Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 859: Then Stay in the Dog Kennel

Eric rushed to Stephanie, who lay crumpled on the floor, her breath shallow and uneven.

"Stephanie!" he called, his voice trembling with urgency.

Stephanie's head barely lifted, her body trembling as if it might collapse further at any moment. Tears streaked her face, pooling in her swollen eyes as she forced herself to meet Eric's gaze.

"They... it was the Farrell family," she gasped, her voice weak and rasping with pain. "Tina... she stepped on me. I think my spine's broken. And she slapped me! My face... Eric, my face is swollen! Please, take me away. Please, just take me away!"

Her voice cracked, the desperation raw and jagged. She clung to Eric's arm, her grip weak but frantic, like a drowning person clutching at driftwood.

Eric's expression darkened, though not from grief. Hidden behind his furrowed brow and clenched jaw was a flicker of simmering disdain. He knew.

The moment he stepped into the room and saw Stephanie's pitiful state, he knew their plan had failed. The scheme to drug Asher had been exposed, and Stephanie-this useless, blubbering fool-was to blame.

Eric's hands curled into fists at his sides as he resisted the urge to pull away. She wasn't just a failure; she was a liability.

Still, he had to play his part.

Eric's voice rose, sharp with feigned fury. "Aunt Marie! Is this how you treat family? You let Tina do this? You let her treat my sister like this? If this is how things are, we're leaving!" He spat the words, his indignation laced with just enough venom to sell the act.

"I'm taking Stephanie to get treated," he continued, his tone growing more desperate. "If she ends up paralyzed... I swear, I won't let you off the hook!"

He knew his threats were empty, but there was no other option.

cold, scrutinizing look, her fingers drumming against the armrest. If not for the tranquilizer Tina had slipped her earlier, she might have

she could respond, the room shifted like a storm breaking. Asher, who had been silently observing from

torso in a punishing kick,

it weren't for Aunt Marie taking you two in, you'd still be

clutching his ribs, his teeth grinding as he fought back a cry of pain. Despite the fiery sting spreading across his chest, he bent down and hoisted Stephanie into

he lifted her, the sound shrill and piercing. Her injury made even the slightest

his breath, his frustration

shouted, his voice cracking. He forced himself to stand tall, though the weight of Stephanie in his arms and the oppressive glares from the Farrell family pressed down on him like a collapsing roof. "You can't stop us!" But his bravado faltered as Jared stepped forward, his

muscles of his forearms.

his lips, but his eyes were as sharp and frozen

brow grew into a slick, chilling dampness that clung

the wall, watched the scene unfold with quiet amusement. Her arms were crossed,

into Eric's embrace. Her gaze darted

quietly, leaning close to Jared to whisper in his ear. "Master Jared, we didn't find

Her smirk deepened, her eyebrow arched slightly

have been hidden. Or disposed

any rush. She turned her attention to Stephanie, whose

her heels clicking softly against the floor. Stephanie's eyes widened in

quivered as she bit down

the drain cover. She reached into the murky water below and pulled out a silver needle. Dipping it into the water, she held it up

twist, he detached the upper section, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside was a tiny pouch, no larger