Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Alina knew Tina was heading to the Reed family, so she had someone bring over some gifts from the Brooks family for Tina to take along. Jared took the gifts casually. Glancing at the time, Tina said to Alina, "Mom, let's talk about that matter when I get back."

Alina nodded. That wasn't something easily explained in a few words, and now wasn't the right time either.

As they left the Pace family, Tina sat in the passenger seat. Noticing that Jared was driving, she suddenly thought of Hayden. "Where's Hayden? Why isn't he with you?" she asked.

Jared steered the car onto the road and replied casually, "He's been busy lately."noveldrama

"Busy?"

Tina raised her eyebrows in surprise, as though confirming something. "Didn't you two just spend the morning together?" When she called Jared earlier, she'd heard Hayden's voice in the background.

Jared adjusted the car with one hand, turning the wheel smoothly. He glanced at her with a smile. "My wife is as sharp as always." He added, "He let your brothers cost me so many houses. Making him do some grunt work isn't too much, is it?"

Tina's lips curved into a smile. "Not at all. He does need to stretch his muscles a bit."

Jared chuckled. "It was voluntary. I didn't force him."

Tina raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing. "Uncle, did you get some dirt on Hayden?"

Jared smirked. "You could say it's something fatal-enough to make him obey me for quite a while, or at least not dare to defy me."

Tina tilted her head slightly, her narrowed eyes gleaming with mischief. "You didn't secretly take any compromising photos of him, did you?" Jared gave her a doting smile. "Do you really think I'd stoop to that level?"

Tina pressed her lips together, not giving a definitive answer.

Unable to handle her sudden silence, Jared finally spoke up, "Don't overthink it. It's just a recording of him confessing his feelings!"

Tina's smile widened in understanding. "So, he's finally come around."

Jared grinned. "I'll send it to you later. Paula will probably appreciate the favor."

Tina leaned back lazily, her smile carefree. "Aren't you afraid Hayden will want to kill you for this?"

"He wouldn't dare!"

"True."

As they joked, the car pulled up in front of the Reed family house. It was a Saturday, and a few boys around six or seven years old were playing ball outside. One of the boys, holding the ball, turned to the others and asked, "Zackary, is that your sister?"

Tina, with sharp hearing, caught the name and turned to look.

She quickly spotted Zackary not far away.

She waved at him.

Zackary, dressed in a white basketball uniform, said a quick goodbye to his friends and ran over to her.

Standing obediently by her side, he glanced at Jared, his face turning red before politely greeting them, "Tina, Jared, you're here."

Hearing Zackary's greeting put Jared in a good mood. He patted the boy's head affectionately. "What a good kid!"

Zackary beamed with joy.

"Good boy!" Jared handed him the latest toy he'd brought along. "This is for you!"

Zackary opened it and his eyes lit up. "Wow, the latest Bumblebee helmet!"

Recently, there had been a popular Bumblebee helmet that could be voice-controlled, just like a real robot, and could even transform. Zackary had been wanting it for a while. His parents had promised to get it for his birthday, but Jared had beaten them to it.

Zackary was overjoyed. "Jared, you're the best!"

Listening to his praise, Jared couldn't help but feel immensely proud.

Tina gave Zackary a sideways glance. "Tsk! Jared's the best? What about me? Where do I rank?" "Tina, you're the best! Jared's second best!" Zackary's quick response made Tina's smile widen. She laughed. "That mouth of yours is going to make you a pro at charming girlfriends someday." Zackary tilted his head. "Tina, girlfriends don't need to be charmed. Just give them candy!" Tina: "??"

Jared burst out laughing. "Kid, don't tell me you already have a girlfriend?"

What girl had this little charmer wrapped around her finger now?

Zackary frowned thoughtfully, his young face serious. "Actually, I don't want her to be my girlfriend. But she said I gave her candy, which meant it was an engagement gift, and now she says she'll marry me when we grow up. But I don't want to get married. I want to be a scientist when I grow up."

Zackary sighed heavily. "Scientists are very busy. They don't have time for dating."

Tina: "..."

Jared: "..."

Since when were kids this advanced? Seven years old, and already talking about relationships?

Looking at Zackary, Jared suddenly became curious. "Who's the girl?"

"It's Sophia!" Zackary looked at Jared, his little face full of frustration. "She insists on marrying me when we grow up, and I don't know what to do!"

Jared: "!!!"

This kid! Not only did he steal his sister's heart, but now he didn't even appreciate her!

Jared's face darkened instantly.

At that moment, he finally understood how Ruud must have felt.

Grinding his teeth, he glared at Zackary. "Don't worry. I'll make sure she never sees you again!"

"How could she not see me? We're in the same class!" Zackary didn't understand.

Though they were only in first grade, both he and Sophia were top students. Their teacher often asked them to help lead the class in studying. Zackary didn't see how Jared could stop them from seeing each other. Jared: "..."

Was it possible to sell this kid off so no one would think about his sister anymore?

Tina: Uncle, you've got it wrong. It's not him pursuing your sister-it's your sister pursuing him. This is called "reverse chasing!"

Jared: ....

His heart sank. He couldn't feel any worse.

He shot Zackary a glare and snatched the helmet back from his hands. "I just remembered-the store said this helmet isn't for ungrateful kids!"

With that, Jared turned and walked away.

Zackary stared at the helmet that had just been taken from him. Feeling wronged, he looked up at Tina. "Tina, did I say something wrong? Why is Jared upset?"

Tina held back a laugh and said, "You stole something precious from him, so of course he's upset."

"Ah?" Zackary looked confused. "I'm very good. I don't steal other people's things."

Tina: "..."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling helpless.

"Well-" She paused and crouched down, speaking earnestly. "Zackary, you need to understand that boys have to take responsibility for the girls they like. If you don't like her, you need to keep your distance and not hurt her feelings." It was her first time talking about relationships, and she wasn't sure if she was saying the right thing. Oh well.

After all, Zackary and Sophia were still young. Who knew? Maybe when they grew up, they wouldn't even like each other anymore.

Zackary nodded, as if he understood. "Got it."

Then, looking at Jared, who was now standing near the elevator with the helmet, Zackary pouted. "But what about my..." "Jared's just joking with you," Tina reassured him.