Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

At the Langdon family's ancient castle in Hartwood, Carl knelt in the family shrine. His back was ramrod straight, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead as he held Trevor's gaze. Carl's narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes appeared obedient, but beneath the surface, they brimmed with defiance.

Trevor noticed, of course, but he didn't care. "You've really grown bold, haven't you? Taking just a handful of men to challenge the Brookes family? Are you tired of living? If Evan hadn't stepped in to shield you today, you'd be the one lying on a bed barely breathing right now!"

He paused to catch his breath, his voice low and cutting. "Carl, if being the heir to the Langdon family is too much for you, just say so. There are plenty of others in this family eager to take your place. You're not the only one." Indeed, Carl wasn't the only option.

There was always Luke-that bastard.

Carl wanted to retort with that very thought, but he knew it would only enrage Trevor further.

His eyes flickered, suppressing the resentment simmering inside him. "Father, it was you who insisted we find that biochemical weapon. I tracked Tina's location after so much effort and discovered her connection to the Brookes family. That's why I acted. It was my misstep-I didn't expect Tina to be so important to them."

"Important? My foot!" Trevor cursed, his temper flaring. "Do you think I don't know what you were thinking? You assumed the Brookes family had been in hiding for so long that their strength had scattered. You thought they'd be easy to deal with, didn't you? Did you even consider your own abilities before going after them? Ian isn't some harmless old man. You're lucky he didn't kill you outright!NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

"And Tina? She's just an excuse. What you did today was a direct slap to the Brookes family's face. Do you think Ian is as spineless as Victor?!"

Trevor stood abruptly, grabbing a folder from the table beside him and throwing it at Carl's face.

"Take a good look. There are plenty of ways to deal with Tina, but barging into the Brookes family like an idiot isn't one of them. Not only did you fail, but you also brought shame to our name!"

Carl clenched his fists, digging his nails into his thigh to keep his anger in check. He pulled the folder from his face and skimmed its contents.

A familiar name caught his eye, and he hesitated. "The Dyer family? You're planning to involve them? But they've already been ruined. Besides, isn't the Bailey family focused on dealing with Elsa? If we step in, how will we explain it to them?" Trevor nearly rolled his eyes in exasperation.

This foolish son of his was worried about offending the Bailey family, a group far weaker than the Brookes family!

Grinding his teeth, Trevor exhaled sharply. "Victor is useless. He's had years to retrieve what we need and still hasn't delivered. There's nothing worth negotiating with him anymore.

"As for the Dyer family, yes, they've fallen, and Elsa has nothing left. But as long as she has ties to Tina, we can use her to get what we want."

Trevor reached for a business card and tossed it to Carl. "This is the contact information for Elsa's in-laws' former employer. Go to this person and arrange some trouble for them. Leave the matter of the biochemical weapon to someone else-I'll assign it to someone competent.

"You want to take down Tina? Fine. I'm giving you this opportunity. Whether you can use Elsa to get what we need from Tina depends on your abilities."

With that, Trevor strode out of the shrine without sparing Carl another glance.

Left alone, Carl gripped the business card tightly, his face shrouded in shadow. A strange, chilling laugh echoed softly in the shrine.

Meanwhile, in Ashbury, the director of a local education bureau received a phone call. No one knew what was said on the other end, but after the call ended, the director pondered briefly before gathering his team and heading straight for the Dyer family's villa.

By 3 p. m., Elsa was helping her husband, Austin, with his rehabilitation. She stayed close, guiding him as he walked back and forth in the living room. Just as she was about to help him sit on the couch to rest, a group of men in black suits stormed into the house.

Without any explanation, they took Elsa's in-laws away for questioning.

Elsa panicked, frantically dialing Tina's number.

At the time, Tina was at the Brookes family estate, listening to her uncles recount the Langdon family's earlier intrusion. When she heard Elsa's tearful account, she frowned.

"Weren't they already dismissed from their positions? What could they possibly need to investigate now?" Tina asked, her tone calm but sharp.

Elsa's voice trembled with desperation. "They said there were unresolved issues with my in-laws' case from back then. That's why they took them away. Tina, please, can you help them? I don't know what to do!"

Tina's expression darkened as she considered the situation. "Alright, I understand. I'll figure something out. Stay calm and wait for my call."

At the Bailey family estate, Victor was lounging in bed, basking in the warmth of Vivienne's embrace. His eyes were half-closed as he enjoyed the gentle massage his wife gave him.

The sound of his phone ringing barely registered. Without checking the caller ID, he answered lazily, his voice tinged with contentment.

"Who is it?"

Hearing the soft laughter of a woman in the background, Trevor's eyes filled with disdain.

"Victor," Trevor began, his tone cold, "it seems you're living quite comfortably. How's the task I assigned you coming along?"

The faint threat in Trevor's calm voice made Victor's eyes snap open. He shoved Vivienne aside and sat up straight, his earlier relaxation gone.

Even though Trevor couldn't see his expression through the phone, Victor's tone instantly became ingratiating.

"Ah, Master Trevor, I owe all my comforts to your generosity. Don't worry-I'll deliver what you need. I'd never dream of delaying such an important matter."

Trevor's eyes narrowed. "Hmph. It's been years since you promised to retrieve that formula, yet I've seen nothing. Meanwhile, you've reaped no shortage of benefits from the Langdon family. Do you think I'm that easy to fool?" Victor broke into a cold sweat, his body tense. He shot a glare at Vivienne, who was trying to eavesdrop, and climbed out of bed.

"No, no, Master Trevor, you misunderstand! You're the cornerstone of the hidden families-I wouldn't dare deceive you. Elsa is just... difficult to handle. Recently, she's gained new support, but I've already come up with a plan. Rest assured-" "Enough!" Trevor interrupted, his patience wearing thin. "I knew you'd be useless. In the end, I still have to clean up your mess. Elsa's in-laws have already been arrested under the pretext of harming students. Send someone to the police station immediately.

"I'm giving you one last week. If you don't deliver the formula, every benefit you've ever gained from the Langdon family will be taken back. All of it!"

Trevor didn't wait for Victor's reply before hanging up.