Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

The four pairs of eyes locked on him at once, like X-rays scanning Hayden from head to toe.

He felt a wave of guilt rising. "Uh, I...," he stammered.

"Speak clearly! If you dare say one wrong word, I'll break your legs!"

Zane Cohen's roar made Hayden's already nervous heart tremble even more.

Shaking like a leaf, he hurriedly recounted the events from two days ago, though his storytelling was anything but coherent. Worried that Tina wouldn't understand, he added, "Serena, I swear I didn't say anything! Paula just suddenly refused to go any further. She didn't even let me step into the White house-she just said the engagement was off."

Tina looked puzzled but didn't doubt her understanding of Paula's character.

Without hesitation, she asked, "Do you not want to marry her, or do you not like her?"

The abrupt question left Hayden stunned. Serena's tone was unusually stern.

Faced with their collective interrogation, Hayden felt embarrassed. But under Serena's oppressive

gaze, he had no choice but to respond. "I-I like her, Serena. You know that..."

Tina cut him off impatiently, "If you like her, why hesitate?"

"Huh?" Hayden blinked, confused. "Hesitate about what?"

Tina remained silent, her expression making it clear she was losing patience.

Jared, standing nearby, sighed. At this point, he wanted to smack Hayden on the head. Did this guy's brain exist solely as a height prop?

No wonder they called him a husky-it was entirely fitting.

"When Paula asked you to propose to the White family, why did you hesitate?" Tina pressed. Hayden's face turned red as he mumbled awkwardly, "It's just... isn't it too fast?"

Damon, seated nearby, hurled a cup at him in frustration, his teeth grinding audibly. "Fast, my ass! That girl from the White family has liked you for nearly twenty years, and yet here you are, playing dumb like a brainless idiot every single day. If your eyes are useless, just gouge them out and throw them away!"

Zane Cohen hurriedly held his father back. "Dad, don't waste your energy on someone like him. He's not worth it."

Hayden was speechless.

Wasn't he still the youngest and most doted-on son of the Cohen family?

Jared intervened, reassuring Damon, "Let us handle Hayden. We'll make sure he learns a lesson."

With Jared's promise, Damon finally calmed down. He clutched his chest and left to fetch his blood pressure medication.

Any longer in Hayden's presence, and he was certain that his grandson's idiocy would drive him to an early grave.

Thinking back, he wondered if something had gone wrong during Hayden's conception. How else could his grandson have turned out this dense?

"Sir, the White family sent something over."

The butler entered the room, holding a package in his hands.

Hearing the words "White family," Hayden's face lit up with delight. "See? I told you Paula wouldn't actually give up on me. She was just angry. All that talk about marrying someone else was just an act..."

He eagerly grabbed the package from the butler, but the Cohen family patriarch's face had already darkened.

Fortunately, Damon had already gone to the backyard. If he had seen this, the Cohen family's skies would have turned black for the day.

As Zane's expression grew grimmer, Hayden instinctively took a step back, swallowing nervously.

"Dad, let's talk this out. Violence doesn't solve anything."

Zane slammed the package onto the table and picked up a whip. "It doesn't have to solve

anything. As long as it makes me feel better, that's enough."

"Ah!" Hayden yelped.

Jared picked up the package and glanced at its contents before handing it to Tina.

Tina's eyes narrowed as she read the invitation.

Was Paula serious this time?

She had even written formal invitations.

Jared glanced at Hayden, who was currently being whipped, and frowned slightly. "He's not a complete idiot. Paula's move here is all or nothing-either she'll win, or she'll lose everything."

"She timed it perfectly, too, making sure we were here when it arrived," Tina added, setting the invitation down and getting up to leave.

Hayden panicked. "Serena, Mr. Farrell, where are you going? What about me?" Tina scoffed. "What about you? They sent an invitation. What's left to do but leave?" "Invitation? What invitation?"

Hayden froze. Another lash landed squarely on his back, but he seemed unfazed.

Striding to the table, he grabbed the package and emptied its contents.

The bold, golden letters on the red invitation stung his eyes.

An invitation?

Whose?

Hayden couldn't even muster the courage to open it. He tossed it aside, his fists clenched, his

back turned. His eyes burned red with anger. "I don't believe it. Paula can't just decide to give me

up like that. She can't marry someone else!"

It had only been two days. What was she trying to pull?

His fists tightened as he gritted his teeth and stormed toward the door.

"Stop!"

Zane's deep voice halted him in his tracks.

Hayden's tone was unreadable. "Dad, I'm going to the White family to get answers."

"And where were you earlier?" Zane retorted.

"The White family isn't just any family. The fact that they sent invitations here means they've

already prepared for everything. If you go now, you'll not only embarrass yourself but also risk

ruining their wedding."noveldrama

Hayden froze mid-step.

Zane sighed. "Paula has loved you for so many years. If she truly chose someone else, you're the last person who has the right to question her."

Hayden's mind was in turmoil.

That day, he had only hesitated outside the White family's gates for a few seconds. But it was as

if Paula had sensed it-she let go of his hand without a word.

The Paula he remembered was either loudly insisting they get married or chasing him down on her motorcycle, full of energy and determination.

How could she marry someone else now?

He hadn't even said no. He had only hesitated for a moment. He thought she'd understand...

Tina and Jared exchanged glances.

Jared spoke first, "Hayden, your uncle is right. The White family isn't like the rest of us. They're a prominent family with a reputation to uphold. If they've sent out invitations, it's highly likely this is real."

Hayden felt his heart sink further. His last hope rested on Serena. She was the only one who could reason with the White family.

"Serena, what should I do?" he asked desperately.

Tina glanced at him, her tone calm. "If I were you, I'd give up. You're no match for the White family."

Hayden gritted his teeth. "No. Even if I'm not, I have to try."

"She's mine."

"Then go and take her back!"

Hayden froze. "Take her back? You mean... steal her?"

"Serena, the White family deals in arms. They wouldn't actually blow me up, would they?"

Tina rolled her eyes. "Then stay single for the rest of your life."

With that, she walked out.

Jared gave him a look that clearly said, Good luck.

After all, the White family's status made it impossible for even the Farrell family to intervene directly. Helping Hayden stage a wedding heist against a family with access to not only heavy weaponry but also biochemical ones? That was a death wish.

As Hayden watched the pair leave without hesitation, his heart shattered.

Weren't they supposed to be here to help him?

Why did they just leave like that?

Unwilling to give up, Hayden prepared to head to the White family.

But the Cohen family patriarch was one step ahead. He ordered ropes to be brought in, ensuring Hayden was firmly tied up.

If Hayden dared to cause trouble for the White family, the Cohen family would be wiped off the map by nightfall.