Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 927: As Long as He Doesn't Blow Up the Kitchen Hugo and Jennie stood frozen as Tina, suppressing her frustration, said goodbye to them and left. She headed downstairs, where Ruud was blocking Jared's path. "You sit in the front. I'll sit in the back with Tina," Ruud declared.

He wasn't about to let Jared cozy up to his precious daughter right in front of him. What did they take him for? Blind? Jared raised his hand, his gaze shifting to the car with the Pace family emblem parked nearby. "Father, that's my car. Yours is over there." Ruud replied with righteous confidence, "Who told you I cin a car? I don't even recognize that one!" "Ha!" Hayden couldn't hold back his laughter.

Finally, the heavens had aligned. If the brothers saw this scene, they'd be overjoyed. Jared, the infamous hard case, was finally meeting his match in front of Serena. Tina: Couldn't he just drive himself home? The Pace family mansion.

The brightly lit hall was serene as Alina sat on the sofa, flipping through an ancient book. Seeing her husband and daughter enter together, a trace of warmth softened her expression. "You're back," she said.

Ruud approached her eagerly, scooping her up in a joyful spin before planting a kiss on her cheek. "Darling, you wouldn't believe how rewarding this trip was. All thanks to your advice!" Alina returned his affection with a gentle kiss and patted his head lovingly. "I told you, as long as you take the right approach, success will come." Ruud's eyes gleamed with excitement as he leaned in for another kiss, but Alina pushed him back with a single finger.

"Our daughter is watching." Tina scoffed, pulling out a chair and sitting down. "Oh, so you remember you have a daughter? I thought I'd been completely sidelined." Ruud wanted to explain, but Alina stopped him with a look.

Tina's irritation bubbled over. She knew her mother had a romantic streak, but this level of infatuation was something else. Put her and Ruud in the sroom, and it was like she didn't even exist. "So you're the one who sent him to the Reed family?" Alina nodded. "Tina, your father genuinely wants to get closer to you. He knows he owes you a lot and is trying to make amends. Give him a chance." Tina narrowed her eyes. "I told you, I'm not buying it." Ruud panicked, worried the two would start arguing again. "Darling, Tina, this is my fault-" "Shut it. No one asked for your input!" Mother and daughter spoke in unison.

Ruud: "..." Unwilling to escalate the tension, Tina turned and headed upstairs.

Ruud grew even more anxious, but Alina remained calm. "The matter you askedto investigate has sleads," she said, her voice steady.

Tina paused mid-step. Her tone was resigned but tinged with curiosity. "As long as he doesn't blow up the kitchen, he can do whatever he wants." Earlier that morning, Alina had said this would take tand effort. Now, mere hours later, there was progress. It was obvious her mother had been setting her up all along.

Classic Alina-once she had her husband, her daughter becan afterthought.

Ruud blinked in surprise. "Does this mean our daughter is okay withcooking for her?" Alina's lips curved into a smile as she turned to Ruud, taking his hand. "Don't worry, love. Just use all one hundred of your tricks to win her over. If one doesn't work, try all one hundred. Persistence will pay off, and one day, she'll soften." Ruud nodded enthusiastically, his voice thick with emotion. "You're the best." The next morning.

As Tina stepped out of her room, the clinking and clattering from downstairs caught her attention. Her expression remained calm as she descended the stairs.

At the dining table, Alina rested her chin in her hand, smiling dreamily in the direction of the kitchen.

Her gaze landed on Ruud, who was busy showcasing his culinary prowess.

Her husband was simply too handsome.

Tina: "..." It was too early for this level of public displays of affection. She couldn't believe her parents sometimes. Noticing Tina, Alina's interest sharpened. "Cover. Your father is making your favorite dish." Tina: Could she say no? She walked to the dining table, giving Ruud, who was fumbling around in the kitchen, a quick glance before sitting across from her mother. She strategically positioned herself to block Alina's intense, lovestruck gaze. "Where is it?" Alina, slightly disappointed at losing sight of her husband, picked up the ancient book beside her and casually tossed it onto the table in front of Tina, as though it were a bag of snacks. "Everything you're looking for is in here. But letwarn you, this book has a bit of a... sinister vibe." "What do you mean?" Tina asked.

Alina gave her a knowing look, deliberately withholding details. "Read it first." Tina flipped through a few pages, her brows furrowing. "Didn't you say this had something to do with foreign affairs?" Alina's eyes narrowed slightly. "It does. And it doesn't." "Those symbols are indeed tied to a foreign family called the Romo family. Decades ago, they vanished overnight after a major incident. Since then, all traces of them have been wiped clean. But I find it curious-what kind of connection would a foreign family from a century ago have with matters here?" Tina stayed silent, sensing that Alina was about to get to the heart of the matter.

Alina's finger hovered over an intricate design within the book, pointing at a specific pattern. "See this? When simplified and layered, it forms this exact symbol." Tina stared at the emblem, piecing together its significance. It was likely the crest of a once-powerful family, though the details had been deliberately obscured.

"Could this be the work of one of the hidden families?" Tina asked, her tone cautious.

Alina shook her head. "I can't say for certain yet. I'll need more tto investigate. But one thing. symbols tied to a greater force. I'll to is clear this keep digging on this end. Meanwhile, you can focus on the Romo family." Tina pressed her lips together and nodded. No family disappears without reason, especially not overnight.

"Alina, Tina, ctaste the noodles I made!" Ruud emerged from the kitchen, proudly carrying two bowls of noodles. His face was still dusted with flour.

Alina's expression softened instantly, her eyes filled with adoration as she looked at her husbandt smells amazing. Of course, it's delicious-my husband made it. It must be perfect." Tina: "..." Ruud set the tray down, bolstered by Alina's encouragement, and turned his hopeful gaze to Tina. His excitement was almost palpable. "Tina." Alina gave her a subtle nudge with her eyes.

Tina sighed inwardly.

She glanced at the bowl in front of her, where the noodles and broth were nearly indistinguishable. Reluctantly, she muttered, "Not bad." "Really?" Ruud's grin stretched wide enough to light up the room. "If you like it, I can make this for you every day!" Tina: Please, no need.

Under their expectant gazes, Tina resigned herself to picking up her chopsticks and taking a bite.

"How is it?" Ruud leaned in, so close he was practically shoving the bowl into her face.

Tina paused briefly, then nodded with a neutral expression. She swapped her chopsticks for a spoon and N polished off the bowl in two minutes flat. Ruud's emotions surged, a rollercoaster of nerves and elation. At least, for now, he felt a small victory.