Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

When the topic came up, Ella Bailey's face fell.

She looked utterly disgusted, as if she had just swallowed a fly. "Victor has no shame. He's afraid Logan will confront him about his daughter, so he doesn't dare show his face. As for Luke Gill, he has his own agenda. He's not asking me to bring back Victor's brother but wants me to negotiate with Tina to postpone the trial."

Ruud nodded slightly, noticing Ella Bailey's reluctance to discuss further.

He didn't press the matter, his thoughtful expression fading. "If that's the case, then do as he says. This will buy us some time. If Tina and her side win the case and Luke Gill ends up in prison, things will get difficult for us.' Ella Bailey nodded firmly. "Yes, General Praevion."

As she turned to leave, a wave of relief washed over her.

Thank goodness.

General Praevion hadn't asked further questions. If he knew her mother had already been found, she wouldn't know whether or not to reveal it.

Tina's medical skills truly surprised her. She'd heard that Leo had been hospitalized due to Jared's actions not long ago. At the time, there wasn't enough evidence, so Jared was released.

And it was Tina-known as "Spectre"-who treated Leo.

Ella Bailey hadn't realized Tina and Spectre were the same person until recently.Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.

If Tina had treated Leo, then General Praevion was probably aware of it too.

But did that mean he might suspect her collaboration with Tina, or even that she had sought Tina's help to treat her mother?

Ella Bailey left the meeting room cautiously, her fingers twitching slightly. Woods, who was waiting by the door, immediately followed her.

Neither turned back as they walked away.

If they had, they would have noticed the dark, swirling suspicion in Ruud's eyes, as black and murky as ink.

After a long pause, Ruud suddenly picked up his phone and sent a text: "Investigate Tina."

He didn't know why, but something told him that this woman was the key to uncovering Tracey's whereabouts.

Moments later, a figure slipped into the room.

"General Praevion, our men following your brother have noticed that he's been visiting a hotel frequently. He stays there for long periods. Should we..."

Ruud's expression didn't shift. "Do nothing for now. Wait until Jared's plans become clearer before making a move."

"Understood!"

The late summer sun was still blistering.

The scorching heat kept most people indoors, huddled under air conditioning. But Ella Bailey, having just left Ruud's meeting room, stood directly under the blazing sun. She felt like her luck had hit rock bottom lately.

All she had done was visit a teahouse, and she'd run into Luke Gill.

Luke Gill watched her step out of the private room, his cold, scrutinizing gaze fixed on her. "Ella, I didn't know you were into tea."

Ella Bailey shot him a disdainful glare, her annoyance evident. "Do you think you know everything about me? Who do you think you are?"

Her irritation didn't faze Luke Gill. He smiled faintly and continued, "Of course, I don't need to know everything. But we're husband and wife. I should at least know a little about your preferences."

"If you like tea, I happen to have some that someone gave me. Shall I bring it over for you to try?"

Ella Bailey gave him a withering look, eyeing him up and down. "Acting all generous without cause-clearly, you're up to no good. You just want me to mediate for you, don't you? Fine, I'll do it, but I have one condition." Luke Gill's eyes were devoid of warmth, his gaze as cold as autumn waters.

He stared at Ella Bailey, then suddenly smiled, his lips curling mockingly. "And what bargaining chip do you think you have to negotiate with me right now?"

The bustling hallway didn't bother him, nor did he care if others overheard his ambitions.

11

His voice was arrogant and unyielding as he addressed her. "Ella, don't forget-your mother's whereabouts are still in my hands. You have no choice but to help me. Otherwise, I can't guarantee whether the next time you see her, she'll be alive o dead."

Ella Bailey's expression turned icy. "You're threatening me?!"

Luke Gill shook his head with a faint smile. "No, I'm merely stating the facts, Ella. Don't waste your energy on wishful thinking. Do as I say, and in return, you'll get to keep your position as the Bailey family's eldest daughter in peace." The unspoken threat hung in the air. Ella Bailey clenched her arms tighter, her cold gaze like a blade.

Behind her, Woods couldn't see her face, but the tense atmosphere made it clear she was in no good mood.

His eyes flickered subtly, his gaze inadvertently meeting Luke Gill's.

Luke Gill gave him a meaningful look. Woods hesitated, then turned to open the nearest private room door.

Just as he was about to act, Ella Bailey abruptly grabbed his wrist. "Whose side are you on?!"

Her voice, laced with frost, was enough to send a chill through anyone's heart. Woods froze for a moment, caught off guard. Then he lowered his head respectfully, his tone apologetic.

Ella Bailey didn't wait for him to respond. Letting go of his wrist, she turned to Luke Gill. "Fine. I'll do it. But whether or not it works depends on your luck."

"No, it'll work."

It was hard to tell if his tone carried trust or veiled menace. Luke Gill's smile reached his eyes but carried no warmth.

He reached out as if to embrace her, pretending to play the role of a loving husband. But Ella Bailey instinctively dodged, her movement so sharp that his hand brushed awkwardly past her.

He glanced down at the faint red mark on his hand, his expression darkening for a fleeting moment before returning to calm.

"Ella, good luck."

Ella Bailey's thoughts: Good luck, my ass!

She wanted nothing more than to smack Luke Gill's smug face with her handbag.

Her temper flared, but she held it in.

Woods wisely stayed silent as he drove her to the Farrell family estate.

When they arrived, Tina and Jared weren't home yet.

Marie greeted her instead. "I haven't seen you much since the last family dinner. It's good to have you here. Come in, have a seat."

Ella Bailey's identity, combined with Tina's prior instructions, made Marie warm and welcoming.

"Tina and Jared aren't back yet. You'll have to wait a bit."

Sophia, who had been doing her homework, rushed out when she heard the commotion.

When she saw Ella Bailey, her face lit up. "Ella!"

"Hello, Sophia."

In the Bailey family, Ella was either berated by Victor or locked in constant battle with Vivienne and her daughter.

After marrying Luke Gill, life didn't improve.

This was the first time someone had greeted her so warmly, simply because of a shared blood connection.

It made her feel awkward. She smiled stiffly, unsure what to say.

Just as she debated whether to strike up a conversation, Tina and Jared walked through the door.