Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Tina's slender fingers tugged at Jared's loose pajamas. With a flick of her knuckle, the button slipped undone, revealing his firm chest beneath. She shifted slightly, resting her head on his shoulder. "I wasn't planning to sleep anyway," she murmured.

A soft groan escaped her lips as Jared's hands began to roam over her body. "Tomorrow, we have more important things to do," she added.

Jared raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Tina chuckled softly. With a graceful twist of her long legs, she straddled Jared, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Her laughter was sultry, her gaze brimming with allure. The faint redness at the corners of her eyes made Jared's throat tighten, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. Noticing his reaction, Tina's smile deepened. "Uncle, you haven't done your homework this month," she teased.

Before the final syllable left her lips, Jared silenced her with a kiss, swallowing the rest of her words.

The dark comforter rose and fell like waves in the night. The air in the master bedroom grew thick with passion, while outside, the shy moon retreated behind a veil of clouds. But while some reveled in ecstasy, others faced turmoil.

Elsewhere, in the dead of night, someone was already being dragged out of bed to face the wrath of their superior.

Phil Walker stood stiffly in front of a massive floor-to-ceiling window, enduring a scolding that had lasted for hours.

The Director of Education vented all his pent-up frustration on Phil. His words were sharp and merciless. "Impressive, Phil Walker! Truly impressive! Is there anyone you wouldn't dare provoke? Any favor you wouldn't grant?!"

"That harassment case involving the female student-it was buried years ago! And you... you thought it was a good idea to dig it up?!"

The director's anger flared as he recalled the online uproar. "Her parents causing a scene is one thing, but why are you stirring the pot?! If you're so dedicated, why not focus on the North District's outrageously high cafeteria fees? People have been filing complaints about that for ages! But no, you prefer to play dumb when it's inconvenient, don't you?!"

"And Mrs. Ogden? You've been running back and forth for her? What's your angle? Are you trying to ride this wave of publicity to launch your own career?!"

The director's voice dripped with sarcasm, his tone cutting. He paced the room, his fury unabated.

Phil, who was usually arrogant and domineering, dared not retort. Instead, he nodded and bowed, trying to explain, "No, sir, it's not like that! Look at me-do I have the looks to become a public figure? I was just trying to help Mrs. Ogden and her daughter. After all, that child's situation ultimately stems from Joseph Dyers..."

"Joseph Dyers?!" The director's voice shot up another octave. "What evidence do you have to claim she acted because of Joseph Dyers?!"

The mention of Joseph Dyers only fueled the director's rage. "Phil Walker, since you're so capable, shall I arrange for you to join the Public Security Bureau? But even they wouldn't want someone like you, who solves cases by sheer guesswork! Do you have any idea how many wrongful convictions you'd create? The prosecutor's office workload would double overnight!"

His words dripped with venom, his ridicule unrelenting.

Phil's eyes flickered with irritation, but he kept his composure. "Director, isn't it obvious? And if Elsa wants to file a lawsuit, let her. It's a case she can't possibly win. In the end, it might even bring our education bureau some positive recognition."

"Recognition?" The director laughed coldly, his hands on his hips as he paced. He glanced at the storm of online comments and suddenly stopped.

"Fine," he said, his tone icy. "You think this will bring us recognition? Alright. But I'm telling you right now-if you win this case, we'll let it slide. But if you lose..." He sneered. "Well, let's just say there are plenty of people eyeing your position." With that, he hung up the phone with a sharp click.

On the other end, Phil was left stunned by the near ultimatum.

As realization dawned, his expression darkened. "All you ever do is yell at me! You're just afraid I'll lose and embarrass you! Fine, just wait. One day, I'll drag you down from that position myself!"

"You want to fire me? Let's see if you have what it takes!"

Phil gripped his phone tightly, his eyes glinting with malice.

He stared at the pale light breaking over the horizon, his smile twisted and cruel.

Elsa?

Hah. You couldn't beat me years ago. And now, with the Bailey and Langdon families backing me, do you still think you can take me on?

Wait and see. Against absolute power, no evidence matters.

As the first rays of dawn spilled over the land, the online debate had reached a fever pitch. Multiple factions had joined the fray.

Angry accusations, skeptical questions, and idle gossip filled every corner of the internet.

Mrs. Ogden, just waking up, grabbed her phone to check if anyone had criticized Joseph Dyers overnight.

But as she scrolled, something felt off.

Someone suing Phil Walker? Was Elsa out of her mind?

Thoughts tumbled one after another as she quickly exited the app and dialed Phil's number.

"Mr. Walker, what do we do now? Will those comments online affect the trial?"

At that moment, Phil was seated in the Bailey family's reception hall.

Dark circles shadowed his eyes, a testament to his sleepless night. Hearing Mrs. Ogden's concerns only reminded him of the scolding he'd endured. "Don't worry," he said through gritted teeth. "I'll find someone to handle it."

He clenched his jaw. "Things have come this far. Success is the only option. Failure is not an option!"

"And not just that," he added sharply. "We need to drag Tina down with us!"

As Victor stepped into the room, having just returned from elsewhere, he overheard Phil's last sentence. Hearing Tina's name, his mind flashed back to that fateful afternoon.

He had rushed back to the factory, only to find the ground littered with indistinguishable dust and ash.

His wide eyes strained against the sight, wrinkles deepening under the strain.

The fragments of a shattered ceramic urn lay scattered on the floor, the scene replaying over and over in his mind: Carl smashing the urn.

For two nights, Victor hadn't slept soundly.

His dreams were plagued by the image of his mother, weeping softly.novelbin

Now, even in his waking hours, he couldn't shake the fear. He couldn't sleep in darkness, insisting Vivienne stay by his side.

And all of it-every last bit-was Tina's fault!

And Carl's...

Victor's hands curled into fists behind his back. If not for the Langdon family's overwhelming influence, he would have stormed their home long ago, demanding justice. But that didn't matter.

Carl was already struggling to keep his position as heir because of Tina.

Sooner or later, Victor would have his chance.

For now, Tina was the priority.

Phil, noticing Victor's arrival, quickly stood and greeted him.

"You're finally here. The internet's practically on fire, and the director dragged me out of bed last night to chew me out."

Phil pointed to the dark circles under his eyes. "Look at me-I didn't sleep a wink. You've got to help me figure something out. If this keeps up, I'll be crucified online!"