Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

At the dinner table.

Jared sat next to Tina, tending to her every need throughout the meal. He passed her napkins when necessary, poured drinks when needed, and any dish that Tina glanced at a second longer would find its way into her plate the next moment. Truth be told, Tina certainly didn't take Hayden's earlier joke seriously, but Jared's over-attentiveness now seemed more like guilt. Marie, sitting across, observed her son's pitiable behavior with such frustration that she nearly snapped her fork in half.

Men truly forget their mothers when they take a wife, she thought bitterly. She had raised Jared and had never seen him wait on her like this. When did she fail to notice her son's potential for such subservience? Her disdain for Tina grew, but it didn't matter, Logan would soon return to the capital, and Asher had already gone ahead to handle business matters. With Logan present, Marie didn't dare to trouble Tina, but once he left, who would stop her? Jared, after all, was her son, and she couldn't believe he would turn against her for a woman like Tina.

"Tina girl," Logan, however, was quite pleased with Jared's performance.

He saw that his grandson had feelings for Tina, but it was clear that Tina did not reciprocate, as she hadn't shown Jared the same concern.

"Mr. Farrell," Tina politely set down her cup to listen to Logan's words.

"I'll be returning to the capital in a few days," Logan said with a smile. "Sophia is still young, and I worry about leaving her and her brother alone. I hope you can help look after them when you have the time." Marie almost choked on her food upon hearing this. What nonsense was the old man spouting now?

How were Jared and Sophia alone in Ensford, as if she didn't exist? Yet Sophia, aiding the narrative, looked at Tina with big, dewy eyes, "Miss Reed, you must come and visit me often. When Grandpa leaves, my mother is always busy with mahjong, and I feel so lonely."

Marie took a deep breath, regretting ever having these children, who would think she neglected them for mahjong.

Of course, she did play mahjong every day.

The Hugo family saw no issue with Logan's words and were grateful to the Farrells for their assistance with the Reed family's affairs. They believed in reciprocity; after all, Tina and Jared were betrothed, and it was only natural for them to interact more.

Thus, everyone at the table awaited Tina's response, even Jared who looked at her expectantly. Normally, she wouldn't entertain such pressure, but these were people she cared about, and she nodded in agreement, "Mr. Farrell, don't worry, I will."

But under the table, she kicked Jared hard.

"Ouch!" Instead, Hayden cried out in pain, thinking Jared had kicked him. He glared at Jared, "Why the heck did you kick me?"

"If I kicked you, I kicked you. Do I need a reason?" Jared casually continued to serve soup, helping Tina.

Hayden gave Jared a thumbs up, appreciating the brotherly bond. Unnoticed, Jared and Logan exchanged a knowing glance-they were in this together.

Logan hummed silently, thinking if this boy couldn't stand on his own two feet this time, he better not show his face in the capital.

After the meal, Logan pulled Hugo aside for a game of chess, while Zackary and Sophia played in the garden, watched by Marie and Jennie.

"The scenery behind the house is nice. Shall we take a walk?" Jared suggested to Tina.

Before she could respond, Hayden chimed in, "I'll join you, I love walks!"

Jared shot a cold glance at this oblivious third wheel.

Hayden, confused, rubbed his arms, suddenly feeling a threat in the air.

Since Hayden insisted, Jared included Nathan, and the four of them walked slowly towards the hill.

Whispering Pines Retreat was nestled halfway up the hill, surrounded by blooming yellow trumpet trees. Despite it being late April, the chill on the mountain kept the trees lush with vibrant flowers.

A gentle breeze carried the fallen petals, immersing them in a soft, tender yellow. In this enchantment, Tina's spirits were soothed, and she recalled moments in the temple. After meditation in the summers, she would open her eyes to the fiery red of the phoenix flowers outside, feeling a similar tranquility.

"These flowers are so beautiful!" Hayden, tempted by the blossoms, reached out to pluck one.

With a cold glance from Tina, however, his hand faltered, and he himself just somehow slipped, resulting in a graceless fall.

"Damn!" He grimaced, brushing off the dirt and petals, "How did I even trip standing still? Should I start carrying garlic with me?"

"You are just so well servered." Nathan commented dry-faced, with no hint of amusement.

"Do you like these flowers?" Jared, uninterested in Hayden's misfortune, turned to Tina. "If you do, we can plant these around our home."

Before Tina could reply, Jared's expression shifted suddenly, and Tina, quicker still, spun around, her eyes coldly fixed on a specific direction in the woods.

Moments before, they had all heard a faint rustle of footsteps. In a forest littered with fallen branches and loose soil, no ordinary person could tread so lightly. Only one type of person moved with such stealth. An assassin!