Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Hayden and Nathan also snapped into action, spinning on their heels to back Tina and Jared, their faces etched with vigilance as they stared ahead. Within the next breath, ten figures clad in black emerged from the trees, front and back, encircling the four in a pincer move.

The leader, a scar gracing his left cheek and deftly twirling a military dagger, looked at Tina coldly. “You’re Tina Reed?” he asked.

Her eyes lifted slightly, her voice serene. “Yes.”

“Then give me the thing!” The man’s voice was dark, edged with sharpness. “I advise you to do as I said, or tonight shall mark your end.”

The other black-clad figures drew their weapons, poised for attack, awaiting only their leader’s command.

Jared and the others tensed, looking for a chance to strike a preemptive attack.

Tina’s gaze remained on the speaker, her eyes a deep pool reflecting a flicker of light. “How much are they paying you?”

“What?” The scarred man faltered.

“How much is my life worth?” she asked again, her tone as casual as if discussing the price of vegetables in the market.

The scarred man glared at her, his patience wearing thin, a cold light flickering in his eyes as if he might strike at any moment.

Tina’s lips curled slightly. “What’s wrong? Afraid to say?”

Frowning, the man seemed provoked by Tina’s taunt. “Ten million! Stop the nonsense. I don’t want to harm a young girl. Hand it over, and I’ll be on my way.”

Her delicate, porcelain face still bore a faint smile as she spoke earnestly. “Would fifty million entice you to betray them?”

He paused, wary. “What game are you playing?”

“Seventy million?” Tina continued, unruffled. “To buy your betrayal?”

“You think you can bribe us with money? Dream on. We would never betray…”

“One hundred million!”

The words stuck in his throat, the sum-a hundred million-causing him to gulp. It was a fortune they could never earn in a lifetime. The thought to agree nearly escaped him, but recalling the ruthlessness of their organization, he shivered, then barked, “My patience is limited, hand over the stuff or…”

“Two hundred million!” Tina’s gaze intensified. “Final offer. Take the money and leave, or refuse, and…”

She broke into a smile, a rose with thorns in the night. “You won’t get what you want, nor can you kill me. And your organization will surely punish you.”

“Think you can sow discord…” He started, suspicious. “Do you even have that much money?”

“No,” Tina confessed, her bank account didn’t hold that much.

His face darkened, but she continued, “My fiance does.”

She turned to Jared. “Mr. Farrell, lend me two hundred million. I’ll pay you back in three days.”

Silence fell upon Jared, Hayden, and Nathan.

Jared’s lips quirked. “No problem.”

With his agreement, Tina addressed the scarred man again. “Well? Decided?”

“Make the transfer now!” he blurted out before she could finish.

Tina smiled brilliantly, instructing Jared, “Mr. Farrell, please make the transfer.”

Jared glanced at the scarred man, his voice grave. “Account number.”

The man hesitated, fearing the exposure of his details but the temptation of two hundred million was too great. He reported a Bitcoin account, a common and discreet method for dark web transactions.

Jared fiddled with his phone, and upon checking his balance, the scarred man’s demeanor softened, and even his scar seemed to have smoothed over. He pocketed his dagger, his men lining up like waiters, bowing and grinning at Tina. “Thank you for the two hundred million. We’ll take our leave. Should you have more such deals, seek me out. Fair and square pricing, and at your disposal, as always!”

With that, they vanished as quietly as they had appeared, the scarred man even leaving Tina his business card.

Hayden, flabbergasted, pointed to where they had disappeared. “Since when do hitmen break the code so easily? Bought off just like that?”

He turned to Tina, pocketing the card, then to Jared. “Did you really give them two hundred million?”

“If it resolves Tina’s troubles, I’m pleased,” Jared said with a smile. “Tina, keep the money. Consider it pocket change.”

After a contemplative moment, Tina produced a small porcelain bottle from her bag. “Take this, it’s worth more than your two hundred million. I don’t like owing money.”

“It’s … Lotus Calm Tablets!”

Jared took the bottle to find it filled with Lotus Calm Tablets, a single pillet from the black market was now worth five million each. An entire bottle was worth a billion at least.

Hayden, excited, asked Tina, “Where did you get these?”

“Just – made them myself?” she replied earnestly.

Jared and the others fell silent.

It seemed like a joke – the highly sought-after Lotus Calm Tablets were actually crafted by this young woman?

Jared held the small bottle, his dark eyes concealing thoughts nobody could know. Eventually, he allowed a slight smile, tucking the bottle away with natural ease. “Thank you, Tina!”

He did not protest or play coy, for he truly needed those tablets. His team suffered countless casualties every year; these tablets could significantly enhance their combat capabilities.

He owed Tina too much, a debt he could never fully repay. Perhaps only a lifetime would suffice.

His gaze shifted towards Tina, his lips pursing slightly.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I know you wish to end our engagement, but – that’s no longer an option in this lifetime!