Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

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!

"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.

them? But they've already been ruined. Besides, isn't the Bailey

offending the Bailey family, a group far weaker than the Brookes

years to retrieve what we need

Elsa has nothing left. But as long as

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

opportunity. Whether you can use

that, Trevor strode out of the shrine

face shrouded

phone call. No one knew what was said on the other end, but after the call ended, the director pondered briefly before

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

they took Elsa's

panicked, frantically dialing Tina's

her uncles recount the Langdon family's earlier intrusion. When she heard

could they possibly need to

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

I understand. I'll figure something out. Stay

Vivienne's embrace. His eyes were half-closed as he enjoyed

registered. Without checking the