Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 923: The Second Way to Please a Daughter

Alina propped her chin up, smiling warmly as she reached for the medical kit to tend to Tina's face.

Tina's lips curled faintly. "This coat of mine hasn't even taken shape-it's not even drafty. Might as well just give up on it entirely."

Alina frowned slightly, her hand applying the ointment a bit heavier than intended. Tina hissed in pain, teasing, "You're really my mom, huh? Got yourself a husband and no room left for your daughter~" "Shut up. Or I'll slip and make it hurt even more." Alina grabbed Tina's chin with a light pinch.

The mother and daughter bickered back and forth in their usual playful banter. Occasionally, Tina would slip in updates regarding her latest investigations.

"Remember the case I mentioned before-the one about a woman's heart being removed? It wasn't a coincidence. There've been more disappearances in other places. Yesterday, Uncle and I tracked it to a village. If my instincts are right, that place is crawling with snipers."

"And here's the strange part. When Uncle and I entered, no one fired at us. Normally, they'd have taken us out immediately."

Alina's brow furrowed deeply. After a moment of silence, she spoke gravely. "There's a strong chance that you and Jared are carrying something they need."

Tina nodded in agreement, though the question lingered-what exactly could they possibly have that was so important?

She dipped a fingertip into a glass of water and began sketching symbols on the dining table-three of them, etched from memory.

"These symbols," Tina said, her tone serious. "I saw them in the village yesterday. They're simple but strangely difficult to replicate. This is the best I could manage."

Alina tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she studied the symbols. A flicker of recognition crossed her face. She murmured, "I've seen these symbols before. They weren't in any domestic texts-I think they came from a book published abroad."

study them in detail back then," she continued.

with this. I need to know what's

move?" Ruud asked, stepping into the

refusing to answer. Her clear eyes glanced at the trays he

of toast, topped with fried eggs and ketchup. To add a touch of charm, Ruud had

word, she shoved a piece of

watched her eagerly, searching her face for any sign of approval. But Tina

hands nervously. "Sweetheart, how does it taste? If it's not good, I'll make

also looked at Tina expectantly, her gaze practically demanding an

better if he spent this effort trying to win over her mom instead. She chewed thoughtfully and finally spoke. "I'm not picky about food. It's fine. But

excitement. His daughter had actually spoken more than a few words to him! Overwhelmed, he blurted, "I made

moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it. He remembered the mess he'd left in the kitchen, the pasta that hadn't turned

before finishing her first piece of toast and starting on

but the design was recognizable. Tina used her fork to cut out the strawberry pattern and popped it into her mouth. "If

words, hurrying back to the kitchen. He returned with the remaining food and a pitcher of freshly blended soy milk, though his

and frowned. She picked up

his nose awkwardly and shook his head. "It's...

on the shoulder encouragingly. "You've

of the pasta and placed it

she stared at the blackened pasta. Feeling thirsty, she grabbed the soy milk and took

properly. Also, I think I'll delegate this 'great mission'