When Love Comes Late

But just as she stepped out of the elevator, she overheard an argument.

Stella approached and heard a female voice speaking with a biting sarcasm.

“I don’t care.

My daughter went with Matthew to Sothrea, which is far away.

Now that she’s missing, I demand an explanation.

”

Stella deduced from her words that this woman was Lindsay’s mother.

Determined, Stella walked toward them with a stern expression.

The two people in the hallway were taken aback.

Waldo’s face was flushed with anger, but it softened slightly when he saw Stella approaching.

It wasn’t until Stella stood next to Waldo that she got a good look at the woman.

The woman was in her forties, well-groomed, stylishly dressed, and striking.

Most notably, she bore a resemblance to Lindsay.

Stella became more certain that she was Lindsay’s mother.

Betsey was evaluating Stella, eyeing her with apparent disdain.

Stella looked at Betsey sharply and demanded in a firm tone, “What explanation do you seek? Lindsay was on a company-organized business trip.

What’s wrong with that?”

Betsey was taken aback and momentarily lost for words.

With a scoff, Stella continued, “What is your relationship with Lindsay? As far as I know, Lindsay was raised by the Clark family since infancy.

If anything is amiss, it’s the Clarks who deserve an explanation.

Who are you to her?”

Betsey sounded assertive but faltered, “I’m Lindsay’s mother! Don’t I have the right to demand an explanation from the Clark family?”

Stella retorted sarcastically, “Mother? I assumed Lindsay was an orphan.

Why else would she grow up in the Clark household instead of with her own mother?”

Betsey was left speechless, realizing she was outmatched and wanted to divert the conversation.

She blurted out defiantly, “Stop deflecting.

Lindsay is my daughter.

I need to know whether she’s safe or not.

You owe me an explanation!”

Stella responded coldly, “Be careful with your accusations.

They are merely on a routine business trip.

”

“Ridiculous! A routine business trip? Then why doesn’t she answer my calls? It’s all over the news-there was a gunshot incident in Sothrea.

I can’t reach her, so clearly, something has happened!” Betsey exclaimed.

Stella’s expression grew stern as she snapped, “Stop making unfounded claims!”

Betsey was intimidated by Stella’s commanding presence.

Seeing how firm Stella was, Betsey decided to take a softer approach.

With that thought, Betsey suddenly burst into tears, wailing in a pained voice, saying, “Life is so cruel! My daughter is missing! She’s so unfortunate! Who knows if she’s in danger or the Clark family has done something terrible to her?”

Her voice was sharp and loud, and she deliberately cried loudly, causing Stella to develop a piercing headache.

Stella was especially concerned that Lucia might be disturbed by Betsey’s loud cries.

She reached for her phone, intending to call the security guards to escort Betsey out.