Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Tina was taken aback as she watched Amber’s retreating figure. Wherever Amber passed, other students scattered as if she were filth, pointing and whispering among themselves.

Mr. Stiller had informed Tina about Amber’s return beforehand. In fact, Tina had received the news even before Mr. Stiller had.

Today, a Dr. Kim had turned himself in, confessing to the theft of Dr. Ward’s medical prescription and implicating himself as the one who had instructed Amber in treating Shonna’s illness. He also admitted to hiring those thugs to cause trouble in Pinkwater Alley-Amber had merely been deceived by him. Therefore, while Amber was misled, her actions did not constitute a crime, and she was released.

Since she was not guilty, the school couldn’t expel her either. Tina had to admit, Dr. Kim made a perfect scapegoat. As a direct disciple of Dr. Ward, his confession was plausible. It seemed the Ward family’s century-old legacy was at risk; though thriving on the surface, it was rotting from within. Without thorough cleansing, the Ward family was doomed.

Yet, Amber’s resilience surprised Tina. She had thought Amber would be easy to crush, like an ant, but she had proven to be a cockroach, still twitching even after being stepped on.

At that moment, Jayden called. “Young Master.”

She asked succinctly, “The result?”

“It’s the GTO. They’re staying at the Gilded Opulence Lounge.”

“I meant the results of the drug test.”

Jayden paused, then said weakly, “I’ll have it written up and organized for you by tonight.”

His Young Master was a devil.

“Dump the body where they are staying, as visibly as possible, then call the police,” Tina said coldly.

Jayden hesitated, “Won’t that spook them into changing their base?”

“They won’t have just one base,” Tina replied indifferently.

“Understood.” Jayden continued, “Regarding Amber, I’ve looked into it. A perfumer named Sean Millis is behind her. I’ve sent you the information.”

“Hmm,” Tina acknowledged and hung up, examining Sean’s dossier.

Sean Millis, twenty-one, had studied abroad in Glasgow after graduating from Ensford High School three years prior, apprenticing under the world’s most renowned and mysterious perfumer, Q.

Q had become famous worldwide five years ago with a perfume named “Fathom.”

To the wearer, “Fathom” began with exuberant passion, followed by a bewitching middle note, but its base note was most unique-intense and lingering, vanishing abruptly, leaving only a delicate trace. It was like a passionate encounter that ends just at the height of excitement, leaving its wearer longing for more.

Thus, “Fathom” was colloquially known as the “man-reeper” perfume, even earning a place in the Perfume Museum.

After “Fathom,” countless brands offered large sums for Q’s collaboration, but Q, mysterious and indifferent to money, turned them all down. No one had ever seen Q’s true face, or even knew Q’s gender. In five years, Q had only released three perfumes: “Abyss,” “Old Dream,” and “Fathom,” but these were enough to crown Q as a master perfumer.

As it was nearly impossible to get Q, when Sean, claiming to be Q’s student, appeared, brands were quick to seek his cooperation. Sean was talented, though his perfumes did not reach Q’s fame. They were still popular, and his good looks earned him the nickname “Prince of Perfume.” His support for Amber was rooted in his childhood devotion to her. Before going abroad, he had pursued Amber for years, but she had always looked down on him as he was just an orphan without any background. Now he had returned, playing the hero for her, things were certainly different.

Tina studied the photo of Sean in the dossier, then looked toward the young man walking with Mr. Stiller into the school, his short hair, gold-rimmed glasses, and pale, gaunt face matching the photo. Sean looked up as if he had felt something, their gazes meeting across the distance.

“Tina,” Jared whispered behind her, his breath warm on her ear, “Don’t look at other men behind my back.”

Tina glanced sideways, her clear eyes teasing, “Don’t worry, Mr. Farrell. He’s not as handsome as you!”

Jared’s mood sweetened instantly, “So you like handsome men?”

“Of course!” Tina said seriously, “I’m all about looks!”

Jared laughed, his smile warm as sunlight, “Then does my appearance merit your hand in marriage?”

Tina scrutinized him, “No!”

“Why not?” Jared raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t have eight-pack abs!” Tina rested her chin on her hand, “And you’re too skinny; I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to handle me!”

Jared was speechless.

Tina patted his shoulder, her smile radiant, “Mr. Farrell, focus on your career. When the time comes, we’ll break off the engagement.”

Jared was again at a loss for words. Was this really the right moment to talk about breaking off an engagement?Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Jared pulled Tina closer, whispering in her ear, “Tina, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to break off the engagement anymore.”

His warm breath on her ear sent ripples through her heart. She looked up at him seriously, “You’re not going to tell me you’ve fallen for me, are you?”

“If I had, would you reconsider taking the engagement seriously?” His expression was earnest.

Tina met his gaze, her fair face blushing. She averted her eyes and coughed lightly, “I need to return to the office.”

For some reason, she felt different when she met Jared’s eyes. She didn’t understand this emotion.

It didn’t seem a lie when Jared said he had feelings for her. She couldn’t fathom why he would like her when their relationship was devoid of any drama and profound emotion. And she was even more puzzled why she felt a strange emotion when alone with him.

She had never been in love and didn’t know what it felt like, but she was certain she couldn’t fall for Jared.

Yes, that must be it.