Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

The auditorium erupted into murmurs once again.

“Why would you take her as your student?”

“How could someone like her be worthy of being your student?”

He chuckled softly, holding the microphone with a sincere tone in his eyes that swept over the puzzled crowd.

“I know you all don’t understand, and I hesitated because of this very reason. But perfumery truly requires talent, not only that, a good nose is essential, and Amber is the most gifted person I have met to date.”

“I can’t bear to waste her talent, nor do I want to dismiss her for a mistake made in her youth. Just think about it, who hasn’t erred in their younger days? When I was thirteen, I had skipped so many classes for video games, my parents would chase after me and bring me to school everytime.”

At this, laughter broke out among the audience; they were swayed by his light-hearted delivery, gradually letting go of their grievances against Amber’s past actions.

Indeed, everyone makes mistakes, they pondered. Who could claim they’ve never erred?

They were all young, weren’t they?

As long as it wasn’t anything heinous, one should be forgiven and given the chance to start anew.

Seeing the change in the students’ demeanor, Sean was pleased. He continued, “Therefore, I’ve decided to give Amber a chance. I will guide and oversee her. If she errs again, I will personally expel her.”

Tina smirked coldly from below; so this was Sean’s plan.

Indeed, it was perfect. First, find a scapegoat for Amber, then use her status as his student to cover up her blemishes.

With such a halo over her head, even being expelled by Dr. Ward wouldn’t stop her from continuing as Miss Ensford.

“I am deeply ashamed of my actions,” Amber said, taking the microphone after Sean gave her a cue. “I know my behavior has tarnished the reputation of Ensford High School, and I sincerely apologize to everyone here.”

She bowed deeply with earnestness and, upon straightening up, suddenly turned to Tina, “Tina, the person I should apologize to the most is you. I’m sorry, it was my fault, and I hope you can accept my apology.”

After speaking, she bowed deeply to Tina, masking the iciness and hatred in her eyes.

“What if I don’t accept?” Tina’s lips curled into a subtle smile.

Still bowing, Amber’s lips twitched into a smile; she had expeceted such a response.

When she straightened up, her face bore a pitiful look, her voice choked with emotion.

“Tina, I truly realize my mistake. Everything I did was out of jealousy for your excellence. We’re still family, can’t you really forgive me?”

She was naturally beautiful, and her recent stint in detention had left her looking even more frail and vulnerable on stage.

A few gullible students, swayed by Sean’s “youthful ignorance” speech, felt sympathy for such a beauty.

Or perhaps, Sean’s words touched a dark chord within these young minds, flawed as they were, they naturally hoped for leniency for their own missteps.NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.

Thus, some began to quietly discuss Tina.

“Yeah, you’re family, it’s not a big deal. Amber has apologized, why hold a grudge?”

“Shouldn’t Tina be more forgiving? It’s just one mistake, and she won’t make it again.”

Tina merely smiled, watching Amber without a word.

“Do you also enjoy moral blackmail?” Jared leaned back in his chair, casually straightening his cuff, his tone aloof yet tinged with disdain.

The more rational students laughed at Amber. After all, the video of her holding a knife at the hospital, demanding Tina’s forgiveness, was still circulating online.

And her act of playing the victim had been just too familiar at this school; they were somewhat immune.

Someone even shouted at Amber, “You’re not doing too well this time, Amber. Why aren’t you kneeling? Is it because you don’t have the knife? Want to go prepare and try again?”

Amber’s expression twisted momentarily but was quickly concealed. Ignoring the jeers, she earnestly looked at Tina, “Tina, I am truly apologizing to you. What will it take for you to forgive me?”

She glanced at Sean, as if timidly, “If… if you could forgive me, sister, I would be willing to give you the opportunity to be Master Sean’s student.”

The auditorium buzzed again, everyone thought Amber had lost her mind. The chance to be a student of the ‘Perfume Prince’ was just so rare, and she was offering it up.

Despite the Reeds Company’s bankruptcy and the tarnish on Ensford, with Sean’s support, refinancing and a resurgence were far from implausible.

Amber could reclaim her cherished status as Miss Reed. But if Tina were Sean’s student, she surely wouldn’t aid the Reeds Company, especially since her fiance was the one who caused their bankruptcy. Suddenly, everyone felt Amber’s apology might be sincere.

“Amber,” Sean’s expression darkened as he stepped forward, “I chose you for your talent. You may not want to be my student, but I will never take your sister as my disciple!”

He glanced at Tina with a disdainful look, “My students aren’t just anyone.”

“Master Sean,” Amber’s face lit up with gratitude.

As soon as Sean mentioned “just anyone,” Jared’s whole body exuded a chilling aura, making those around him want to take a step back. His eyes narrowed, a cold glint in them, just as he was about to speak, Tina pressed his hand, her touch bringing a slight warmth that calmed his fury.

He turned to look at her profile; she sat undisturbed, with a smile that was more of a sneer as she watched the performance on stage.

Sean too looked at her, hoping to see anger, shame, or resentment in her eyes, but all he saw was mockery, as if the person being humiliated wasn’t her, but him.

Stung by her gaze, Sean sneered and said to Tina as if granting a favor, “However, Miss Tina, while you lack the talent to be my student, I wouldn’t mind taking you on as an assistant if you forgive Amber.”

Amber’s heart leapt with joy; this was what she wanted.

After her own humiliation as Dr. Ward’s outer student was exposed, and her subsequent expulsion, she now wanted Tina to taste the same disgrace.

And this was only the first step in her plan to suppress Tina; the shame she once endured, Tina must also experience!

“You teach me? You think you can do that?” Tina’s laugh was scornful enough.

[End of Book I]