Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 903: River Takes Poppy to the Pace Family River's eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt as she glanced at the two servants standing nearby. Their cautious response followed after a moment of silence. "It's Miss Alina from the Pace family banquet," one of them said carefully.

River's expression darkened briefly, but in an instant, it brightened again. If enduring a moment of displeasure was the cost of visiting the Pace family, she was willing to endure it. Putting on a gentle demeanor, she smiled and said, "Alright, last twas my fault. This time, I'll make it up to you by taking you to meet Alina at the Pace family." "But we need to let Grandpa know first. Shall we go now?" she suggested.

Poppy, obedient as ever, nodded her round little head and reached out with her chubby hand to take River's. The two servants moved to follow them, but River stopped them with a calm tone. "You both stay here. I'll speak to Grandpa myself and take Poppy with me." As the words fell, Poppy's soft, white cheeks flushed pink. He said in his sweet, childlike voice, "Can you cutlots of pretty roses? I want to give them to Alina~." River's face darkened for a brief moment, and anger bubbled up inside her. This child must have been born to torment her! Suppressing her irritation, she tightened her grip on Poppy's small hand and left the servants behind. As they walked, she spoke to Poppy in a warm, coaxing tone.

"When we see Grandpa, tell him how much you want to see Alina. Be sweet, okay? Grandpa loves you the most. And, most importantly, make sure to say you wantto go with you. Mention that I took you last time, so you wantto accompany you again." Poppy nodded obediently the entire way, his bright black eyes sparkling with innocence.

When they reached the door to their grandfather Mark Swanson's room, River paused. The door was an imposing deep red, its surface etched with ancient patterns that shimmered faintly in the light. The handle, crafted from pure gold, gleamed like a beacon of authority.

Just standing outside the door, River could feel the heavy pressure emanating from within. The Swanson family children rarely approached Mark's study unless necessary-except for Poppy.

From the day Poppy was brought to the Swanson family as an infant, he seemed to have been granted special privileges. Mark adored his youngest grandson, and Poppy had visited Mark's study countless times, moving freely as if it were his own room.

Poppy, small and nimble, stood on his tiptoes and clasped the golden handle with his lotus-root-like hands. With a swift pull, he slipped inside without so much as a knock.

River, however, couldn't afford such casual behavior. She stood at the doorway and called out respectfully, "Grandpa." A deep, raspy voice from within answered, "Cin." An unsettling chill ran down River's spine. She carefully stepped inside, closing the door behind her, her demeanor one of humility and submission.

Inside, Poppy was already sitting comfortably in Mark's lap, playing joyfully with the hourglass on his desk. His chubby little hands turned it over repeatedly, his smile radiant.

Mark, wearing a half-mask that concealed one side of his face, gazed at Poppy with a rare tenderness, letting the child do as he pleased in his arms.

When Poppy grew bored of the hourglass, he slid down from Mark's lap with ease. Standing on the ground, he blinked his large, watery eyes and called out sweetly, "Grandpa, I want River to taketo the Pace family. I want to see Alina! I want to play with her." Mark stroked Poppy's soft black hair with a large, affectionate hand. Then, lifting his gaze to River, his previously gentle expression hardened, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

River froze under his piercing stare and felt her composure waver. Quickly regaining her demeanor, she spoke with feigned calmness. "Grandpa, I know that my actions last tat the Pace family brought shto the Swanson family. This time, I want to go there to apologize properly. I understand my mistakes now, and I can't let my behavior damage the relationship between the Swanson and Pace families any further." Mark ignored her words and instead looked back at Poppy. His icy, mechanical voice carried a hint of warmth when he spoke. "Poppy, are you sure you want River to accompany you? Last time, she took you without my permission and even lost you. Are you willing to trust her again?" A chill ran down River's back as she recalled the aftermath of her last failure. When she had returned to the Swanson family without Poppy, Mark's fury had been terrifying, and the punishment he had dealt out was unforgettable. She cast a hesitant, panicked glance at Poppy. Would a five-year-old truly not hold a grudge? If Poppy said no, not only would she be barred from going to the Pace family today, but she might also face Mark's wrath again.

The child's pure, glassy eyes sparkled as he smiled like an angel. "Grandpa, I want River to take me. She already apologized and said she didn't mean it. I really want to see Alina~." Poppy seemed to hold no resentment over the past incident and was entirely focused on seeing Alina.

Relief washed over River, but it was accompanied by a sense of humiliation. She, a Swanson family heir, had to rely on the forgiveness of a five-year-old? Mark's indulgence of Poppy was excessive. The more he spoiled him, the less likely the other heirs would tolerate him.

Mark's gaze didn't shift to River. Instead, he addressed Poppy with a gentle caution. "I'll have the two servants accompany you later. Be mindful of your safety at the Pace family." He then turned to River, his tone growing colder. "You'll go with Poppy as well. Make sure nothing improper happens again. Most importantly, ensure that Poppy enjoys himself and returns satisfied. I won't allow a repeat of what happened last time." River straightened her back and answered nervously, "I'll guarantee Poppy's safety this time. There won't be any mistakes." Mark said more, and River took the cue to retreat with Poppy.

From the second floor of the castle, a man lounged idly on the windowsill, one long leg dangling as he watched River and Poppy leave. His expression was one of amused curiosity.

At the entrance of the Pace family estate, River stepped out of the car, meticulously dressed, holding 19.

Poppy's small hand with practiced elegance. The two servants followed close behind. River approached the two guards at the gate and spoke softly, "Could you please inform them that Poppy Swanson is here to see Alina?" The guards recognized her immediately as the woman who had been thrown out during her last visit. Their eyes filled with suspicion as they made the call to report her arrival.

Inside the grand hall, Tina was seated on the sofa, analyzing the routes of suspicious vehicles and scrutinizing every detail.

Nearby, Alina and Ruud were working on their wedding invitations. The invitations, designed by Tina, om featured an elegant white thwith intricate floral patterns. A delicate purple ribbon was threaded through each one, and the outer layer was sealed with red wax.

Ruud handled threading the ribbons, while Alina signed her nin bold, flowing strokes. Once done, Ruud О pressed the wax seal onto the Q envelopes. The two worked in harmony, their warm and cheerful atmosphere filling the room. The butler approached and announced, "Madam, the gate guards report that Poppy Swanson is here to see you." Alina paused mid-stroke, her pen hovering over the page. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Let him in. I didn't go looking for him, yet here he is coming to findinstead."