Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Natalie chuckled and tightened her grip on Tina's hand as she opened the grand door of the Brookes family home. As the mahogany door swung open, Natalie saw an old man, leaning on a cane and dressed in a suit, standing at the entrance with tears in his eyes.

On seeing the door open, he staggered forward two steps, then stopped, trembling. He couldn't bring himself to move forward, nor could he believe this was all real. After more than thirty years, his precious daughter, who had been just over a meter tall when he lost her, was now a mother herself.

Natalie approached, stopping a meter away from Grandpa Brookes, not daring to step closer. The gap of thirty years was not a barrier but a profound regret. Thankfully, now everything was as it should be. "Dad, it's me, Alina, I'm back," she said.

Unable to hold back any longer, Grandpa Brookes hurried forward, his cane clattering to the side. He bent his stooped back and lifted his daughter up gently. Slowly, he reached out his wrinkled hands and caressed Natalie's face, tracing the lines of her features gently, fearful of hurting his beloved daughter.

"Alina, my Alina, my dear Alina..." he sobbed, holding Natalie tightly, "My precious daughter."

Scarlett was already nestled in Jack's arms, crying breathlessly, while even the usually flippant Brandon was crouched on the ground, wiping away tears. Tina stood at the doorway, reluctant to intrude on the poignant reunion. The father and daughter embraced for a long time, gradually regaining their composure. Natalie soothed Grandpa Brookes, "Dad, let's go inside. Remember, no going out tomorrow."

Realization dawned on Grandpa Brookes; the Warren Pace who had come to save him was Alina! "You girl, why didn't you reveal yourself sooner? Do you know how worried I was when I saw the explosion on the cliff?" The Brookes family had watched everything through "Scarlett's" bionic robot in real-time. When Rachel had thrown a rock at Tina, Grandpa Brookes had almost charged over himself, restrained only by Brandon and Jack. Fortunately, Jared had sent a signal in time to reassure Grandpa Brookes. Tina followed quietly behind, trying to make no sound. But Grandpa Brookes wasn't about to let her escape notice.

"And you, neither your mother nor you are any less worrisome! Always making your grandpa worry!" he chided.

Tina smiled slightly, "Grandpa, blame my mom for faking her death all these years. If it weren't for my trick today, she'd still be hiding!" "Naughty girl, no wonder your master always speaks ill of you!" Natalie said, casting an eye at Tina, though her gaze held no real reproach.

When Master Tam was mentioned, Grandpa Brookes recalled, "Alina, how did you end up with that crazy old man?"

Natalie helped Master Tam to a chair and began recounting her adventures. "I don't remember exactly what happened initially. By the time I had memories, I was with the Whittaker family, met my master during school who said I had a unique talent and wanted to take me as his disciple. I followed him partly in jest, never formally became his disciple, and somehow got involved with the X Bureau and bionic biotechnology."

Master Tam nodded, "No wonder you sent Tina to Serenity Ridge, to keep your master company."

Natalie waved a hand dismissively, "Not really, he wanted a pot of wine as tuition, and I couldn't part with it, so I promised him my child instead!"

Tina finally understood why Master Tam often said she was a bonus item, a loss-making deal. She had been traded for a pot of wine!

Brandon laughed incessantly, "My little niece, you're worth less than a pot of wine, better stay by my side, your mom's unreliable!"

Tina didn't take offense, instead, she teased, "Uncle Brandon, my mom was with Aunt Angela, you know."

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Brandon's laughter stopped abruptly, almost biting his tongue in shock.

He quickly approached Natalie, his eyes still moist, "Alina, you're really with Angela? How is she? Is she eating well? Has she lost weight? Does she sleep well? Is she warm enough? Has she been hurt?" Natalie was stunned by Brandon's barrage of questions. She had been with Angela all along but Angela had never mentioned Brandon.

As Natalie looked towards Tina, Tina nodded silently.

Yes, Mom, it's exactly what you think, Brandon is hopelessly in love!

Brandon felt a sudden chill, turning to Tina, "It's true love!"

Jack pushed Brandon away, disgusted, and leaned towards Natalie, "Alina, Brandon has been in love with Angela for over a decade, he's hopeless."

Natalie clicked her tongue, "Brandon, did Angela run away from home because of you?"

Grandpa Brookes nodded sagely, "I think that's exactly it."

Brandon immediately objected, "How could that be! It was clearly Rachel who..."

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He stopped short, knowing the family avoided mentioning Rachel since the incident. They all knew Grandpa Brookes had treated Rachel like his own daughter, placing great hopes on her. Even if the entire Brookes family held animosity towards Rachel, Grandpa Brookes protected her, ensuring she suffered no slight.

Before discovering Rachel might have tampered with Tina's paternity test, Brandon had not looked down on her either. Whenever Rachel was bullied, her brothers protected her.

But who could have expected she would turn out so ungrateful?

The room fell silent, Jack shooting Brandon a reproachful look for his indiscretion.

At that moment, Tina spoke up, "I'm hungry."

Hearing Tina's words, Grandpa Brookes immediately brightened, "Prepare the meal quickly. It's Alina and Tina's first official return home; we can't have them go hungry."

"The food is already ready," Jack smiled. "We may lack many things, but food is not one of them. Alina and Tina won't starve."

Tina smiled, "Then I'll be relying on my grandpa and uncles to feed me from now on."

"Ha ha! Of course!" Grandpa Brookes looked at Tina and Natalie, his mood significantly brightened. The topic of Rachel was smoothly glossed over, leaving only joy and warmth behind.