Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 1029: The False Death Drug

Time had left barely a trace on her face. Thaliana's posture was as poised as ever, and the brilliance in her eyes remained the same. The only noticeable difference was her hair-once tied in a crisp ponytail, it now fell freely over her shoulders.

She inclined her head slightly. "Aunt Thaliana, hello. I'm Tina," she introduced herself.

Thaliana looked at Tina, but her gaze seemed to pass through her, focusing on someone else. "I heard from Connie. Tina, they say you carry the shadow of your mother. How is she?"

Tina pressed her lips together before replying, "She's doing well. She's not in the capital at the moment; she went abroad with my dad for their honeymoon."

"If she knew you had returned, she would be thrilled."

Hearing this, Thaliana paused, visibly startled. "Your father is...?"

Tina answered directly, "His name is Ruud."

At the mention of the name, a flicker of surprise flashed in Thaliana's eyes. She shook her head in disbelief. "I never would've guessed. So, the person your mother held in her heart all these years was him. No wonder she kept his name a secret for so long... it makes sense now."

A strange feeling flashed through Tina's heart, but she quickly dismissed it. It couldn't be her. Other people might pretend, but Aunt Thaliana wouldn't.

Realizing her distraction, Thaliana suddenly clapped her hands. "Look at me! Seeing you brought back so many memories of your mother, I got carried away. Please, have a seat."

She made her way to pour water but stopped when she found the kettle empty. Turning to the two of them, she said, "You two chat. I'll go get some water."

Courtney nodded. Watching Thaliana pick up the kettle, she couldn't help but express her concern. "Mom, be careful not to scald yourself."

Thaliana smiled softly, asking her to keep Tina company and promising she'd be back shortly.

Now, only Tina and Courtney remained in the room.

Tina observed Courtney's expression and gestured toward her hand. "Let me see your injury."

Courtney hesitated, trying to pull back, but Tina's unwavering look made her reluctantly extend her hand. Tina's fingers lightly brushed over it, and after a moment, she seemed to understand the cause. She reached into her bottle and took out a healing pill, handing it to Courtney.

effects, she hesitated. "Tina, I'll recover in

next few days. Do you

left Courtney no room to argue. She could endure pain, but she would never drag the team down. Watching Courtney finally swallow the pill, Tina opened her mouth again, her tone calm yet probing. "Why did

to act alone without notifying the team. Her

signaling that she hadn't meant it that

gaze lowered slightly as she murmured, "My mom wouldn't acknowledge me. I didn't have any

raised an eyebrow. She had guessed the reason earlier but hadn't expected

admitted, "Honestly, Tina, I couldn't believe my mom

time, her initial reaction had also been disbelief, followed by overwhelming joy at the reunion. But

did you first realize it was Aunt Thaliana?" Tina

the question, a flicker of hesitation in

overthink. I'm only asking because I want to make sure nothing overlaps. Don't worry-no one doubts Aunt

someone might be impersonating Thaliana, deceiving them, or manipulating their emotions. But this was her mother-how could

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want

thought for a moment.

you might be missing out on the complete story.

ago?" Tina

It was Friday afternoon. I was leaving the lab and noticed someone following me on my way home. After realizing it, I decided

lost them shortly after," Tina

The next day, as I was preparing to report it to the team, I saw the

you realized it was

looked so much like her, but I decided

doubts deepened. "If Aunt Thaliana has returned, why didn't

afraid that appearing in front of me might

trace of pain flickered across her face. "She used a false death drug back then, but the overdose damaged her brain. For a long

this explanation. It was a known fact that false death drugs carried such risks. If the antidote wasn't administered within a specific

the destruction plan clearly stated that Thaliana's death had

returned with a kettle in one hand and fresh fruit in the

surprised. "Mom, you went

of water. "Yes, there wasn't much in the room.

was as gentle