, Mr. Connolly. I think it's highly likely he's gone missing."

Neville was about to ask so

else when he spotted a group gathered up ahead. It was Mr.

Burton, Sherman Burton, amo

Dquite

few other members of the Burtons.

The moment he saw them, Sherman pointed an accusatory finger at Joshua and

yelled, "It's him! He's the one who kidnapped my uncle!

"My uncle always said that if he ever suddenly disappeared, Joshua would be the one behind it!

"I even have audio and video of him saying it himself!"

Joshua laughed. "Since when do random audio and video clips pass for hard evidence of a crime? If I recorded a video saying that if I dre tomorrow, Sellers is to blame, does that automatically make him a murderer?" s?novels

Sherman glared at him. "You're twisting my words! Everyone knows you and my

uncle have always been at each other's throats!"

Joshua put on a look of utter

But

innocence. Sherman, I think you're deeply mistaken. Sellers and I may have found ourselves on opposing sides of a few business deals, 6 we don't have some kind of blood feud With the way you're coming after me, I really have to wonder-what exactly did I do to offend you?"

Sherman opened his mouth to argue, but Mr. Burton cut him off coldly.

"Sherman, shut your mouth!"

When Mr. Burton gave an order, Sherman didn't dare disobey. He snapped his

mouth shut, looking thoroughly disgruntled.

The older man then fixed his shrewd, piercing gaze on Joshua.

"Joshua Gardner, you've always been a sharp one. Based on the clues we have so

far, do you care to deduce exactly how Sellers vanished?"