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."

skipped a beat, but her body moved on

"Uncle..."

onto her. At that moment, there was something both tender and intense in his gaze. His voice, low and teasing, carried a hint of mischief. "What?

exactly fear-she was more concerned about

hadn't noticed it before, but marriage seemed to have broken some kind of restraint in Uncle. He was

pulling her hand to sit her down. "Sit still.

Tina blinked, surprised.

breeze from the hairdryer brushed over her scalp. She closed her eyes, enjoying the one-on-one pampering. Marriage, she thought, did have its perks. Uncle was more

the lights. The moment darkness enveloped the room, Tina's groggy

Jared wrapped his long arms around her. He

in the dark.

That's it?

her ear as he whispered in a low, teasing voice, "Tomorrow,

a knife. We'll settle this tomorrow

this have to do with her? Ruud's grievances

The Next Morning

were prepared and would be delivered to the Pace family shortly. He reminded them

found a red dress neatly placed

her favorite jewelry. There was no need to ask-Uncle's handiwork was written

outside and was greeted by the aroma of fresh bread. Following

perched herself at the kitchen counter, resting her chin in her

Jared turned, meeting her

corners of her eyes crinkled

bread in front of her. "If just a few meals

mischief. "Maybe I should try cooking again. Who knows?

that." Tina quickly abandoned the idea.

at it and nodded. "Yes. There were some procedures on the overseas side that needed handling. It got delayed for

at him. "All these-nearly two hundred companies

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