Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

The following day.

Early in the morning, the house was alive with activity. Downstairs, Logan was instructing the butler to prepare gifts.

Jared approached him, curious. Logan, with an understanding look, explained, "The day of the wedding, the Reed family saved Sophia's life. Your parents are going to visit their son today, and it's only polite to bring something. You don't visit an injured person empty-handed."

Marie shared the same sentiment.

"A child is a child," she said. "In such a chaotic situation, they still stepped up to save Sophia and even got hurt in the process. Even if the parents don't say it, they must feel distressed. This is the kind of kindness we must remember for a lifetime."

Tina nodded in agreement. "Let's go together."

It just so happened that her uncle's destination was on the same route as the hospital.

Jared pulled Tina along for a quick breakfast. On their way out, he grabbed some of the prepared gifts, only to look up and see Sophia, dressed to the nines, bounding down the stairs enthusiastically.

Sophia noticed Jared staring at her and assumed her choice of dress was perfect. She beamed and asked, "Brother, doesn't my dress look good?"

Jared pinched the bridge of his nose and blocked her path. "Mom and Dad are going to the hospital. You can stay home."

Sophia pouted, upset. She ran to Marie and complained, "Mom, look at Jared! He's always picking on me. Yesterday, he wouldn't let me talk to Tina, and today, he won't let me go out. What did I do to deserve this?"

Marie shot Jared a sharp glare. "Why are you stopping Sophia? Zackary saved her life. Shouldn't she go and thank him in person?"

Asher, siding with his wife, grabbed his daughter and led her straight out the door without sparing Jared a glance.

Zackary had saved Sophia. How could she not go and thank him?

Jared was left speechless.

At the hospital, the arrival of Asher's family made the already small hospital room feel crowded. Marie, in particular, expressed her gratitude with great formality. Hugo, flustered and unsure how

to respond, stammered, "It was just a small gesture, really. There's no need to make such a big deal of it. Besides, our boy's tough-getting hurt is nothing to him."

Jennie chimed in with a smile, "That's right. Honestly, our Zackary and Sophia have met a few times before. They're practically friends. Of course, he'd help when needed."

Marie's eyes lit up. "Now that you mention it, these two kids really do seem to have a connection. I was just thinking..."

Before she could finish, Jared cleared his throat loudly. "Mom, Tina and I have something to do. You and Jennie can chat. We'll head out first."

Marie paused to give Tina a few quick instructions before returning to the room. By then, the conversation had already shifted to talk about strengthening ties between the two families.

On the way out, Jared asked Tina, "What did Mom say to you just now?"

Tina chuckled. "She said you've been irritable lately and asked if something's wrong with you... you know, physically. She told me to get you some medicine to fix it."

Jared froze. "..."

What kind of mother says something like that?

Does she think I'm not fine?

Just as the car started, Jared's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, his temper rose immediately.

"Hayden, if you don't want to work anymore, just go ahead and resign."

On the other end of the line, Hayden sounded like he was about to cry. "Mr. Farrell, it's not that I don't want to work-I'm being held at home!"

Jared's voice turned icy. "And that's your excuse for not working?"

Hayden whimpered, "..."

"Mr. Farrell, is Serena with you? I need to talk to her. It's important!"

Afraid Jared might hang up, Hayden quickly added, "I swear it's serious!"

Jared glanced at Tina and handed her the phone. She answered, "Hayden?"

The moment Hayden heard Tina's voice, he burst into loud sobs. "Serena... I'm so miserable!"

Tina frowned. Everyone at Serenity Ridge knew Hayden's crying could drive anyone mad.

She resisted the urge to toss the phone aside. "Speak!"

After a few sniffles, Hayden finally explained his situation: he was being held under house arrest by his family.

The reason? They were forcing him into a marriage.

Tina raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Don't worry. When you and Paula get married, the red envelope won't be small."

Jared stayed silent, not disagreeing.

Even standing nearby, Jared found Hayden's sobs unbearable. These two had been dragging things out for so long. If Hayden weren't so stubborn, they would've been married ages ago.

But Hayden's next words stopped them both cold. "Serena, Paula doesn't want me anymore! She's marrying someone else..."

Tina froze. "Paula is marrying someone else?"

That didn't make sense.

Paula's taste and devotion to Hayden had been unwavering. If she could change now, she

wouldn't have spent the past twenty years chasing him.

Before Tina could ask more, a blood-curdling scream came through the phone.noveldrama

"Serena, come save me! My dad's going to kill me!"

The cries grew louder and more horrifying with each passing second.

Tina, exasperated, hung up the call.

Jared took the phone back, his expression tinged with doubt. "What's going on?"

Tina pressed her temples. "I don't know. Let's head to the Cohen family estate."

One thing, however, was clear to her: Paula wouldn't marry someone else for no reason. The issue must lie with Hayden.

If this wasn't resolved, the two of them might ruin their futures out of sheer spite.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at the Cohen family estate.

As soon as they stepped inside, they were greeted by the sound of a whip cracking against flesh.

"You ungrateful son! The White family's daughter isn't good enough for you? And now she doesn't want you anymore! You've brought shame to this family!"

Hayden was running in circles, dodging the strikes. "Dad, stop! If you keep this up, you won't have a son left!"

"Good! I'd rather beat you to death and send your corpse to the White family as an apology!" Hayden, out of breath, was speechless.

Tina entered to see Zane Cohen, the head of the family, holding a whip with a furious look on his face, chasing Hayden around the room.

On the main seat sat Hayden's grandfather, Damon Cohen, his face dark with anger. He didn't even bother speaking.

The moment Hayden saw Tina and Jared, he bolted toward them like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline.

"Serena! You're finally here! If you hadn't come, I'd be dead by now!"

He clung to Tina desperately, looking utterly pitiful.

Zane, seeing his son's behavior, felt his face burn with shame. But in front of Tina, he composed himself and nodded respectfully.

Tina returned a polite nod, her purpose clear-she was here for Hayden.

After greeting Damon, Jared asked directly, "Grandpa Cohen, Mr. Cohen, what happened?"

The relationship between the Cohen and Farrell families had always been close, but in this

situation, Damon couldn't even bring himself to speak.

He simply glared at his kneeling grandson, his frustration evident. "You ungrateful wretch, tell them yourself!"