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.

against the armrest.

shifted like a storm breaking. Asher, who had been silently observing from the corner, stepped

boot connected with Eric's torso in a punishing kick, sending

Marie taking you two in, you'd still be rotting on the streets. And now you have the audacity to complain? To

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

and piercing. Her injury made even the slightest movement excruciating, and Eric's

hissed under his breath, his frustration

Eric 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

muscles of his forearms. His calm, deliberate movements were

low and cold. A faint smile curved his lips, but his eyes were

his brow grew into a slick, chilling

arms were crossed, her lips

Her gaze

whisper in

words. Her smirk deepened, her eyebrow arched

been hidden.

matter. Tina wasn't in any rush. She turned her attention to Stephanie, whose

her hair, Tina sauntered toward the bathroom, her heels clicking softly

audible. Her lips quivered as she bit down on

She reached into the murky water below and pulled out a silver needle. Dipping it into the water, she held it up for everyone to see. The

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