Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 776: She Turned Out to Be Jared’s Aunt

Hayden and Cole loaded everyone from the Bailey family, including Kael Bailey, into the vehicles. The moment they stepped into the house, an overpowering stench pushed them back outside. However, seeing Tina and the others frozen by the bedside, Hayden hesitated briefly before bracing himself and walking in.

The woman lying on the bed was a shadow of her former self. Her hair, tangled and dry like a bird's nest, was piled in clumps on the pillow. Her face was streaked with grime-black and white smears crisscrossing her features. It was unclear how long the Bailey family had neglected to clean her. If not for the faint rise and fall of her chest, Hayden might have thought she was already dead. Wait-no!

Her features... They bore a resemblance to Mr. Farrell!

Hayden's pupils contracted sharply as he pointed at the woman on the bed. His gaze flicked nervously to Jared, whose face remained unreadable, his expression darkening by the second. The oppressive atmosphere around Jared grew heavier, forcing Hayden to take a step back. It felt as though an invisible hand was choking him, leaving him stammering and unable to form a coherent sentence.

Finally, it was Tina who broke the suffocating silence. "Uncle, let's move her out first."

Even she hadn't expected this.

Victor had gone too far.

They had only come here to retrieve a witness for Ashbury, yet they had stumbled upon someone Jared had searched for years without success-the eldest daughter of the Farrell family: Simone Farrell.

"Victor Bailey!"

The torrential rain outside swallowed all traces of light. Inside the vehicle, no one had turned on the lights, leaving the interior bathed in the intermittent flashes of the high beams reflecting off the storm. Jared sat rigidly, his thin lips pressed into a hard line. His icy gaze pierced the darkness outside the window.

No one spoke. Time dragged on until, at last, Jared broke the silence. His voice, hoarse and chilling, cut through the oppressive atmosphere.

"Tina, I trust you. I know you can heal her."

Jared's hardened expression softened ever so slightly. His rigid posture slackened as he leaned over, resting his head against Tina's shoulder.

I believe in you. It's just..."

He couldn't control it-

hatred he felt toward Victor and the entire Bailey

for his aunt, he would at least keep her in some unknown hospital, cared for by professionals, if only for the sake of her identity. At the

this remote, desolate village, there was no one but Kael Bailey and

back the blanket from Simone Farrell's body, even he, with all his composure, had felt

that moment, he understood the source of the stench that had lingered around the Bailey family's home. Beneath that filthy, yellowed blanket lay Simone's withered frame-her

instant, Jared wanted nothing more than to kill every last member of the Bailey

clung to reminded him that they were still useful. But his

against Tina's abdomen, his eyes closed to hide

warmth of his breath seep through the thin fabric of her clothing, Tina's throat tightened. She gently ran her fingers through Jared's hair, her cool gaze hardening with resolve. "Uncle," she

at Tina through the rearview mirror.

couldn't remember the last time Serena had shown such an icy expression. The hidden families were powerful, but Serena... she

could escape death, they'd have to see if she

that moment, Cole's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and said,

it to me,"

Jayden's voice came through,

there's been

to guess-Victor had undoubtedly stirred up more trouble. Courtney's voice came from the background as she tried to comfort Elsa. Then she

parents' graves. He took their ashes and threatened to scatter them unless we hand over the formula within three days!" Tina's

Elsa

her expression frantic and unstable. "Not well. She's been muttering about running out of time ever since it happened. The Bailey family's actions have clearly pushed her over the edge. "Tina, what should

gleamed coldly. "Wait for us at

she added, "And have Wraith prepare a completely secure room in the lab.