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.

was aware of the pill's miraculous effects, she hesitated. "Tina, I'll recover in

days. Do you plan to fight

but she would never drag the team down. Watching Courtney finally swallow the pill, Tina opened her mouth again, her tone

was referring to her decision to act alone without notifying the team. Her expression turned serious. "I'm sorry,

it that way. "Relax," she said softly. "I just want to know how

as she murmured, "My mom wouldn't acknowledge me. I

She had guessed the reason earlier but

Courtney admitted, "Honestly, Tina, I couldn't believe my mom was back at first. I didn't tell anyone and decided

understood her feelings. When she had seen her own mother again for the first time, her initial reaction had also been disbelief, followed by overwhelming joy at the reunion. But no matter how much she doubted,

it was Aunt Thaliana?"

the question, a flicker of hesitation in her

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

was implying. Tina was concerned someone might be impersonating Thaliana, deceiving them, or

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

her head and thought for a moment. "It was about a

might be missing out on the complete story. Head over there

ago?"

someone following me

you lost them shortly

and I thought I might have encountered a professional assassin. The next day, as I was preparing to

when you realized it

lip. "I wasn't sure at first. She looked so much like her, but I

"If Aunt Thaliana has returned, why didn't she acknowledge

was dead. She was afraid that appearing in front of me might put

drug back then, but the overdose damaged her brain. For a long time, she didn't even know who she was. It's only recently that she started to remember

was a known fact that false death drugs carried such risks. If

of the destruction plan clearly stated that Thaliana's death had been labeled as

pursue the matter further. Just then, Thaliana returned with a kettle in one

surprised. "Mom, you went

of water. "Yes, there wasn't much in the room. I brought you some

as gentle