Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 980: Claudia's Trail At lunchtime, Warren and Jared exchanged pleasantries about their families. Jared listened attentively, responding to each point in turn.

Tina and Alina sat together, chatting while occasionally feeding Poppy, who was seated between them. Meanwhile, Ruud, stuck in the middle with no one addressing him, looked visibly upset and couldn't find an opportunity to join the conversation.

Tina noticed his forlorn expression and, feeling slightly uncomfortable, decided to speak up. "Uncle and I are doing fine. You don't need to worry," she said casually.

Ruud froze for a moment, his look of disappointment instantly replaced by joy. "If he ever dares

to treat you badly, let me know. Your dad won't let him off lightly!"

Jared choked on his drink. Wasn't he ever going to catch a break, even after getting married? Tina was speechless. She was trying to reassure him, not provoke him into criticizing Uncle Jared! Warren, equally exasperated by his son's dramatics, intervened. "Alright, tone it down. Let the young couple live their lives. You're the father-just focus on spoiling your future grandchildren and leave the rest alone."

Ruud blinked in surprise and turned to Tina with a look of shock. "You're pregnant, sweetheart?" Tina sighed deeply. At this moment, she was convinced her intelligence must have come solely from her mother-it had nothing to do with this man.

Alina gently tugged on Ruud's arm and whispered, "They've only just gotten married. Why are you in such a rush? Tina and Jared have such a good relationship; do you really think you won't become a grandfather soon enough?"

Tina took a deep breath, silently scolding herself for expecting any better. How could two people who shared the same bed turn out so differently in personality?

After the meal, Jared stayed behind to talk with Warren while Tina and Alina took Poppy to the backyard.

In the garden, Tina discreetly checked Poppy's pulse. Considering Poppy and Kevin were siblings, there was a possibility that Poppy might also carry traces of the toxic backlash in their bloodline. To her relief, Poppy showed no signs of it. This particular toxin wasn't something she could confidently cure, so it was a blessing that Poppy's body was unaffected.

Noticing Tina's expression, Poppy tilted his small face upward and asked hesitantly, "Tina, am I sick?"

Tina gently patted his head. "No, Poppy. You're very healthy, and you'll stay that way." Hearing this, Poppy's face lit up with a smile.

Alina pointed to a nearby flowerbed and said to Poppy, "Didn't you want to pick a flower for Alina to put in a vase? Alina loves pink ones."

Poppy nodded enthusiastically and dashed toward the flowerbed.

turned to Tina, her

from the Swanson family has been practicing forbidden techniques. Poppy is part

boy in the distance, her gaze darkening. "Using human lives as stepping

"Desire knows no bounds. Selfish people will always find excuses to justify their

a deep breath, then changed the subject. "Any progress

down on a bench. "Almost. Uncle gravely injured her-she

someone to hide within the Pace family for so long, Claudia's

eyebrow. "Does Dad

him. He spent years on the frontlines. While he may not have much affection for

agreed. Ruud's strong sense of family loyalty was evident in how he treated

what they planned to do about Poppy and Kevin if the Swanson family

Pace family can certainly afford to raise a couple

connection to the boy. If it ever came to that, they'd be more

a phone call from Jayden. "Young Master, there's been a murder case on the west side of town involving a

then turned to Jared with a faint smile. "Uncle, what's meant to

the car around and headed west. "As long as

of town, Jayden had already cordoned off the area,

been identified. She was a 29-year-old woman who lived alone. She was killed during her night run, her heart removed, and her body dumped in

on gloves as she moved closer to examine

incision around the heart was clean and precise, likely done with

an attempt to obscure

probable she had been hiding out in this

the surveillance cameras in

"We've already gone through

him, "Keep investigating. Women who live alone tend to be

suspect pool to young women. Anyone who

regardless of gender or age, should