Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 979: Uncle, You’ll End Up Spoiling Me At seven in the evening, Tina was seated in the living room, leisurely eating a slice of strawberry cake, when Paula called.

Her voice, hoarse as though stuffed with cotton, came through. "Serena..."

"Mm, what's up?" Tina took another large bite of the cake, her tone casual, almost indifferent. Paula hesitated, took a deep breath, and said, "Serena, how... how is she?"

Tina frowned slightly. "Who are you asking about?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Paula, on the verge of tears, blurted out, "Serena, stop torturing me. You know what my family is going through. I know I'm gambling here, but I can't help feeling anxious..."

Tina put down her fork, her tone dropping slightly. "If you've decided to gamble, then don't lose your nerve halfway. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else can help you."

There was a brief pause before Paula's voice softened. "I understand, Serena."

Jared walked out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of ribs. By then, Tina had hung up the call and was busy devouring the half-eaten cake in front of her.

With a quick reflex, Jared grabbed the remaining half of the cake before she could finish it. Their eyes met-hers, protective and annoyed, like a child guarding a treat.

"Dinner first," he said, exasperated.

Tina glanced at the cake he had confiscated, bit down on her spoon, and reluctantly conceded. After all, only Uncle could make such delicious strawberry cake.

One cake versus having it every day-she understood the difference.

As they ate, Tina asked casually, "Uncle, how much longer do you think Claudia can hold on?" Jared placed a serving of greens in her bowl without hesitation. "Not much longer. As long as we're patient, she'll be the one feeling the pressure."

Tina nodded, slipping a piece of sweet-and-sour pork onto the greens without a word. Jared glanced at her, his sharp eyes catching the movement. "No picking out the vegetables." Tina froze. "..."

After dinner, Jared went to clean the kitchen while Tina headed to the bathroom.

When she came out, she found him already dressed in a robe, sitting casually on the edge of the bed. He patted the space beside him. "Come here."

but her

"Uncle..."

was something both tender and intense in his gaze. His voice, low and teasing, carried a hint of mischief. "What? Afraid I'll eat

hard. Not exactly fear-she was more concerned about whether her waist

some kind of restraint in Uncle.

hand to sit her down. "Sit still. Let

Tina blinked, surprised.

her eyes, enjoying the one-on-one

turned off the lights. The moment darkness enveloped the

against her back as Jared

in the dark.

That's it?

her thoughts, Jared tightened his hold on her waist. His lips brushed her ear as he whispered in a low, teasing voice,

to have your father chasing me with a knife. We'll settle this

have to do with her? Ruud's

The Next Morning

called early, informing them that the gifts were prepared and would be delivered to the Pace family shortly. He reminded

found a red dress

elegant, it paired perfectly with her favorite jewelry. There was no need

greeted by the aroma of fresh

counter, resting her chin

Jared turned, meeting her eyes with a

The corners of her eyes crinkled as she

a few meals can do that, Tina, are you overestimating

sparkling with mischief. "Maybe I should

don't need to worry about things like that." Tina quickly abandoned the idea. Pulling out her phone, she showed him something on the

the overseas side that needed handling. It got delayed for two days. I've already reviewed everything; you just need

companies with

had already caught wind of it. A secret overseas force under Uncle's command had also sent word to the