Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Mark ended the call, walked over to the bookshelf, and opened a hidden compartment. From inside, he took out half a mask and placed it on his face. Grabbing a black cloak, he draped it over his arm and stepped out the door. In the castle's basement, River felt like she had been trapped underground for an eternity.

Her wounds had festered, itching and throbbing with pain. Fevers came and went in relentless waves, but still, the door never opened.

The food and medicine Jon had brought her last time were gone by the first day. Desperation had driven her to scavenging scraps from rat holes and drinking the filthy water that seeped into the corners of the room. Time had become meaningless. River didn't know how many days had passed outside. All she knew was that every four hours, the fever would return, yet she dared not overuse the medicine.

Jon had warned her: unless her fever left her completely delirious, she mustn't take more. Otherwise, she wouldn't survive these seven days.

In her fevered haze, images of Ruud's wedding flashed incessantly in her mind.

She couldn't accept it.

She had waited for him for so many years. She had loved only him. How could he turn around and marry someone else?

It must have been Alina. That wretched woman must have used some shameless trick to seduce him. That had to be it.

Otherwise, how could they have had a child so quickly?

"River!"

Ruud's voice suddenly echoed in her ears. River knew her mind was slipping again.

Ruud would never know that her years of waiting, her obsessive love for him, had turned into something far darker-an all-consuming madness. If she couldn't have him, she'd rather die.

Jon frowned as he looked down at River's pale, fever-stricken face. Without hesitation, he pried her mouth open and forced the medicine down her throat. Twenty minutes later, River woke up. Her gaze, unfocused at first, snapped into clarity when she saw Jon and the faint light spilling in from the door.

Gripping Jon's hand tightly, as though it were her lifeline, she rasped, "Brother, you finally came!"

"What did Grandpa say? Has he forgiven me? When can I leave..."

Jon glanced at her, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Grandpa said, the seven days aren't over yet. You can't leave."

"Seven days..."

The light in River's eyes extinguished instantly. "No... Grandpa wouldn't just sit back and watch me die. Brother, please, beg Grandpa for me again. I'm his granddaughter. I can't just die like this..." Jon's gaze darkened slightly. He pressed her trembling hand down. "You're my only sister. Even if he allows it, I won't let you die."

River's heart clenched. "Brother, did Grandpa strip you of your power in the company?"

Jon shook his head. "Grandpa said that if you can earn the Pace family's forgiveness, you'll be allowed to return."

River bit her bloodless lips.

She knew how ruthless her grandfather could be. If she didn't meet his demands, the punishments that followed would only be harsher.

But this was the only path forward.

Jon pulled out a package of food and handed it to her. "Once this is over, I'll ask Grandpa to arrange a better match for you. Don't provoke the Pace family again. They've already started taking action." "We have to move quickly. Everything in the Swanson family belongs to us."

Seeing the food, River cast aside the etiquette she had been taught and devoured it voraciously, not leaving a single crumb behind.

Watching her, Jon's eyes flickered with a shadow of something dark and obsessive. Still, his hand gently patted her scarred back. "Eat slower. Just endure a few more days, and I'll get you out of here." River knew that no matter what, Jon would never abandon her.

But while Jon wanted the Swanson family's power, what River wanted was Ruud.

She had to have him.

The next morning, Tina and Ruud descended the stairs together.

Glancing up, Tina immediately noticed the redness in Ruud's eyes and the heavy air of melancholy surrounding him.

She couldn't help but blurt out, "Are you okay?"

It was the first time Ruud had heard his daughter express concern for him. Overwhelmed, he quickly tried to cover his emotions. "I'm fine. Just... allergies..."

Tina stared at him skeptically. "..."

It definitely wasn't what she thought.

Ruud hesitated before speaking again. "Uh, Tina, your grandfather invited us over today. It's a family dinner to celebrate the marriage. Even though your mother and I just had a small ceremony, we can't skip the formalities..." "What's for breakfast?"

Ruud froze for a few seconds, then stammered, "You... you still want to eat my cooking? I thought you..."

"You have ten minutes."

"I'll get started!"

Tina sighed and followed him downstairs, unable to fathom how someone so chatty had ever become General Praevion.

Upstairs, Alina stood watching the father and daughter pair. A soft smile unconsciously spread across her lips.

---

At the Brookes family estate, Ian and his sons were already waiting by the entrance when Ruud's family arrived.

As soon as Tina stepped out of the car, Mimi and Kiki, who had been standing beside Scarlett, ran toward her. "Mimi! Kiki!"

Alina, supported by Ruud as she got out of the car, feigned jealousy. "Mimi, Kiki, have you forgotten your aunt?" The two children responded in unison, "We want both!"

Laughter erupted from the group.

Feeling a warmth in her chest, Tina bent down to scoop up the two little ones, holding one in each arm.

Ruud carried the gifts as he and Alina approached Ian, both greeting him in unison. "Dad."

Tina, holding the children, made her way over to greet her uncles and aunts before finally stopping in front of Ian. She smiled politely. "Grandpa." Ian's eyes crinkled with joy as he took one of Alina's hands and one of Tina's. "It's good to have you here. Come inside."noveldrama

Ruud stood awkwardly to the side. "...?"

What did I say wrong? Why am I being ignored?

Inside the house, Scarlett smiled as she reached out to take the children from Tina. "Mimi, Kiki, come down. Don't tire your sister."

But the two little ones clung even tighter to Tina, refusing to leave her arms.

Scarlett sighed in exasperation. "It's my fault for spoiling them. They don't even listen to me anymore."

Tina smiled lightly, adjusting the children in her arms. "It's fine. You all chat. I'll keep Mimi and Kiki company."

With that, she carried the two toward the garden.

Before leaving, she glanced back at the living room.

The Brookes family had gathered around Alina, showering her with care and attention.

Meanwhile, Ruud sat alone, looking forlorn as he watched his wife being pulled away by others, unable to get a word in edgewise.

At that moment, he looked pitiful.

The thought struck Tina for a brief second before she quickly dismissed it.

Why should I pity him? Who's pitying me?