Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

"Good question."

Hayden sat in the parking lot, watching the live court proceedings on a tablet with Nathan. Neither had entered the courtroom. Both held fruit teas in one hand and snacks in the other, enjoying a relaxed afternoon. "These people really know how to focus on the main points," Hayden mused.

Nathan, holding his snack with a hint of disdain, added, "Phil Walker and Mrs. Ogden responded pretty quickly. I thought this would be over faster."

His gaze shifted to the front row, where Pippa Ogden was seated. Compared to the last time they had seen her, there was a new spark in her eyes-perhaps the anticipation of freedom after today had invigorated her. She held a tablet in her hands, Phil Walker's voice pouring through her earbuds, sharp and urgent:

"When will I get my turn?! Why is Miss Reed tangled up with these two scumbags?!"

It was rare to see someone so eager to drag their own mother down.

Hayden and Nathan exchanged a glance. They understood Pippa's resolve. If they were in her position, they'd likely have already reached a breaking point with Mrs. Ogden. For Pippa, finding a way out of her personal prison was no small victory, and it was clear she couldn't wait any longer.

Hayden grabbed an unopened snack from beside him and handed it to her. "Relax. It won't be long now. Have something to eat so you'll have energy later."

Adriana Smith, tied up and sitting near them, shifted uncomfortably. She let out a muffled whimper, her eyes fixated on the snack in Hayden's hand, hunger clear in her gaze.

Noticing her expression, Hayden smirked. He pulled out a compact, dry-looking ration bar, tore the tape from Adriana's mouth, and shoved the bar toward her. "Here, this is for you."

Adriana frowned, holding the unappetizing bar in her hand. "Why does she get snacks and soda, and I get stuck with this dry, throat-clogging thing? Can't you treat your witnesses with a little more decency?"

"Decency?" Hayden mocked. "The only reason you're still here is because you're useful. Otherwise, you'd be lucky to get even this. If Serena were handling this, you'd already be locked up with the dogs. Consider her mercy."

Though Hayden couldn't quite understand why Serena seemed hesitative and uncharacteristically cautious about the Hidden family situation, he trusted her judgment. Serena always had her reasons, even if they weren't immediately clear. He was certain of one thing: the calm before them was only the prelude to a violent storm.

Despite the smile on Hayden's face, his eyes betrayed no emotion. "Sure, I'll have someone bring you a grand feast later. But whether you'll live long enough to eat it? That's no concern of mine."

Adriana flexed her bound fingers, glaring at him. "Are you threatening me?!"

"Don't forget," Nathan interjected, handing his untouched fruit tea and snack to Pippa, "you're the one who needs us. If this is how you want to play, aren't you worried about what might slip out when you testify? You might never recover from that."

Adriana's defiance faltered. Nathan's words hit her like a blow. "You....."

Her voice choked as she recalled the poison Tina had slipped her. Every time it flared up, it left her writhing in unbearable pain.

Swallowing her pride, Adriana accepted the ration bar, too afraid to argue further. Who knew what these lunatics might do behind Tina's back? They were no different than Mrs. Ogden-completely unhinged.

Satisfied that Adriana had quieted down, Hayden's chilly gaze shifted back to his laptop.

Inside the courtroom, Phil Walker stood rigid, his defiant words drawing murmurs of agreement from the jury.

Tina leaned back in her chair, her cold, clear eyes lazily sweeping over Phil. Turning her gaze to the judge, she spoke calmly. "You didn't have the resources back then. But the people who wired you the money certainly did." She tilted her head slightly, her tone light but cutting. "I'm curious though. Why would so many influential figures send money to someone as insignificant as you were at the time?"

Phil's face instantly turned pale.

His eyes darted nervously to the camera, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. "I didn't... Those were just rumors spread online! I never accepted bribes. None of it is true! It's all fabricated, photoshopped!" "Tina, stop trying to change the subject!"

Phil's fear was evident, but Mrs. Ogden seized the moment. Clearly worried that losing the case would implicate her, she stood abruptly.

"This isn't about Phil Walker taking bribes!" she snapped. "We're here to discuss Joseph Dyers' misconduct. What does Phil Walker's financial history have to do with that?!"

Her sneer deepened. "Are you seriously suggesting someone paid Phil Walker to accuse Joseph Dyers? Ha! Look at that old bastard-what could anyone possibly want from someone like him?"

Tina's icy gaze flicked toward Mrs. Ogden, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. The sensation crawled across her skin, leaving her unsettled long after Tina looked away.

For a brief moment, Mrs. Ogden felt as if Tina's glance had stripped her bare, exposing her every secret.

Phil, mistaking Tina's silence as a sign of retreat, straightened up, his fear fading. "Your Honor, I swear I've never slandered anyone! Elsa and her people are completely unreasonable! Please, trust me-Joseph Dyers is scum who deserves to rot in hell! Only fools would defend someone like him!"

"My father-in-law never did any of those things!" Elsa, who had been quietly enduring, finally erupted, her eyes blazing with anger.

She turned her fury on Mrs. Ogden. "You and Phil Walker orchestrated everything! If it weren't for your schemes, my in-laws wouldn't be in this mess!"

Mrs. Ogden, unfazed, smirked. "Watch your words, Elsa! Your father-in-law ended up this way because he deserved it. He assaulted my daughter! A man like that, with no morals, has no place in this world!"

Tina raised an eyebrow and gave Elsa's trembling arm a reassuring tug. "You keep saying 'assault.' Where's your proof?"

Her tone was calm, almost indifferent. "Do you have a hospital report? Or maybe witnesses from back then?"Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

Phil Walker quickly interrupted, cutting off the brewing argument. "Of course we do!" He turned to the judge. "Your Honor, I have witnesses who can prove I wasn't lying back then!"

The judge, visibly irritated by the ongoing bickering, signaled with a slight nod. "Bring in the witnesses."

At his command, a group of people entered the courtroom. Among them were elderly individuals around Joseph Dyers' age and younger men who bore a striking resemblance to Milos Raonic.