Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 899: LetIntroduce My Husband, Jared Grandpa Pace sat at the head of the table. One side could seat four people, and naturally, Ruud, Alina, Jared, and Tina chose to sit together, leaving the other side temporarily unoccupied. Before long, Boris and Edwin entered. Even Edwin, who was usually busy and rarely home, had made the effort to return for dinner tonight.

Tina's gaze discreetly landed on Boris. Recently, her people had reported that Boris had been busy searching for something. She was curious-what was he trying to find? Could he succeed? And more importantly, would Claudia be dragged into it? As soon as Boris walked in, he forced a guilty smile. "Brother, Dad, I just ran into Edwin as I walked in. What a coincidence!" Grandpa Pace didn't respond much, only stating in a deep voice, "Take your seats. And call Mia down to join us for dinner." Mia descended the stairs slowly, one step at a time, exuding an air of elegance. She took her seat to Grandpa Pace's right, her piercing gaze sweeping over every member of the Pace family.

When her eyes landed on Jared, her brows furrowed deeply, the wrinkles on her face forming sharp creases. Her voice was low and displeased. "It's a family dinner, after all. I've just returned, and for my first meal back, you bring along someone I don't know." The atmosphere immediately bectense.

Tina's eyes turned icy, sharp as a blade, as she spoke. "Letintroduce him-Jared, my husband." This was the first tTina had publicly referred to Jared as her husband in front of others. Previously, she always called him "Uncle." To Tina, it had been just a title, something insignificant. But since someone clearly wanted to pick a fight over it, she wasn't going to let them have their way.

Mia chuckled coldly, her expression dark as she eyed Tina. "I barely said a word, and you're already rushing to defend him. If something were to happen to the Pace family in the future and they needed your support, would your loyalties lie entirely with him?" "Enough! Stop this nonsense!" Grandpa Pace's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "I gathered everyone here for dinner, not for arguments. Jared and Tina are married now; that makes him family. And in this family, we don't draw lines between us! Now, on to another important matter: I've decided that this week, we'll pick an auspicious day for Ruud and Alina's wedding." "On the day of the wedding, every member of the Pace family must be present!" "Don't worry, Dad. Ruud's wedding is a joyous occasion for all of us. I will definitely be there," Edwin said, breaking the awkward silence. Polite and composed, he picked up a glass of red wine, poured sfor himself, and raised it in a toast to Ruud and Alina.

Ruud grinned and downed his glass. "That's my good brother!" Boris, seated at the table, couldn't hide his discomfort. Ruud's words-where did that leave him? Suppressing his resentment, Boris grabbed his glass and stood, mimicking Edwin's gesture as he toasted Ruud. Ruud drank again without hesitation, his joy apparent. Alina watched him with a smile full of affection.

Tina, meanwhile, picked up the communal chopsticks and served a dish to Alina. Then, she served dishes to Jared and Grandpa Pace before turning to Alina with casual intent. "Mom, Uncle was just tellingabout a case. In Ashbury, a woman's heart was removed, and the culprit hasn't been found yet." A flicker of doubt crossed Alina's face as she furrowed her brows. "When did you hear about this?" Tina took a bite of braised pork, speaking indistinctly as she chewed. "It cto light tonight. The news is still under wraps. Not sure if it's the first case in Ashbury or if similar incidents have happened elsewhere." "What use could someone have for removing hearts?" Alina wondered aloud, shaking her head as she picked up a piece of chicken. "This isn't clear yet, but it might be worth investigating if such cases have occurred in other regions." Tina nodded. "I was thinking the sthing. Mom, you should avoid going out too much. It's not safe outside." Alina, unbothered, continued eating. However, Boris, who had been about to take a bite, felt a wave of nausea. Were Tina and Alina doing this on purpose? Looking at the sumptuous spread before him, Boris suddenly lost his appetite. All he could think about was the image of a bloody, torn heart.

When his gaze landed on Tina and Alina, both calmly eating meat, he found them utterly grotesque.

Ruud noticed Boris's dark expression as he stared at his wife and daughter. A storm of displeasure clouded Ruud's face. His lips tightened into a grim line as he spoke coldly. "Boris, is the food not to your liking?" Boris straightened his back in fright, stammering, "No... no, I just got distracted..." Suppressing his nausea, he forced himself to eat svegetables and washed them down with red wine.

Mia frowned, muttering in her usual sour tone. "Who could eat properly with talk of people's hearts being dug out? Why blBoris?" Ruud raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with insolence. "A man of the Pace family isn't a coward. If a single sentence ruins your appetite, what else can you accomplish?" Boris shrank back like a scolded child, nodding stiffly, his eyes filled with resentment. Ruud's family was his nemesis. As long as they were around, he would never have any peace.

Grandpa Pace, uninterested in petty squabbles, spoke up cheerfully. "Ruud, did you finalize Alina's wedding dress today?" Hearing this, Alina's face lit up with joy. She answered on Ruud's behalf, "Dad, the dress is almost ready, and I love the custom design Ruud arranged!"

Grandpa Pace smiled warmly. "Tomorrow, I'll go talk to lan and bevat make arrangements. The sooner we hold the wedding, the better. Then I can finally be at ease. After all, the Pace family owes you far too much, Alina." Alina's smile remained gentle. "I've never cared about that. Even having Tina was my own choice. Now that our family is happy, that's the best outcome. Let's not talk about debts or obligations." Under the table, Ruud clasped her hand warmly. His eyes were filled with tenderness.

The next morning, Grandpa Pace, Ruud, and Alina paid a visit to the Brookes family.

When they arrived, lan was seated at a chessboard, deep in thought about on his next move. Opposite him was a familiar figure to Alina-Master Tam. Master Tam frowned, jabbing a finger at the chessboard impatiently. "Ian, hurry up! Stop dragging this out!" lan snorted in defiance. "You old coot, what's the rush? I'll make my move right now!" From a distance, Grandpa Pace's hearty laughter rang out. Alina and Ruud helped him into the Brookes family's courtyard.

lan's eyes lit up the moment he saw Alina. He stood up abruptly. "Ah! Alina's here! She still cares about me!" Alina walked over quickly, taking lan's hands in hers with a warm smile. "Dad, I'm back! Ruud, Mr. Pace, and I cto see you."

lan and Grandpa Pace exchanged a brief, understanding look. Ian's tone softened. "You and Ruud cinside. Let's talk there. Alina, stay here and finish the chess gfor me. Make sure you win!"