Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

"Let's go inside first," Jared said, pulling Tina along as he motioned to the three people standing in front of them.

The moment they entered, Hayden rushed to the couch and plopped down impatiently. "Serena, you have no idea how long we've been standing at that door. My legs are killing me." Tina leaned against the armrest, shooting him a glance. "Nathan was standing out there just as long. Why aren't his legs tired?"

Hayden let out a sheepish laugh. "Not tired! Not tired at all!" He knew that if he dared to admit otherwise, Serena would likely make him copy lines as punishment-at least a hundred times. Tina didn't bother responding and gave him a dismissive look.

Jared walked over to the tea cabinet, picked out a packet of tea, and carefully brewed a few cups. Placing them on the black-and-white coffee table, he handed one to Tina. "Have some water," he said, his smile warm and honeyed. Tina accepted the cup, took a small sip, and smiled. "Not bad. Uncle is always so thoughtful."

Hayden sipped from his own cup of tea and blurted out, "After the people from the Langdon family were taken back, the authorities made some real quick moves this time. Because the case involved government secrets, a secret trial began that very day. Luke Langdon was sentenced to death!"

Tina nodded, her expression calm. "He deserved it."

Hayden, who had been joking moments before, straightened up and spoke seriously. "Considering all the harm Luke Langdon caused-destroying countless families and taking the lives of countless heroes-it's no less than justice." "As for the other members of the Langdon family," Hayden continued, "Carl and his father received ten-year prison sentences. That leniency was given because the Langdon family turned themselves in and had provided significant financial support to the government over the years."

"The Langdon family will never again be a part of the hidden elite. Their once-proud status will vanish. Ten years from now, they'll be just an ordinary family," he added.

Courtney frowned. "Only ten years?"

Tina explained, "They weren't aware of what Luke was doing. He was cunning. While the Langdon family accumulated wealth through unscrupulous means, most of it was funneled to support the front lines."

Jared nodded. "If the authorities hadn't uncovered their underhanded dealings, the Langdon family might not have flourished, but they certainly would've remained a prominent family."

As for the so-called hidden families-once this was over, there would be no more hidden families left in the world.

"By the way," Hayden added, "the Langdon family has also agreed to hand over their family heirloom-the Jade Armor."

A glimmer of light flashed in Tina's eyes. Her lips curled upward slightly. Jared, sitting beside her, casually squeezed her hand as if they shared an unspoken understanding. Neither said a word.

"The Langdon family has been taken down," Nathan said grimly, "but the woman behind them-Claudia-is still nowhere to be found. We don't know where she's hiding."

"No rush," Tina said lazily, crossing her long, slender legs. Her voice was calm, but her thoughts drifted to a figure clad in red.

Ever since she had gained her abilities, she understood that Claudia's immense inner strength came from having trained in supernatural arts as well.

"What's the situation with the Bailey family?" she asked. Originally, she and Jared had planned to deal with the Bailey family first. After all, there were still scores to settle with them. But Stephanie had caused trouble, forcing her to handle that first. In the chaos, she'd nearly forgotten about the Baileys.

"After the Langdon family was captured, Claudia sent assassins to the Bailey family," Nathan reported. "Fortunately, you had already arranged for us to be there with the Mountain Veil Order brothers. We managed to save Victor, but it scared him out of his wits."

As Nathan spoke, Tina shifted her gaze toward Jared, watching his reaction.

Unlike before, when Jared's face would darken with a stormy expression at the mere mention of Victor, his demeanor now was calm, almost indifferent.

The calmer he appeared, the more dangerous he felt.

Jared noticed her gaze and met her eyes with his dark pupils, a faint glimmer flickering within. He reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "Victor is like a frightened bird now," he said softly. "But his fear is premature. He still has a long way to go to atone for his sins."

"It's time to settle things with the Bailey family," Jared declared, standing up. He glanced at the others. "Hayden, you're driving."

Hayden immediately protested, his voice rising like a startled lion. "Why me? Nathan's here too!"

Jared shot him a cold look. "You don't want to?"

Hayden's face fell into a look of despair as he turned to Tina for help. Tina, without missing a beat, added, "You don't want to?" Hayden froze.

Could he say no?

Not with those looks on their faces!

One of them seemed ready to send him off to dig coal.

The other looked like she'd make him write a hundred apologies.

Could he even dare to refuse?

Jared and Tina: "You're welcome to say no. We're very reasonable."

Hayden: "Yeah, right. I wouldn't trust a word out of your mouths!"

So, like the hapless fool he was, Hayden reluctantly went to start the car.

Courtney covered her mouth to stifle her laughter, while Nathan struggled to keep his amusement from showing.

---

At the Bailey family mansion, tension hung thick in the air.

Victor sat in the main hall, his heart pounding with unease. Beside him stood his loyal aide, Johnson. On his left were Luke Gill and Ella Bailey; on his right, Vivienne and Kelly. The atmosphere was oppressively heavy.

Ever since Victor narrowly survived the assassination attempt, his nerves had been on edge. He was like a man without a soul, his fingers trembling slightly as if ready to shatter.

As he sat lost in his thoughts, two figures strode into the room.

Victor's cloudy eyes slowly lifted.

They were here.

Tina and Jared casually pulled up chairs and sat down in the hall as if they owned the place.

"Mr. Bailey," Tina said with a faint smile, "long time no see."

Victor's expression froze.

Long time? You dragged me into court just days ago!

Victor steadied his trembling fingers, his eyes filled with a mix of resentment and dread. Chuckling dryly, he said, "Let's get to the point, shall we? There's no need for small talk between us." Once, he might have relied on Ella Bailey's connection to the Farrell family for a shred of leverage.

But now, Claudia was after his life.

Even if the Farrell family stood against her, what could they do?

Though Tina and Jared had saved him, Victor didn't believe they'd done it out of kindness.

He scoffed. "You're here to take action against the Bailey family, aren't you?"

Tina's lips curled. "It seems you understand the situation quite well."

Victor laughed bitterly, his tone mocking. "You didn't need to bring so many people. If you could take down the Langdon family, what chance does the Bailey family stand?"

Tina raised an eyebrow. "Who knows? Maybe you're even stronger than they were."novelbin

Victor's face twisted in frustration.

Was she serious? Did she think he could compare to the Langdon family?