Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

The group chatted for a while before Ian, overwhelmed by the antics of two children, retreated to the backyard.

Tina glanced at Master Tam, who was bent over a box, carefully inspecting its authenticity. She sighed, exasperated. "Master, you've already accepted the gift. Can we stop beating around the bush now?"

Master Tam paused, reluctantly closing the box. His tone shifted immediately. "You little rascal! What do you take me for? Didn't I say enough during our phone call yesterday?"

Among all the people in the world, Tina prided herself on knowing Master Tam best. If she claimed the top spot, no one would dare claim second.

Unless he got his hands on the wild snow lotus, there was no way he would spill the truth. He was the kind to toss a small stone to test the waters first.

Tina cast him a calm look. "Would you really reveal information equivalent to a wild snow lotus over the phone?"

Master Tam froze. He didn't reply. Of course, he hadn't said anything over the phone- he was worried the information might leak. It had taken him three days of research to gather that intel. If someone overheard and snatched it away, he'd be furious enough to spit blood.

The hall was chilly, and the tea in front of them quickly cooled. Tina sipped it, wrinkling her nose slightly at the taste.

Noticing her reaction, Jared spoke up before either of them could continue. "Master, Tina, let's talk inside. It's too drafty here."

He stood, wrapping an arm around Tina to lead her into the inner hall.

Master Tam froze, glancing outside. The weather didn't seem particularly windy to him. Have young people started embracing health preservation trends now?

Inside the reception room, Jared took a blanket from a servant and draped it over Tina's shoulders. He also handed her a cup of hot water he'd specially requested.noveldrama

If Master Tam failed to notice what was happening now, he might as well relinquish the title of "Master" he'd held for so many years. Stroking his beard, he deliberately asked, "Girl, come here and let me check how your body's doing."

Tina's eyebrows twitched. Of all things, this was the one she wanted to avoid.

If her master got involved, there was no way to keep this matter under wraps. Alina had already taken her pulse and prescribed a ten-day course of medicine. If Master Tam started poking around too, she might as well give up on leaving the house altogether.

Keeping her expression neutral, she replied, "No need, Master. Let's get to the point. I'm in a hurry."

Master Tam snorted, clearly unwilling to let it go. "You've even kept this from that old man, your grandfather. What, you think you can hide it from me too?"

Tina gazed at him silently.

Master Tam sighed, deciding to change tactics. "Fine, fine. My disciples grow up and stop listening to me. Luckily, I still have nine others. If I call them all over, at least I'll have enough for a full table..."

Tina's temples throbbed. Reluctantly, she extended her wrist. "Fine. Go ahead and check."

Jared, standing nearby, was speechless.

Master Tam's face lit up with satisfaction. "That's more like it."

He placed his fingers on her wrist, and after just two seconds, his eyes gleamed. Nodding, he smiled. "Not bad. It's a slippery pulse. Judging by this, it's most likely a girl. I've always preferred girls over those pesky boys."

Jared's eyes brightened. "Master, are you sure it's a daughter?"

Master Tam raised an eyebrow knowingly. "Ah, so you also think a daughter is best?"

Jared hesitated, catching Tina's sharp gaze. Quickly, he corrected himself. "Whether it's

a son or a daughter, as long as it's Tina's child, I'll love them both."

Master Tam chuckled, stroking his beard. "No rush. Didn't I tell you before? Your children's blessings are abundant. You won't lack for sons or daughters."

Jared's heart swelled with joy.

Before meeting Tina, he had never even thought about children. But now, the idea of having both a son and a daughter with her didn't seem so bad.

Listening to the two of them discussing children, Tina couldn't help but interject. "Are you done yet?"

Master Tam didn't immediately remove his fingers from her wrist. Instead, his expression turned more serious. "Don't rush. Your body has been through a shock recently. Are you taking medicine?"

Jared answered, "She's already started."

Master Tam pressed further. "Who prescribed it?"

Tina sighed, exasperated. "My mom."

Only then did Master Tam nod in approval, finally withdrawing his hand. He asked, "Have you figured out what's causing the palpitations?"

Tina frowned slightly. "Not yet."

She had suspected this matter was connected to Nancy, but both Wraith and the hospital tests had clearly indicated no link.

Master Tam fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "Sometimes, things aren't as they seem. If you can't identify the cause, stay away from uncertain factors for now. Your condition is special. Safety comes first."

Tina's heart stirred. She quickly connected the dots. "What did you find out about that matter?"

Master Tam glanced at her and chuckled. "I knew you wouldn't let that go."

"Historical records about that family are sparse. It seems they didn't leave many descendants. If Claudia is connected to them, it's likely through a branch family. However, there are several versions of the legend."

Tina's eyes narrowed. She thought of Claudia's obsession with her goal. "Is it about immortality?"

Master Tam nodded slightly. "Indeed. It's like stories of ghosts and gods-the more outlandish they sound, the more people believe them."

"Based on what you said, the closest version involves an ancient sacrificial ritual that requires consuming human hearts to gain power."

"But even that isn't enough to achieve immortality. Two critical items are required. Whether it truly works is unknown-either no one's tried it, or it's simply a myth."

Tina raised an eyebrow. While others might dismiss such bizarre notions, Claudia would never pass up the opportunity.

Her ambition wasn't just to gain immortality-it was to overturn the current era and rule the world. Immortality was merely a stepping stone to that goal.

Killing ten people or even a thousand meant nothing to Claudia. If it brought her closer to her dream, she wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice anyone.

"What are the two items?" Tina asked.

Master Tam's expression grew solemn. "According to the texts, one is a heart that can substitute for the original during the ritual. The other is a magical artifact activated by unique abilities."

"A substitute heart?" Tina murmured. "So that's why Claudia is so fixated on my heart." She couldn't help but smirk. What a bold choice.

Master Tam's thoughts aligned with hers. Someone dared to target his disciple? "Exactly. If Claudia's goal is truly this ritual, your heart perfectly fits the requirements. She needs a strong, young heart."

Tina remained unfazed. Claudia had tried to capture her multiple times before. It was obvious Claudia had conducted extensive research on her. However, there was one thing Tina still didn't understand.

"Why does Claudia want Uncle dead?"

She hadn't forgotten what Claudia said at the wedding: before obtaining Tina's heart, Uncle had to die.

It seemed that Uncle's death was the key to starting everything.