Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

At that moment, Alina tasted the noodles Jared handed to her. The familiar flavor filled her mouth, and her expression shifted several times before she managed to compose herself. She didn't want to seem too obvious and give herself away. "Is it not good?" Ruud's heart sank.

To avoid hurting Ruud's confidence, Alina quickly shook her head. "No, I think it's all good. Each dish has its own unique flavor. If I had to choose, I'd call it a tie."

Tina, "..."

Jared, "..."

Alina's blatant favoritism touched Ruud, though he already knew the outcome of this little competition. To ensure fairness, the bowls had been mixed, their ownership revealed only by hidden marks. But at this point, there wasn't much need to check.

Ruud was well aware of his own culinary skills-or lack thereof. Even he couldn't stomach the food he made. Only his wife had always supported him, encouraging everything he wanted to try.

Seeing the disappointment in Ruud's eyes, Alina gently took his hand and comforted him, her voice soft. "It's okay. Cooking just isn't your strength. That doesn't mean you're not a good father. Tina is all grown up now. Express yourself however feels right for you. Don't force yourself to learn these things."

Tina unexpectedly chimed in, "I agree."

In truth, she just didn't want to endure another round of Ruud's cooking-it was pure torture.

Ruud's eyes lit up. "Daughter, does this mean you've accepted me?"

Tina deadpanned, "I'm just agreeing that you shouldn't cook."

The light in Ruud's eyes dimmed again.

Jared's lips curved slightly. "If you're interested, I can help."

Still fuming, Ruud's temper flared at Jared's teasing remark. "I don't need you! I have someone to teach me!"

Jared nodded calmly. "In that case, I trust you'll honor the competition's rules."

Ruud scoffed, realizing Jared had been waiting for this moment. "But my consent alone isn't enough. Tina's uncles from the Brookes family are bound to oppose. You know how highly they regard her. If they don't approve, there's nothing I can do."

His expression said it all: If you're so capable, go convince the Brookes family.

Tina, "..."

She knew it. A sly old fox.

Jared seemed to have anticipated this. He gave Tina a reassuring look before respectfully addressing Ruud. "I'm here today to seek your opinion. As for her uncles, I'll personally visit and persuade them. I won't make things difficult for you." Jared's smooth words left Ruud momentarily speechless. But recalling the fiercely protective nature of the Brookes brothers, a glint of mischief flickered in Ruud's eyes. "Well then, I wish you luck."

The group escorted Jared to the door. As he left, Jared casually glanced back at the Pace family home. "Have you noticed anything unusual these past two days?"

Tina's gaze deepened. "Not yet. But the quieter things are, the more it means someone's about to make a move."

---

The next day, with Ruud no longer in the kitchen, the family gathered for another meal with Warren.

At the table, Boris suddenly spoke, "Dad, Aunt Mia has been complaining about the new chef's cooking lately. When I visited her yesterday, she didn't look well. And on top of that, she's injured. I'm worried..." "Then get someone else to replace the chef," Warren said sternly.

"But hiring a new chef takes time. Maybe for now, Aunt Mia can come here..."

Before Boris could finish, Warren silenced him with a sharp glare.

"I'm only concerned for Aunt Mia's safety..." Boris muttered, his voice trailing off.

Ruud sneered. "Why don't you move in with her? You can take care of her personally."

"Ruud, you-" Boris's face flushed red. But one look at Ruud's cold, unyielding gaze, and he dared not utter another word. His fear of Ruud was deeply ingrained.

Just then, the butler hurried in to report to Warren. "Sir, someone from the Swanson family has arrived."

Warren's expression darkened. "They still have the audacity to show up?"

"Who is it?" Tina asked, her voice calm yet curious.

"It's Miss River Swanson. She's kneeling at the front gate, saying she won't leave until Master Ruud forgives her."

Alina interjected before the butler could finish. "What exactly is she saying?"

The butler hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "She said she won't stop kneeling until Master Ruud forgives her."

Alina's eyes narrowed, her tone indifferent. "If she enjoys kneeling so much, let her continue."

With that, she turned to Warren. "Dad, I'm finished eating."

Ruud stood up with her and instructed the butler, "Tell her to kneel farther away. Don't dirty the Pace family's grounds."

Warren said nothing, but his anger was even more evident than Ruud's. The Swanson family was a prominent name in Ashbury, yet they allowed their younger generation to act so disgracefully. It was a complete embarrassment to their family

name.

Especially River-her malicious intentions toward Ruud were well-known. She was despicable.

Boris kept his head low, not daring to make a sound. After the last incident, Warren had given him a severe scolding, questioning whether he'd lost his mind to help an outsider tarnish the family's reputation. Any further misstep, and there would be no place for him in the Pace family.

Tina glanced at Boris before looking outside. Her eyes turned icy. The Swanson family really doesn't know when to stop.

Outside the Pace family gates, River knelt in a white dress, her face pale and sickly. She looked as though a light breeze could knock her over.

When the gates opened, River's heart leapt. She thought it was Ruud. But upon seeing the butler, disappointment washed over her.

The butler spoke, his tone formal yet detached. "Miss Swanson, Master Ruud asked me to deliver a message."

River's eyes lit up with hope. "Did Ruud..."

The butler's words were merciless. "Master Ruud said to kneel farther away. Don't dirty the Pace family's property."

River's face froze. She thought her actions would earn her Ruud's sympathy. Instead, he didn't even grant her a shred of dignity.noveldrama

The butler left without another word. Outside, only two guards remained, keeping a close watch on River. After the last incident, they had been reprimanded and were determined not to let anyone like her approach the family again. Ignored by all, River lasted less than three hours before collapsing.

The Pace family didn't lift a finger to help. Eventually, someone from the Swanson family came to take her away.

---

When Kaleigh heard about the incident, she immediately rushed to River's room. Seeing River lying on the bed, her face as pale as paper, Kaleigh's eyes narrowed. Her expression softened into one of concern. "What happened? How did you get hurt so badly?"

River instinctively adjusted her clothes, unwilling to let Kaleigh see her humiliation. "I'm fine. Just low blood sugar."

Kaleigh's lips curled into a sly smile. "I heard about what happened. How could the Pace family be so heartless? Even if they don't care about your feelings for Ruud, they shouldn't treat you like this. You're the heir to the Swanson family, after all."