Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Tina walked out of the backyard, but the furious voice behind her still echoed loudly.

"Brat! You're going to kill me! Those treasures of mine are meant to be passed down for generations. Nobody-nobody-is getting their hands on them! Tell those little punks to stop eyeing them..."

In the main hall, Ian and Jared had just finished a game of chess.

Looking at the board, where he had narrowly prevailed by a single move, Ian nodded with a smile. "Not bad, not bad. Your chess skills are far better than your grandfather's. That old man always cheats, using every trick in the book to win."

Jared withdrew his hand and replied with a laugh, "Grandfather, your chess skills are unparalleled. It's not just my grandfather who isn't your match; even I have to admit defeat."

Ian laughed heartily. "You're a good kid. If your grandfather heard this, he'd probably say you're siding with me instead of him."

Just as Ian stood up, Tina arrived, an air of confidence and mischief evident on her face. Before Ian could ask her what had happened, a heart-wrenching yell came from the backyard. "My treasure!"

"Brat, don't you dare leave!"

Tina raised a brow, grabbed Jared, and headed outside. "Grandfather, we're leaving now." Jared simply smiled, not asking a single question.

Ian, of course, understood what was going on. Chuckling, he waved them off. Then, he turned toward the backyard and intercepted the raging Master Tam mid-path.

Ian sighed. "Look at you, at your age, yelling and making a scene. Aren't you embarrassed in front of the kids?"

Master Tam's face turned red with anger. Pointing at Ian, he demanded, "How would you feel if treasures you've cherished for decades were snatched away? Wouldn't you be heartbroken?"

Ian responded with authority, "Depends on who's taking them. If Tina wanted them, I'd be happy to give her not just one, but an entire warehouse!"

Master Tam took a deep breath. "You're generous, sure. But your granddaughter took my treasure!"

Ian snorted. "Think about it. You're her master. She's lived with you since she was a child. Besides, you're not married, so who else would inherit your belongings when you're gone? Why get so worked up?"

Master Tam was left speechless.

On the way back to the Farrell family estate, Tina toyed with the dark agarwood bracelet she had taken from Master Tam, her mind replaying the things her master had said to her. Unconsciously, her gaze drifted out the window.

Jared, one hand on the steering wheel, reached over and gently tapped her hand. "Still no leads?"

A flicker passed through Tina's eyes. "We still don't know Claudia's true identity, but their ultimate goal is becoming increasingly clear."

Jared immediately guessed, "Immortality?"

Tina smirked and countered, "Does Uncle want it too?"

Jared answered without hesitation, "No."

Intrigued, Tina leaned closer. "Why not?"

Jared smiled at her. "A few decades are enough to experience all the ups and downs of life. If that time were extended indefinitely, or had no end, it wouldn't bring happiness-only endless pain."

Tina pressed her lips together and looked ahead. "I think the same. Blindly chasing immortality is meaningless. Someone useless won't achieve anything worthwhile, even if they live forever."

---

Back at the Farrell family estate, it was already six in the evening-dinnertime.

Logan had been waiting in the main hall since early evening. When he saw the headlights

outside, the wrinkles on his face blossomed into a broad smile.

As Jared and Tina entered the house, Logan eagerly greeted them.noveldrama

"Grandfather," Jared called.

Tina glanced at Marie and Asher, who had come out from inside, and greeted them respectfully, "Grandfather, Father, Mother."

Hearing Tina call her "Mother" for the first time after the wedding, Marie beamed so brightly that she could hardly contain her joy. "Tina, you're back! Come in and see what I've prepared for you to eat."

Asher nodded in agreement. "Tina's been through a lot these past few days. She needs to be nourished."

Logan chimed in, "Come on, let's go in. Don't let the food get cold. Butler, add another soup to the table."

Jared was speechless.

He had only gotten married-not married into their household. Why did it feel like he was the outsider here? Nobody even spared him a glance before brushing him aside.

At the dining table, Logan sat at the head, with Tina on one side and Marie beside her. Across from them sat Asher, with Sophia-who had just come running downstairs, eagerly calling "Tina" with every step-beside him.

The family was harmonious and happy, as if ready to take a family portrait.

The only one left out was Jared.

Sighing, Jared walked over to Marie and tapped her on the shoulder. "Mom."

Marie impatiently shrugged off his hand. "What is it? Eat your food and don't bother me... Tina, try this soup. It's great for your skin."

Jared was dumbfounded.

"Mom, Tina is my wife!"

Marie glanced at him and, seeing him point toward Asher's seat, sighed. "Fine, you sit next to your father. Only you can sit beside Tina."

Reluctantly, she moved to the other side of the table, muttering about how clingy her son was. Even during dinner, he couldn't let Tina out of his sight.

During the meal, Logan brought up the idea of holding another wedding ceremony. Tina brushed it off, saying it wasn't necessary, and Logan didn't press further.

The matter had already been discussed with the Pace family the day before. If Tina agreed, the Farrell family would spare no effort to host another wedding. But if she preferred to forgo or postpone it, both families would respect her wishes.

After all, it was her wedding, and the families could only offer suggestions, not interfere.

After dinner, Jared and Tina were asked to stay the night.

Upstairs, in the room prepared for them, Tina had just sat down when she heard the door creak open cautiously.

Turning her head, she caught sight of Sophia peeking in.

Tina winked at her, signaling her to come in.

Sophia stepped inside and whispered, "Tina, my brother isn't here, right?"

Tina patted her head. "He's with Grandfather. What's the matter?" Relieved, Sophia's voice grew louder. "Tina, I wanted to ask about Zackary's injuries. Mom mentioned he and Mr. Reed were sent to the hospital. Is he okay?"

Surprised, Tina studied her for a moment. "You're very worried about him?"

Sophia frowned and nodded firmly. "Of course! Zackary got hurt protecting me. I was so scared

at the time, but he rushed over and shielded me from the chair... and now he's injured because

of me..."

Tears welled up in her eyes. Tina quickly comforted her. "Sophia, Zackary is fine. I visited him at the hospital yesterday."

"Really?" Sophia's eyes sparkled. "Can I go see him?"

"No!"

Jared's cold voice cut through the air as he stepped into the room. Grabbing Sophia by the arm,

he started pulling her out. "Stay home. Zackary is fine. Tina and I will handle it. You don't need to

worry."

Sophia protested, "Brother, you're so heartless! Zackary got hurt saving me. You're not even grateful, and now you won't let me see him..."

Jared was speechless.

If he didn't intervene, his little sister might be lost for good.

"I said no, and that's final. If you want to go out, talk to Mom. Tina and I need to rest."

With a loud "thud," Jared shut the door and locked it, leaving a fuming Sophia outside.

Turning back, he saw Tina sitting on the bed, smirking.

His heart skipped a beat. "Darling..."

Tina raised a brow. "Uncle, want to bet? The more you try to stop them, the closer they'll get."

Rubbing his temples, Jared walked toward her. "Do you have a solution?"

Tina shook her head. "I won't interfere. They're young and shouldn't be constrained by adult expectations. Don't you agree?"