Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Dusk was approaching. A low, flat-roofed house stood under the faint moonlight, its front yard scattered with a few withered old trees. They swayed in the wind, casting eerie shadows in the dark. Inside the house, a man was suspended in midair, his limbs tightly bound with ropes, his head drooping lifelessly.

With a loud splash, a bucket of scalding hot water was poured over his body, from head to toe.

"Aaaaah!" The man screamed, his face twisting in agony. His skin looked as if it had been boiled, and bloody blisters quickly formed on his face.

"Awake now?" A cold, hellish voice cut through the air, dripping with malice.

Jared stood there in a plain black T-shirt, his broad back and solid chest faintly outlined in the dim light. His posture was straight and commanding, a leather whip in hand, his eyes radiating murderous intent. The man dangling in the room was Victor.

Jared lashed out with the whip, and blood spattered instantly across its length. Victor couldn't even cry out in pain anymore, his body trapped in a personal hell. He couldn't comprehend how he had ended up in Jared's hands. He had expected Claudia to kill him, but he had never imagined Jared would take him instead.

Bloodshot veins filled his blurry eyes, and blood dripped from the hem of his clothes. Gasping for air, Victor rasped, "I thought it was Claudia..."

Jared dipped the whip into a bucket of salt water, washing off the blood. "It was Claudia," he said coldly. "She sent people to kill you. As far as the world is concerned, you're already dead-killed by Claudia." Victor's eyes widened in shock. His lips trembled. "What do you mean by that?" he stammered.

Jared didn't bother answering. He swung the whip again and again, each strike landing with brutal force. Flesh split open, blood poured freely, and the room reeked of a stench so heavy it would make anyone else gag.

"Falling into Claudia's hands would have been a mercy for you," Jared said, his voice low and deadly. "She would've given you a quick death. But me? I'll make sure you wish for death."

"Is this about Simone Farrell?" Victor croaked, his voice shaky but desperate.

Jared lashed him again, then casually tossed the whip aside. Taking a wet wipe from his pocket, he cleaned his hands methodically, his tone chilling. "Killing you wouldn't even come close to satisfying my rage."

Victor, his strength fading rapidly, begged hoarsely, "Just end it... I shouldn't have treated Simone that way. I deserve hell-I'm ready to pay for my sins!"

"It's too late." Jared's words were cold and final.

With that, he drove four nails straight into Victor's wrists and ankles. Blood gushed out, pooling on the floor. Victor couldn't bear the torment any longer and passed out.

When Jared stepped outside, Nathan was waiting by the door. Sweat glistened on Nathan's back. Even from outside, the screams inside had been unbearable.

Nathan's thoughts were conflicted. When Claudia had sent assassins after Victor a second time, he had thought she was relentless. Yet, her sole target had been Victor-she hadn't harmed any of the other officers. When Nathan and Hayden arrived, Victor had been on the brink of death. It had been Mr. Farrell and Tina who had managed to save him.

As far as the authorities were concerned, Victor had already been declared dead at Claudia's hands. The man they took back was nothing more than a stand-in corpse.

"Take me to the lab," Jared ordered, giving Nathan an address.

Nathan nodded and started the car.

When they arrived, Tina was already waiting at the door. Her face lit up with a radiant smile. "She's awake," she announced.

Jared froze for a moment, his long lashes trembling. The weight in his heart lifted instantly. He pulled Tina into a tight embrace. "Tina, thank you. You've been a blessing to me and the Farrell family."novelbin

"Go see her," Tina said softly, smiling. She knew that Jared's biggest wish right now was to see Simone.

---

Inside the hospital room, Simone lay propped up against the headboard. Her face was pale, her lips devoid of color, but her eyes were filled with love and tenderness as she gazed at Ella. Gently, she reached out to stroke Ella's hair, her fingers trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"You've grown so much," Simone said, her voice soft and emotional. "When I left you, you were just a little girl."

Ella clung to her mother, her joy mingled with tears. "Mom, these past years, my only hope was finding you. Now that we're together again, we'll make up for all the lost time."

She buried herself in Simone's arms, cherishing the warmth she had longed for. Her face was alight with the happiness of a reunion she had once thought impossible.

Jared entered the room, holding Tina's hand as they stepped inside. The atmosphere froze for a brief moment.

Simone's gaze locked onto Jared the instant he walked in. Her lips parted in surprise. "Jared..."

"Aunt Simone," Jared said, a smile spreading across his face, his excitement evident.

Simone lowered her head, guilt washing over her. "Ella told me everything," she said softly. "You and Tina went through so much to save me. Even after I severed ties with you, you never blamed me. You still see me as your aunt." "Aunt Simone, you don't have to feel guilty," Jared said firmly. "Even when you left the Farrell family and trusted the wrong people, I never forgot how kind you were to me when I was a child. No matter what happens, we'll always share the bond of family."

Simone was deeply moved. Her tears flowed freely. "Jared, you've grown into an incredible man. You've kept the Farrell family stable through every storm."

She turned her gaze to Tina, who was standing beside Jared. A warm, approving smile lit up her face. "Jared has chosen a good woman. Tina, you saved my life. Jared must treat you well."

Simone's clear eyes shone with gratitude and admiration as she looked at Tina.

"She's the love of my life," Jared said, tightening his grip on Tina's hand. "I'll protect her with everything I have."

Tina's cheeks flushed a deep red at Jared's sudden declaration. She hadn't expected him to be so direct, and her shyness made her endearing.

Ella, watching from the side, couldn't help but chuckle. "Tina, so you do get embarrassed! How sweet."

Between the heartwarming reunion and the playful teasing, the room was filled with affection.

Jared's expression grew serious again as he turned to Simone. "Aunt Simone, the Bailey family is gone now. Everyone involved has been brought to justice. You and Ella should come back to the Farrell family with me."

Simone lowered her head, her face clouded with melancholy. "Father would never forgive me," she said. "I betrayed him in the worst way possible. I severed ties with him, and I don't deserve to be his daughter. I've failed him, failed Ella, and failed you. I couldn't fulfill even the smallest duty as a daughter. How could I ask him to take me back now?"

Jared stepped closer, his tone soft but insistent. "Aunt Simone, Grandpa has missed you all these years. He never shows it, but he kept your only photo, hidden in the bottom of his drawer where no one else could touch it. You've just woken up and don't know everything that's happened to the Farrell family. Now, more than ever, Grandpa needs you."