Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

When Hayden called again, Tina rejected the call outright.

Hayden was good in many ways, but he just wasn't sharp enough.

Putting aside the hidden family, the White family now had the backing of national protection. They also held significant power in weapons manufacturing, and Paula was the sole heir of the White family.

With conditions like these, marrying into the family-or even being accepted as a live-in son-in- law-was an absolute win for him. And yet, he hesitated?

No wonder his code name was "Husky."

It fit him perfectly.

Jared noticed the slight pout at the corner of her lips and chuckled. "Still mad?"

Tina sighed helplessly. "I just don't get what Paula sees in him."

Jared gave a fair assessment. "Hayden might be dense when it comes to emotions, but

professionally, he's never lost to anyone his age. He's even better."

Time and time again, Hayden had charged into danger and completed missions flawlessly.

As a long-time friend and superior, Jared had never doubted Hayden's abilities.

Tina's lips curved into a confident smile. "People from Serenity Ridge are never mediocre. Don't worry, Paula's bet will pay off this time."

Even if Hayden had one breath left, he'd bring her back.

Jared raised an eyebrow. "You sound so sure."

Tina nodded, her protective instinct kicking in. "Of course, I know my own brother. He's no fool." Jared smiled and said no more.

It was nearing noon when the two of them headed toward their destination.

Inside a specially designed room, an old man sat cross-legged on the floor in meditation, his back turned to the door, silhouetted against the light.

Standing at the doorway, Tina glanced at the man next to her. "How long has he been like this?" Jayden lowered his head and responded, "Since he was brought here, he hasn't said a word or taken a sip of water."

Tina sneered coldly, just about to speak, when someone approached to report.

"Young Master, the man named Kevin suddenly collapsed."

Tina cast a glance at the unresponsive old man inside the room and signaled to Jared. "Uncle, keep an eye on him for me. I'll go check it out."

In another room, Kevin lay on a makeshift bed pieced together from tables. His face and lips

were an unnatural ashen gray, and blood had seeped from the corners of his mouth.

Tina felt his pulse for a moment, then pulled out a set of silver needles to administer acupuncture.

She only sealed a few critical acupoints on his body. Tina never wasted her efforts saving someone who sought death.

Moments later, Kevin regained consciousness. His gaze flickered with understanding as he looked at Tina and Jared sitting nearby.

Tina sat in a chair, her tone indifferent. "Tell me about the poison in your body."

From the events at the Swanson family that day, she had already seen through Kevin's intentions.

He didn't want the Swanson family's fortune; he wanted to perish with them.

He wanted the Swanson family to bury him with them.

But there was still someone he couldn't let go of in his heart.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have hesitated to destroy the entire Swanson family that day.

Kevin struggled to sit up, leaning sideways. "I'd like to ask Miss Reed for a favor."

Tina frowned. "You want to entrust Poppy to me?"

Kevin froze, his lips curving into a bitter smile. "Miss Reed guessed right. Poppy is the only thing I can't let go of now."

Tina told him bluntly, "You won't die. The poison in your body isn't hard to cure."

Kevin pressed his lips together and shook his head. "It's no use."

"The poison in my body is exactly the same as what my father suffered. It looks like an ordinary toxin, one that doesn't even show its cause. But once you turn thirty, no remedy works anymore. You can only wait to die."noveldrama

A glimmer of thought flashed in Tina's eyes. "You're saying your father had the same symptoms?" Kevin's gaze darkened. "Not just my father. Before Kaleigh, I had a younger brother with the same condition, but he died before he even turned one. Afterward, my grandfather brought Kaleigh into the family, saying it was to fill the void."

Tina began piecing things together. "Do you know the source of the toxin in your body?"

Kevin shook his head. Initially, he had thought the poison came from Jon, but later, he realized it didn't.

This toxin seemed to arise naturally within the body, growing more severe with age until all vitality was drained, leading to death.

Tina decided to tell him the truth.

"Orion Woodwind-your grandfather-wasn't actually a Swanson. He was a descendant of the hidden family. To master his abilities, he used a forbidden technique that drew on the life force of his descendants. You and your father were the cursed ones."

Kevin's chest heaved, his pale hands clenching into fists. "So it really was him?"

"No wonder my father went mad trying to leave the Swanson family. He's a monster... a monster who ruined the entire Swanson family."

Tina placed a pill on the table. "I can't completely cure the poison in your body yet, but I can extend your life by a year or two."

This toxin wasn't a conventional poison. She needed to do more research to find the right antidote.

Or perhaps her master, with his vast knowledge, might know something about it.

Worst case, she'd return his prized black agarwood bracelet to him in exchange.

As Tina turned to leave, Kevin called out to her. "Miss Reed!"

She paused and looked back. "Anything else?"

Kevin spoke slowly. "I only worked with Claudia to uncover my grandfather's secrets. I knew Claudia's motives weren't simple. The things in the lab were meaningless, and I was well aware of everything River did. She wasn't valued by Claudia, either."

Tina nodded. "I know."

Having said what was on his mind, Kevin seemed to feel a sense of relief. "Hearing what you just said, I think I was right all along. The Swanson family was never meant to exist."

Tina agreed. "You're right. The Swanson family won't exist anymore."

As for Jon and Kaleigh, she'd leave them to their own devices.

Returning to the surveillance room, Tina saw Jared still interrogating Orion Woodwind. She didn't go in.

She had already guessed most of Orion's thoughts.

Claudia sought immortality, while Orion craved absolute power within the hidden family. Their partnership was built on mutual belief that the other could help them achieve their goals. Orion's stubbornness was rooted in this belief.

As long as Claudia lived, he clung to the hope of one day dominating the hidden family.

Jared walked over to find Tina lost in thought. There was a hint of playful interest in her expression.

He leaned over the back of her chair, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "What are you thinking about so deeply?"

Tina turned and kissed his cheek, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Uncle, make me strawberry cake tonight. I'm craving it."

Jared's surprise quickly turned into indulgence. "Tonight?"

Tina's gaze was firm. "Yes, tonight."

It had been days since she'd last had Uncle's homemade strawberry cake. If she didn't get it tonight, she wouldn't be able to sleep.