Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

After finishing their shopping trip, Jared kept his promise and took Tina back to the Reed family. The time they spent together was too short, and watching Tina get out of the car and leave felt like a piece of his heart was being torn away. Just wait a little longer; the time isn’t right yet. Tina was still investigating her master’s matters and needed to stay with the Reed family. Jared knew how important this was to Tina. No one could stop her from doing what she wanted, and he didn’t want to either. Once everything was over, he would give her the grandest wedding and marry his girl.

On the other side, Tina had just returned home when Hugo called out to her before she reached her room.

“Tina!” He rubbed his hands together, a slightly nervous smile on his face, and asked with concern, “Where did you go? Why did it take so long to come back?”

Tina raised her eyes slightly, her expression indifferent. “Is something wrong?”

Hugo waved his hands repeatedly as if afraid she’d misunderstand. “Nothing much, just wanted to chat with you.”

“You see, Jennie and I have been here for so long but haven’t had a chance to sit down and talk with you. I also want to know how you’re doing here.”

Tina gave him a meaningful look and then nodded. She didn’t take him to her room but went to the courtyard instead. There were several lounge chairs in the courtyard. Tina casually picked one and sat down, getting straight to the point. “What do you want to know?”

Hugo paused for a moment before sitting beside her with a forced smile. “How do you feel staying with the Reed family? How are they treating you?”

The same few questions over and over again. Tina looked disinterestedly at the wisteria in the yard and replied, “It’s okay, no particular feelings.”

Annabelle indeed treated her well, always considering her emotions. In contrast, Muff and Jasper were harder to pin down. When it came to feelings weighed against interests, those two always calculated the pros and cons.

Seeing that she had no complaints about the Reed family, Hugo continued, “Actually, I came to the Reed family this time also to see where your mother used to live.”

“If time could go back, I really wish I could have treated her better then. She suffered so much but was indeed a good mother.”

Hearing him mention her mother made Tina’s expression soften slightly, adding a bit more emotion to her eyes. She lowered her gaze; no one knew what she was thinking. “I know she was great.”

“Yes,” Hugo said with deep emotion. “You must miss her a lot too. After all, she left when you were so young; it must have been hard for a child to accept.”

Tina responded with a faint hum without saying much more.

“By the way, Tina…” Hugo hesitated before speaking again.

Tina’s lips curved slightly. Was he finally getting to the point?

“The potion I gave you last time-is it still with you?” Hugo asked while observing Tina’s expression.

Tina raised an eyebrow. “Potion?”

Hugo nodded. “Yes.”

Tina looked up at him. “Why bring it up now?”

Hugo quickly put on a smile. “When I gave you that potion, I wasn’t thinking clearly and handed it over just like that. I forgot your mother had told me it’s dangerous and shouldn’t be given lightly.”

Hugo paused and spoke softly, “Tina, like your mother, I hope you can live happily and safely without getting involved in these matters. So after careful consideration, if you haven’t given away the potion yet, please hand it back to me for safekeeping until the right time.”

Tina looked at him with a faint smile. “When do you think is the right time?”

Hugo thought for a moment before replying, “At least when you’re strong enough to protect it.”

“Heh,” Tina chuckled. “Mr. Reed thinks I’m not strong enough?”

Hugo looked up into Tina’s clear eyes-eyes that seemed like bright moons in a dark night, capable of seeing through hearts and piercing straight into him like sharp swords.

Hugo was stunned for a few seconds; for some reason, he felt inexplicably flustered.

After a moment, Hugo gathered his thoughts and smiled again. “You’re quite strong indeed, but this potion is very dangerous. I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep it safe since it’s your mother’s only remaining possession.”

“I can’t keep it safe?” Tina lowered her gaze and asked calmly, “Then does Mr. Reed think he can?”

Hugo fell silent before answering, “I might also struggle to keep it safe, but at least it’s safer with me.”

Tina glanced at him without speaking.

After a long pause, she sat down again, playing with the ring on her finger. “Does Mr. Reed know what this potion is for?”

Hugo’s gaze fell on her ring; it seemed oddly familiar as if he’d seen it somewhere before but couldn’t recall exactly where.

He withdrew his gaze discreetly and nodded. “Your mother once told me this potion could alter human hormones when used on people, pushing their energy levels to their peak-endless energy. If someone with ill intentions got hold of it and used it to build an army against our country, it would be disastrous.”

“Do you know which organization is after this potion?” Tina continued asking.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“GTO,” Hugo answered promptly.

Tina raised an eyebrow and smiled. “It seems Mr. Reed knows quite a lot.”

“All told by your mother,” Hugo’s eyes flickered slightly.

“What does Mr. Reed know about GTO?” Tina asked casually.

“I only know it’s the largest international organization; nothing more,” Hugo replied evasively.

“Then let me tell you about GTO.” Tina stood up and walked opposite Hugo, speaking slowly but clearly. “GTO is the largest human trafficking organization globally; over twenty thousand people from our country have gone missing in the past two decades-sold off to GTO for human experiments aimed at achieving their goals.”

“GTO has no shortage of geniuses: medical doctors, tech moguls-all working for them willingly or otherwise. Their base is well-hidden; no one has pinpointed its exact location yet. Among those missing over twenty years, eighty percent are children. To rescue these trafficked individuals and destroy their experimental potions’ research base, our country has sent countless undercover agents-nearly a hundred have sacrificed themselves over these years.”

Hugo frowned deeply; he couldn’t understand why Tina was telling him all this.

Tina glanced at him before continuing calmly: “Did Mr. Reed know my mother was an undercover agent? Besides being an exceptional medical genius skilled in poisons-she excelled even more in disguise!”