Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Jared Farrell pressed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. “You need to come pick us up right now! No one else is allowed to do it! Otherwise, we will never forgive you!” Marie demanded. Sophia chimed in, “Yes, we will never forgive you!”

“Tina, I need to go to the airport to pick up my mom and Sophia,” Jared Farrell explained as he stood up. “I’ll be back later.” He glanced at the Reed family members and asked, “Do you want to come with me?” It would save her from dealing with these people.

Tina leaned back in her chair, looking lazy. “No, I’ll go see Marie later.” “Alright!” Jared Farrell didn’t say anything more. If she wanted to stay and deal with these people, so be it.

After apologizing to Annabelle and Jasper, Jared Farrell was about to leave. After taking a couple of steps, he turned back to Lily Ward and said, “By the way, Miss Ward, unless it’s something important, don’t greet me anymore.” He said this to Lily Ward but looked at Tina with eyes full of expectation for praise. “I’m very committed to male virtues.”

With that, he walked out without looking back. Audrey Woodwind, who was drinking tea, spat it out onto Griffin’s face. “Damn!” Griffin jumped up from the sofa in embarrassment. “Audrey, are you insane?” “Sorry, sorry,” Audrey Woodwind apologized while giving Jared Farrell a strange look. Did she mishear? Jared Farrell said he was committed to male virtues? What nonsense!

Griffin glared at Audrey Woodwind angrily before rushing upstairs to change clothes. Lily Ward’s smile froze on her face. Jared Farrell had made it clear; if she continued to pursue him, everyone would see through her intentions.

She glanced at Tina with some reluctance but saw Tina looking back at her disdainfully as if all her thoughts were laid bare. She lowered her eyes in frustration, gripping her pants until they were wrinkled.

Willow reached over and patted her hand subtly to comfort her, signaling not to rush things. Once Jared Farrell left, the atmosphere in the living room changed noticeably.

Liliosa seemed even more aggressive now, glaring at Tina like a predator eyeing its prey. Willow and Lily Ward occasionally showed contemptuous looks toward Tina.

At this moment, Mrs. Brown came over to announce that the meal was ready. Esther quickly stood up and invited everyone to the table.

“Tina, sit next to Grandma,” Annabelle said as she took Tina’s hand and led her to the main seat where Muff usually sat. Tina didn’t refuse and was about to sit down when Liliosa sneered, “You really have no manners. Your grandma tells you to sit there, and you actually dare? Do you know whose seat that is?”

“No,” Tina replied bluntly as she sat down in the main seat. “That’s your grandfather’s seat!” Liliosa’s voice grew sharper. “Do you think you’re worthy?”

Jasper’s face darkened as he was about to speak when Annabelle scolded Liliosa first. “Enough! I told Tina to sit there. If you have any complaints, take them up with me!” Liliosa’s face turned red with anger but she didn’t dare argue with Annabelle directly and had to swallow her words.

Jasper took a seat next to Annabelle. Liliosa had intended for Willow to sit next to Jasper but he pulled Garrett over instead. Left with no choice, Liliosa had Willow and Lily Ward sit beside her.

Once Griffin returned after changing clothes and took his seat, Annabelle asked Esther, “Why isn’t Arthur here yet?” She referred to Esther’s son and Audrey Woodwind’s brother.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Esther frowned slightly. “I don’t know. He told me yesterday his flight would arrive in Ashbury at nine this morning. Why isn’t he back yet?” She nudged Audrey Woodwind. “Call your brother.”

“I did earlier; he didn’t answer,” Audrey Woodwind replied shaking her head.

“Maybe he’s delayed or stuck in traffic,” Jasper suggested with a smile before addressing everyone else. “Let’s not wait for him; let’s eat.”

“Alright,” Annabelle said as she patted Tina’s hand and explained with a smile, “Your aunt’s son is always busy with his entertainment career ever since he debuted last year. He rushed back from his film set when he heard we found you; he’s not intentionally late.”

She continued, “This is your first meal home so we prepared a family dinner for you. In a few days, your father will arrange a bigger banquet.”

Annabelle felt relieved that Amber’s banquet had been held in Ensford; otherwise it would have been embarrassing.

Tina remained noncommittal.

Annabelle then took out a velvet box in front of the Reed family members and handed it to Tina with a smile. “Tina, this is my gift for meeting you.”

Tina accepted it and opened the box to find an exquisite jade bracelet inside.

The bracelet was translucent with a rich hue of pinkish-purple that complemented Tina’s fair skin perfectly.

Such a rare bracelet could be worth millions on the market; if there were a pair of them its value would be even higher.

“Let Grandma help you put it on,” Annabelle said as she took the bracelet and placed it on Tina’s wrist herself before admiring how well it suited her youthful granddaughter.

“Mom!” Liliosa glared at the bracelet on Tina’s wrist furiously. Her voice grew shriller as she recalled past grievances: “When I got married I asked for this bracelet but you refused! You said there was only one so if you gave it away Esther wouldn’t have any either hence neither of us got it! But now you’re giving it away just like that?”

How could this country girl deserve such an expensive bracelet?

Tina’s lips curled into a mocking smile; while she didn’t feel particularly attached or entitled towards this rare bracelet seeing Liliosa so agitated made her want it even more now that she had worn it already.

“Did I lie? Neither of my daughters got this bracelet hence I’m giving it directly to my granddaughter now,” Annabelle replied displeasedly frowning at Liliosa’s outburst.

“But you have more than one granddaughter!” Liliosa retorted jealously pointing towards Garrett and Luna saying “Have you forgotten about Juliet? She too is your granddaughter!”