Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

River knelt in the grand hall, her face pale and trembling. Mia glanced at her, letting out a cold snort but saying nothing further. Moments later, Warren stormed in. His eyes instantly landed on River, and his face darkened with fury. "Who let you in here? Get out!" River flinched and instinctively moved to hide behind Mia. "Aunt Mia..."

Mia remained calm, lifting her gaze toward the second floor as she replied, "I let her in. That incident is in the past now. If you keep making her kneel outside, it'll be the Pace family's reputation that suffers." Warren's anger flared. "Who said it's in the past? She ruined Alina's name with her schemes and almost destroyed her wedding to Ruud. Do you think it's up to you to forgive her?"

Mia shrugged indifferently. "I'm their aunt. Do I need to consult them over such a trivial matter? She's here to apologize. What more do they want?"

Her voice turned sharp. "Brother, don't forget-the head of the Pace family is you, not them."

But Warren wasn't swayed by Mia's reasoning. He barked an order. "Guards! Get her out of here. From now on, no one from the Swanson family is allowed to set foot in our home!"

Then, turning to Mia, his expression hardened further. "And you! Why aren't you resting and recovering in the back? What are you doing here? Get back there immediately!"

Mia's face darkened. She slammed her hand on the table. "Brother, if you think I'm such a burden to the Pace family, why don't you kick me out altogether? That way, I won't offend your precious eyes for even a second longer." "You!" Warren's chest heaved with rage. "Fine! If you insist on meddling in the children's affairs, then you can leave with her. Don't stay here and be an eyesore!"

Mia froze, stunned that Warren would actually go that far. Though not a blood relative, she had been treated like family for years, and she'd never anticipated being cast out over something so trivial.

Her face turned ashen. "Fine! If you can't tolerate having me as your sister, then I don't need to stay in this house!"

She huffed angrily, threatening to pack her things, but her complaints didn't translate into action.

From the second floor, Alina and Ruud had been listening to the entire exchange. Alina, realizing the situation stemmed from her, decided it was time to take control.

Descending the stairs gracefully, she stared coldly at River, who still cowered behind Mia. "River, if you're truly here to apologize, then show your sincerity. Kneel and admit your wrongdoing in front of everyone, and I'll consider letting this matter go."

Warren immediately objected. "No, Alina! After everything this woman has done to you, an apology isn't enough to make things right."

Alina's gaze softened as she looked at her father. "Dad, the Swanson family has already offered an explanation. Let me handle the aftermath myself."

Her words left no room for argument, and Warren clenched his fists in frustration.

River, hearing Alina's response, dared to look up, her eyes pleading as they sought Ruud's. She hoped-prayed-that he might say something on her behalf.

But Ruud didn't even glance at her. His entire attention was fixed on Alina, his hand intertwined with hers. Their fingers remained tightly clasped, their affection palpable.

The sight of their closeness pierced River's heart. Jealousy churned inside her, threatening to drown her.

If only Alina hadn't come into the picture, River thought bitterly, she would have been the one standing beside Ruud, fingers entwined, basking in his love.

Noticing River's gaze, Alina's lips curled into a mocking smile. Even now, River dared to covet her man?

"River," Alina said icily, her voice dripping with disdain. "If you can't even kneel and apologize, stop pretending to care about appearances. Go back and tell your grandfather that we'll pursue this matter to the very end. We'll no longer consider any private settlement."

With that, Alina turned on her heel, dragging Ruud away without giving River another glance. Desperation filled River's face as she called out, her voice trembling with sorrow. "Ruud..."noveldrama

Ruud shuddered, as if repulsed. Alina noticed and leaned closer, smiling mischievously. "Ruud, someone's calling for you."

Ruud's expression darkened entirely. If Alina was upset, there would be consequences.

His gaze turned sharp as he looked at River, his voice cutting like a blade. "Get out! Don't ever let me see you again."

River's heart shattered. The man she had waited for, yearned for, for over a decade, had just told her to leave.

"Ruud, are you really going to cut ties with me forever?"

Alina raised an eyebrow, her tone light yet filled with certainty. "You've got it wrong. He's not just cutting ties-he never wants to see you again. No, not just in this life, but in the next, and the one after that." Her voice turned commanding. "Because in every lifetime, he's mine."

Ruud blinked in surprise, her words striking him deeply. Was Alina pledging their love for three lifetimes? He felt a surge of emotion and devotion.

"Alina," he whispered earnestly, "don't worry. No matter what happens, I'm yours. Always."

Alina patted his head, her tone playful. "Good. Stick with me, and you'll reap the rewards."

Warren, standing nearby, was speechless.

He watched his tall, proud son-standing nearly six foot three, an esteemed General Praevion-lean against Alina like a docile koala, utterly smitten.

It wasn't that Warren disapproved of their dynamic. It was just... watching it made his eyes hurt.

Mia, however, didn't bother hiding her disdain. "The men of the Pace family should stand tall and proud. What kind of example is this, trailing behind a woman like that?"

Ruud remained unbothered. "No one's forcing you to watch. You're old enough to know better than to make yourself miserable."

Mia's face twisted in frustration. "Brother, did you hear him?"

But Warren didn't side with her. "He's right. In the Pace family, Alina's word is law. If you don't like it, you can leave. This house doesn't need you."

Warren's loyalty to his son and Alina was unshakable. No one, not even Mia, could criticize them in his presence.

Mia's temper flared as she stomped off toward the backyard, leaving River standing awkwardly in the center of the room, her humiliation complete. Warren barely spared her a glance. "Guards, throw her out."

The guards, stationed outside, had been waiting for the order. Without hesitation, they entered, ready to drag River away.

Seeing the situation escalate, River finally broke. She fell to her knees with a loud thud.

"I'll kneel!"

Her lips trembled as she bit down hard, swallowing her pride. The humiliation was unbearable, but the consequences of refusing were worse.

If the Swanson family received a legal notice from the Pace family, her grandfather would surely cast her out. She would lose her place in the Swanson family and be banished from Ashbury forever. She had spent years building her life in Ashbury and couldn't afford to see it all crumble now.