Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Mia's sharp eyes swept over every member of the Pace family, finally settling on Alina. Her dark, piercing gaze grew heavier as she pointed a finger at Alina and demanded, "Who are you? Why have I never seen you before?"

Before Alina could respond, Grandpa Pace stepped in, his voice calm yet firm. "This is Alina, the daughter of the Brookes family. More importantly, she is Ruud's future wife-my future daughter-in-law."

Mia studied Alina for a moment. She had heard of the Brookes family but didn't dwell on it. Her brows furrowed as she asked, "If you're the daughter of the Brookes family, have you married Ruud yet? Why are you living here before marriage?" Ruud's face darkened. "She's staying with the Pace family. Do you have a problem with that, Aunt?"noveldrama

Among the Pace family, everyone gave Mia some measure of respect-except Ruud. He had never liked this aunt of his. If not for his grandfather's presence, he wouldn't have bothered to come greet her today. And with his wedding to Alina approaching, he wanted to avoid unnecessary conflict that might make things difficult for her.

Mia's expression tightened, her tone sharp. "Ruud, what's this? I'm your aunt. Am I not allowed to question your choice of a wife?"

Ruud's voice remained calm but firm. "You can question it, but you're not allowed to interfere."

His words struck like a warning bell.

Mia narrowed her eyes, glancing at Alina with an inscrutable look before changing the subject. "I heard you have a daughter. Why haven't I seen her? Hasn't she moved into the Pace family home yet?"

Her words carried a hint of provocation. She claimed not to know who Alina was yet seemed aware that Ruud and Alina had a daughter.

Ruud and Alina exchanged a glance, a faint smile playing on their lips, but neither said a word.

Standing to the side, Boris Pace watched with a smirk, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama. Ruud and Alina might escape Mia's scrutiny, but Tina would not. Everyone in the family knew how much Mia despised being disrespected, especially when it came to her homecomings. Tina was bound to face trouble from Mia in the future.

Grandpa Pace, however, broke the silence. "Tina's still resting. She was exhausted from the welcome banquet yesterday. There's plenty of time for her to meet you."

Though Grandpa Pace was old and had once turned a blind eye to Boris Pace's schemes-like when Boris tried to poison him-he wasn't a fool. Boris was his son, and while he had overlooked some of his actions in the past, Mia was not family by blood.

In the past, Mia had ruled the household with an iron fist, and Grandpa Pace had tolerated her out of respect for her seniority. But now that she was targeting Tina and Alina, he wouldn't stand for it.

Next to him, Boris Pace rolled his eyes, careful not to be caught. The old man's favoritism was blatant-no matter what Ruud's family did, Grandpa Pace would always take their side.

Mia's displeasure was evident despite Grandpa Pace's explanation. She let out a cold snort. "It seems she doesn't respect me as her grand aunt."

She ignored Grandpa Pace entirely, as if he hadn't spoken.

Boris Pace chuckled darkly to himself. His aunt wasn't likely to let Tina off the hook, and he relished the thought of Mia making the girl's life difficult.

Ruud's thick brows furrowed, his voice laced with irritation. "Why are you picking a fight with a child? You're old enough to enjoy life. Stop meddling in things that don't concern you." Mia's face immediately darkened. "Ruud, are you saying I'm not welcome here?"

Ruud replied evenly, "You're my aunt. Of course, you're welcome."

"Then why, on the day of my return, does your daughter sleep in while everyone else comes to greet me? And when I say something about it, you take this attitude with me? She's the younger generation. By all rights, she should come out to show her respect."

Before Ruud could respond, Mia continued, her voice sharp. "She's a Pace family daughter, your father's granddaughter. Her behavior reflects on the family. If she's so poorly raised, what will outsiders think of the Pace family? If you've chosen to bring her back, you need to teach her some manners. The prosperity of the Pace family can't be tarnished by her lack of discipline."

Ruud laughed, his tone cold. "What would they say? That her father, who just found her and brought her home, is too soft on her? And what-would that shame me? Let me tell you something: the Pace family's prosperity exists because of me. If my daughter sleeping in could ruin it, then so be it. I'll build it back up again myself."

Alina turned to look at Ruud, a smile tugging at her lips. He was so handsome, so commanding. It had been a long time since she'd seen this side of him. This was the man she had fallen in love with.

Mia's expression stiffened as she stared at Ruud, her gaze deepening. Finally, she said slowly, "I was only offering a reminder."

"No need," Ruud replied, his voice firm and authoritative. "My daughter is at home. She can do as she pleases. Even if the Pace family crumbles because of her, I'll rebuild it for her."

Mia was so furious she couldn't speak. Boris Pace's face was equally dark. He hadn't expected Ruud to dote on Tina so openly.

Among the three brothers, Tina was the only child. Grandpa Pace and the other two brothers had always looked down on Boris. Now, with Tina in the picture, it was clear who would inherit the family in the future. That was unacceptable. Boris had spent years ingratiating himself with their father, taking care of him in hopes of securing the Pace family's future for himself. Handing it over to Tina was out of the question. Grandpa Pace laughed heartily, breaking the tense silence. "Mia, don't take it to heart. Ruud has a temper, and he's only just found his daughter. Of course, he'll spoil her like a treasure."

He then turned to Ruud with a knowing look. "Still, your aunt is right. The younger generation should show respect to their elders. Once Tina wakes up and has something to eat, let her come greet her grand aunt." His words seemed conciliatory but were clearly biased toward Tina. Even suggesting she eat before greeting Mia was a subtle dismissal of Mia's authority.

Mia's face darkened further. Though Grandpa Pace's words seemed to support her, his actions showed he was shielding Tina.

At that moment, Tina appeared at the top of the grand spiral staircase. She descended slowly, her sleepy eyes scanning the crowded living room. Raising an eyebrow, she took in the scene below.

Everyone's eyes turned to her, many filled with pity. Tina noticed but didn't understand why. Spotting Mia, she recalled Ruud waking her earlier and greeted politely, "Grand Aunt."

Mia's expression remained cold. Despite Ruud's protective stance, she still glared at Tina, her tone heavy with authority. "Everyone in the Pace family came down to greet me. Why were you the only one still in bed?" Tina's brows arched slightly as she looked at Mia. Someone was picking a fight this early in the morning?

Yawning lazily, she responded in a casual tone, "Because I had a dream."

Mia's face darkened further, her anger simmering.

Tina appeared oblivious, pouring herself a cup of tea. She sat down, legs crossed, and began spinning a tale. "I dreamed my dad came to wake me, saying I had to meet my grand aunt. So I spent the whole dream meeting you. I was so focused in the dream that I forgot to wake up in real life."

She yawned again, her tone indifferent. "I greeted you so earnestly in the dream that now I'm exhausted."

Mia's expression grew even colder, her voice sharp and icy. "Do you take me for a fool?"