Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Ella Bailey lowered her gaze, her fragile and meek demeanor too pitiful for Tina to bear watching. "Luke originally wanted to take Tina's side to court," Ella said softly, her voice trembling like a fragile thread. "But after learning about our relationship, he hesitated. He didn't want a family dispute to escalate in court, fearing it would destroy the harmony. He also worried I'd never be able to integrate into the Farrell family after such a mess. That's why he hoped they'd willingly withdraw the lawsuit."

"After all," she added, her tone carrying a hint of arrogance, "no matter how this case plays out, we're bound to win."

Ella cast a meaningful glance at Tina. "Tina has done so much already. It would be a shame if all her efforts ended up amounting to nothing." Tina's thoughts were sharp and cutting: *Some people are born with the talent for being manipulative little foxes.*

Jared's voice was devoid of warmth as he replied, "Is that so? We're not afraid of a little family discord. A court battle sounds just fine."

Ella's confidence faltered slightly. Luke Gill, however, remained unshaken, calmly sipping his tea as if the world could collapse around him, and it wouldn't faze him. "Mr. Farrell, you're too indulgent with your wife," Luke said with a strategic smile. "She's young and inexperienced, easily tricked by Elsa's rhetoric. Her impulsive desire to help is understandable. But do you really mean to stand against your own family for the sake of a woman with no blood ties to you?" "And let's not forget," Luke continued, his tone sharpening, "what happened back then was between Elsa and me. It's not really your place to interfere, is it?"

Tina's voice, calm but cutting, interrupted him. "I have money. I can do what I want with it. Got a problem with that?"

Her delicate chin lifted slightly, exuding a mix of defiance and charm. Logan, watching her with amusement, couldn't help but smile.

*That's our Tina,* he thought. *Always fighting for the underdog. Much better than that cold-faced grandson of mine.*

Logan shot a sidelong glance at Jared, who silently observed the exchange, and let out a dismissive snort. "Luke, it's not that I don't want to help you. But the lawsuit has already been filed. There's no reason to retract it now." Turning to Tina, he added, "She's young. If she wants to help, let her. If this lawsuit is as hopeless as you claim, it'll be a good lesson for her. Don't worry-I'll make sure these two don't hold a grudge against you."

Luke's expression darkened, his tightly pressed lips a thin, pale line. His eyes swept over the room, assessing everyone's stance. Logan's words seemed supportive at first glance, but anyone with half a brain could see how deeply biased he was toward Tina.

Luke had already tried approaching members of the Farrell family discreetly, only to find they wouldn't dare oppose Jared. Now, it seemed his only option was to go to court.

Tina's smile, faint but provocative, grated on Luke's nerves. He frowned, about to speak, but Tina was quicker. "Yes, we can afford to lose. If you're truly innocent, why not let the court decide? If there's really nothing to hide, it'll clear your name."

She tilted her head, her gaze sharp as a knife. "Uncle, no man would want the reputation of being a scumbag hanging over him, right?"

Her words were framed as a question, but the room knew her intent. She wasn't hiding her jab at Luke Gill. Ella Bailey, standing nearby, couldn't hold back her laughter and turned away to relieve the ache in her cheeks from suppressing it. Luke's face had turned a deep shade of red, like a liver about to burst. Jared, however, didn't think Tina had gone far enough. Leaning close to her ear, his words carried clearly through the room. "Tina, you're wrong. Some shameless people actually enjoy being called a scumbag."

"But," Jared continued, his tone sharp as a blade, "Mr. Gill clearly isn't one of those people. Otherwise, how could he have become Victor Bailey's personally chosen son-in-law?"

The emphasis on the last sentence struck like a hammer.

Everyone in the room froze, their expressions shifting dramatically-except for Tina, Ella, and Jared. Logan's face twisted as if he'd swallowed a fly. "You were *Victor Bailey's* choice?" he demanded.

"Yes." Luke's voice was strained, his composure cracking.

At this moment, he wished desperately to sever all ties to Victor Bailey. But with Tina and Jared present, lying was not an option. He had no choice but to nod, silently marking down yet another grievance against the two of them. Before Logan's expression could darken further, Luke scrambled to explain. "But I truly love Ella. I don't want her caught between me and the Farrell family. That's why-"

"Enough!" Logan's cold voice cut him off mid-sentence. "There's no need to complicate things. If you've done nothing wrong, then stop with all this nonsense."

After a pause, Logan turned to Ella, her face bearing a striking resemblance to Simone Farrell's. His tone softened, though his words carried a sharp edge. "If what they're saying is true, I don't care if it costs me my reputation-I'll make sure Ella divorces you."

"Grandfather!" Ella exclaimed, her voice trembling with shock.

No one in the room had anticipated things escalating to this point. Luke felt his heart plummet into an abyss. This was the second time in his life he'd experienced the terror of losing control. The first had been years ago when he inherited his family's business and found himself at the mercy of scheming shareholders.

How had it come to this?

Logan had always doted on Simone Farrell. How could he remain so indifferent to Ella's pleas now? Weren't powerful families supposed to fear scandal above all else?

"Tina," Logan said as he stood, motioning for her to help him up. Before leaving the room, Tina glanced back at Luke, her gaze icy and mocking. "The wicked always reap what they sow. You failed to gain the trust of the Dyer family's parents back then, and now you've failed to gain Grandfather's trust."

She smiled faintly, her eyes shimmering with a mix of ridicule and pity. "This time, there's no second Elsa to believe your lies."

Even Ella Bailey wouldn't have sided with him if he hadn't blackmailed her with Simone Farrell's whereabouts.

In truth, Luke Gill wasn't usually this reckless. If not for the mounting pressure and his need to maintain appearances with Victor Bailey, he might have handled the situation better. But it was too late now. His opportunity to resolve the crisis ha long passed.

Ella stood in a corner of the study, watching silently as Logan, Tina, and Jared left. Only then did she brush off imaginary dust from her clothes and dry her tears. Her once-fragile demeanor was gone, replaced by a look of smug satisfaction.

"I thought you were more capable than this," she said, her clear eyes filled with mockery. "Turns out, you're nothing special. Wasted my tears for nothing. I told you, Logan cares most about Jared. I may be my mother's daughter, but I'm not my mother. Did you really think love and loyalty trickle down in wealthy families?"

Luke said nothing, his teeth clenched tightly. Even Ella, usually oblivious, could sense his growing frustration.

She adjusted her expression and decided not to push further. Tugging at his sleeve impatiently, she said, "Let's go. We still have dinner tonight, and I don't want that Tina woman outshining me. Come help me pick an outfit."novelbin

She shot him a glare. "I told you not to get involved with that family. Now I've got even more people to deal with, all thanks to you!"