Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Tina, who had been sitting quietly beside, glanced indifferently at Elizabeth and her two companions. “Let’s take it to court. We can drag this out as long as needed. Whatever the court decides, we’ll pay accordingly.”

Elizabeth turned sharply, her voice harsh as she rebuked, “You have no right to speak here!”

“Tina’s opinion is my opinion,” Hugo intervened coldly.

“You!” Elizabeth burst out angrily, “I will expose your abandonment to everyone! You want to ruin your reputation!”

“Huh,” Hugo laughed in response, “Wasn’t my reputation already destroyed by my biological mother and adopted daughter?” Despite later revelations that Amber was lying, many still speculated darkly about Hugo, and the rumors spread faster than the truth, leaving some to still view him as a villain accused of heinous acts.

“If you want alimony, mom, then as Tina suggested, we’ll go to court,” Hugo spoke calmly. “We will pay when the verdict is in.”

“Just a reminder,” Tina added slowly, “you have three sons and a daughter. If the court rules, it will likely dictate that they equally share the burden of your alimony. Considering your past actions towards Mr. Reed, the court might only grant you the minimum living guarantee from Ensford.”

She turned to ask Jennie, “Auntie, what’s the minimum living guarantee in Ensford?”

“One thousand one hundred eighty dollars,” Jennie replied with a cold smile, knowing internally it meant each would only need to contribute two hundred ninety-five dollars a month. “Mom, you’re over sixty now. Even if you live to a hundred, Hugo’s total alimony wouldn’t reach two hundred thousand.”

Elizabeth’s face, lined with wrinkles, twitched with anger.

Tina slightly curled her lips, “First hearing, second hearing, final judgment, it might take years. Don’t worry, we have the patience to drag this out.”

Ultimately, Elizabeth was so infuriated she couldn’t speak, just tremblingly pointed at the trio before storming out, supported by Pinewood and Talon.

Jennie sighed, “Hugo, are you really her biological son? Maybe you should get a paternity test?”

She loved her children deeply and couldn’t understand why Elizabeth disliked Hugo so much. She suspected Hugo might not be her biological child.

“I’ve had a paternity test done years ago. I am indeed her biological son,” Hugo replied in a somber tone. He had secretly hoped he wasn’t, which might explain Elizabeth’s treatment towards him and ease his pain. But the truth was, he was indeed her biological child.

Hugo took Jennie’s hand, “My life might be filled with such tragedies, but I still have you, Jennie, Zackary, and Tina. I believe I’m blessed in many ways.”

For some reason, as Hugo and Jennie locked eyes, filled with deep affection, Tina suddenly thought of Jared Farrell. “I’m going to pick up Zackary.”

She stood and walked out of the hospital room, turning back briefly to add, “Whether it’s Amber or Sean, anyone who hurts you will pay a price.”

Hugo was momentarily stunned, watching the empty doorway long after she left.

“What’s wrong?” Jennie asked, puzzled.

“Do you think this incident with Amber might involve Tina?” Hugo frowned slightly.

“Amber has hurt you deeply. Surely you aren’t still concerned for her?” Jennie replied quietly, “And what could Tina, a mere child, possibly do? If anyone, it would be Jared.”

“Of course, I understand,” Hugo smiled wryly, shaking his head. “I just don’t want them to get into trouble because of me.”

“Don’t worry, they know their limits,” Jennie reassured him.

After leaving Hugo’s hospital room, Tina passed by Amber’s room again, not giving her a glance until Amber called out, “Tina!”

Tina stopped, hands in pockets, tilting her head to look at her. Amber, left alone, stared back silently for a long moment before cracking a sinister smile, “I will take everything that belongs to you.”

Tina’s eyebrows furrowed momentarily, then her lips curled slightly, “Southridge Psychiatric Facility would be a suitable place for you.”

At the mention of “Southridge Psychiatric Facility,” Amber stiffened, her eyes wide with shock and fear. She remembered the police saying that what happened inside the facility would never be leaked. How did Tina know?

Unconcerned by Amber’s changed expression, Tina continued walking, her face expression softening.

She had been keeping tabs on Sean, and just as she thought about it, a text from Cole Lyon arrived, informing her that Sean had just been “accidentally” injured in custody and was being rushed to the hospital.

Tina’s lips curled into a cold smile, “Perfect timing!”

As she replied to Cole Lyon’s message, Jared Farrell’s call came through. “Tina.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“What’s up?” Tina’s eyes softened slightly.

“Feeling down today?” Jared’s voice was low and soothing.

“Did you hear?” Tina raised an eyebrow. Jared was always well-informed; Elizabeth and her family had just caused a scene, and he already knew.

“Yeah.” Jared didn’t deny it.

“I have a gift for you, would that cheer you up?” Jared offered.

“What gift?” Tina was curious.

Just then, another message from Cole Lyon popped up, “Serena, someone beat us to Sean. It looks like Jared Farrell’s men got to him first, so I didn’t interfere.”

Jared’s chuckle resonated through the phone, “Sean, do you like this gift?”

Tina’s smile widened.

“I really like it!”