Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

When Elena returned home, Martin had already left. She glanced at her silent parents sitting on the sofa, intending to greet them, but noticing the tense atmosphere, she cautiously headed to her room. Hardly had she taken a step when Orson's furious voice rang out, "Stop right there!"

Elena froze, looking at Orson with fear, "Dad, what's wrong?" She knew that the trouble she caused by asking her uncle to confront Tina had led to her uncle losing his job and issues for the Heisler family, leaving her parents in a sour mood. The whole mess was her doing, and with her parents being strict, she knew they would hold her accountable. Days had passed without mention of the incident, and she thought maybe they didn't blame her, but now, worry crept in. Her mother, usually the more indulgent, was one thing, but her father, when angry, was truly frightening. "Kneel down!" bellowed Orson. Reflexively shivering, Elena wanted to question why, but seeing the fiery glare in Orson's eyes, she obediently knelt, her head bowed.

Andrew, upon hearing the commotion, stepped out from his room. He merely glanced at Elena and remained silent. It was time his sister was properly disciplined.

"Slap!" Orson struck Elena's face, bellowing, "You worthless child, I've lived my life upright, never harming others, and yet I've raised a curse like you!" Clutching her face in disbelief, Elena looked at Orson. No matter her mistakes in the past, her father had never hit her, and to strike with such force now, she could feel her face swelling.

Feeling aggrieved, she stood up, tears in her eyes, staring at Orson, "Dad, you hit me? What did I do wrong to deserve this?" "Slap!" Before she could finish, her other cheek was struck by Mrs. Heisler. Elena looked at Mrs. Heisler in disbelief. It was one thing for her father to hit her, but her mother too?

"It's our fault for spoiling you! You've become so reckless, and yet you still show no remorse. I'm so disappointed in you," Mrs. Heisler said coldly. Mrs. Heisler's sternness was something Elena had never seen before, leaving her confused, "Mom! Why? What's the reason? I don't understand!"

Was it just asking her uncle for a favor? Tina's diploma was genuine, and she hadn't anticipated this; who would guess someone raised in a temple could obtain two doctoral degrees by sixteen? Her uncle and aunt lost their jobs, she felt guilty, it wasn't what she wanted to see, but instead of understanding, her parents hit her.

"You don't understand?" Mrs. Heisler's voice was harsh, "The Heisler family business is on the brink, do you understand that? Your uncle and aunt both lost their jobs, do you understand that? Your brother is being investigated and suspended from work, do you understand?"

Elena, head lowered, said nothing.

"All these troubles, you've caused them. Tell me you don't understand?" Mrs. Heisler's face was the picture of disappointment. She hadn't been strict with her children, particularly Elena, a girl. She had thought to raise her with wealth and love, teaching her the right values, but she had spoiled her instead.

"Your father started from nothing to build the company, your brother studied nightly till 2 AM for his job. Do you realize how hard it was for our family to get where we are? Your brother is honest and fair, never acting corruptly. When you falsely accused Tina of stealing, he nearly lost his job. Now, because of you, he's under investigation. Do you take joy in seeing our family in distress?"

Thankfully, when Elena falsely accused Tina, Andrew had brought Tina in for an investigation, which was the proper procedure, given it involved five million dollars. But due to the accuser being Elena, his own sister, he was suspended, although he quickly returned to his position. This time, however, it was different; a formal investigation!

An investigation of a law enforcement officer suggested suspicion of misconduct by higher-ups. If found guilty, suspension was the least of the worries; prison was the more severe consequence. Fortunately, Andrew was upright, genuinely loving his job and never engaging in misconduct; even an investigation would reveal nothing. But Elena needed to be disciplined.

"No, how could I not want the best for our family? I just..." Elena was flustered, not expecting the severity of the situation.

"You were just upset to see Amber bullied, just wanted to stand up for her, just thought Amber was the real lady, not Tina!" Mrs. Heisler continued for Elena. Elena, shocked, looked at Mrs. HeHeisler, "Mom, how could you know..."

Everything?

Her actions against Tina were indeed for Amber. Amber was her friend, and she couldn't bear to see her bullied. "I've lived for over forty years and seen all kinds of schemes. Do you think Amber's manipulations could escape me?" Elena was bewildered as she looked at her mother, "I don't understand! Didn't you like Amber?"

Mrs. Heisler glanced at Elena with an expressionless face, "I don't like Amber one bit. When she comes to our house, and I show her a smiling face, it's only because you treat her as a friend and I don't want to make you sad, so I let you be friends."

From the first meeting, Mrs. Heisler had never taken to Amber, sensing her to be overly calculating. In fact, she had wanted to stop Elena from befriending Amber, but her indulgence in her daughter, fearing she would be hurt, had led her to tacitly agree to their friendship.

After Elena had falsely accused Tina of theft, Mrs. Heisler had sternly forbidden any further contact between Elena and Amber, even grounding her at home for days. But then work consumed her attention, and she couldn't keep an eye on Elena. Little did she know that trouble would arise again so soon.

"How can that be? Amber is such a good student, kind in nature, many want to be her friend. Mom, why don't you like her?" Elena had never expected this turn of events, her mother not liking Amber. She genuinely couldn't understand; wasn't Amber nice?

Mrs. Heisler was ready to scold Elena further, but seeing her daughter's clueless face, she could only sigh, "Elena, think about it. Has Amber truly treated you as a friend? When has she not led you to fight her battles?"

"She's my friend, and I don't see a problem with standing up for her," Elena didn't think she was in the wrong.

"Yes, standing up for a friend is not wrong, but Amber isn't worth it. Let's not even mention other things; just consider how she always complains that Tina targets her. If that were true, why would Tina's family move out? Also, if Amber really was so wonderful, why would the Farrell family prefer a country-raised Tina over her? Do you think they're fools?"

"Mr. Farrell has seen more people than you've eaten meals. He chose Tina over Amber, indicating there's a problem with Amber. Moreover, Tina earned two doctoral degrees by sixteen, a prestigious achievement. If it weren't for Amber's instigation, wouldn't you also think Tina is impressive?"

Elena fell silent. It seemed to make sense. Her poor impression of Tina was all due to Amber portraying herself as a victim, including this incident, which was based on Amber's suggestion that Tina's credentials might be fake, prompting Elena to seek her uncle's help.

"This conversation is our last on this matter. Tomorrow we'll apologize to Tina. Reflect on this, and if you understand, join us. And regarding Amber, I hope you make the right judgment. Consider whether such a friend is truly worth it." With that, Mrs. Heisler took Orson and they went into a room.

Andrew looked at Elena and, ultimately saying nothing, went inside as well.