Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 985: The Core Never Changes Behind the White family's back door, a figure clutching a box sneaked away in a guilty manner. "Master!" Tina stood there, arms crossed, quietly watching him, waiting to see how long it would take for him to notice her.

Master Tam froze, turning around with a sheepish grin at his disciple. "You little brat, why are you here? Looking forabout something?" Tina smiled back, raising her eyebrows. "Weren't you supposed to be back at Serenity Ridge? Cback pretty quickly, huh?" Master Tam went silent.

Noticing the box in his arms, Tina narrowed her eyes. "What are you holding?" Instinctively, Master Tam hid the box behind his back. "Nothing. Nothing at all." Tina saw through him instantly and said flatly, "Master, you're taking gifts while looking after your disciple? If Hayden finds out, are you sure he won't ccrying to you?" Master Tam's mouth twitched. He quickly pulled Tina into his corner. "No, no, no. That foolish boy already has a fiancée. As his master, I'm working so hard for him. Taking a little running fee isn't taking advantage, right?" Tina remained silent, just staring at him.

Under her gaze, Master Tam felt guilty and had to compromise. "Fine, fine! When he gets married, I'll personally give him a big red envelope. Is that okay?" But he wasn't going to touch his precious treasures. If he opened the floodgates for one disciple, the rest of the pack would smell it and ccharging after him.

Tina glanced around and got straight to the point. "Master, are we talking here, or should we find another place?" Master Tam, clutching the box protectively, cleared his throat. "Let's just talk here!" Changing the location might give her a chance to run off with his loot.

Tina nodded and asked directly, "You mentioned before that forbidden techniques have side effects. Is there a cure?" Master Tam frowned at this. "Hard to say. The effects of forbidden techniques vary, and their causes are often elusive, almost like a curse. Even if you manage to cure it, it's usually temporary." "But generally speaking, the most straightforward solution to undoing the effects of a forbidden technique is to kill the person practicing it." Tina wasn't convinced it would be that simple.

If Orion Woodwind's death could bring peace to the Swanson family, Kevin's final wish wouldn't have been to perish alongside them.

Master Tam paused, then added, "That's just the easiest solution. People who practice forbidden techniques often have grand ambitions. They won't reveal their vulnerabilities easily. But the core never changes-whatever the side effects, their source will always be tied to the person practicing it." He looked at his disciple. "If this person is still of value to you, you can block the victim's pressure points with silver needles for now. Solve the immediate issue first, then tackle the source later." Tina nodded, her mind already made up.

Seeing the matter settled, Master Tam was ready to slip away with his box. If his apprentice saw what was inside, he probably wouldn't be left with anything.

As she seemed to recall something, Tina suddenly asked, "Master, have you ever seen an injury that causes fear of sunlight?" Master Tam froze, momentarily confused. "Did you run into a vampire?" Tina rolled her eyes and explained the situation with Claudia. "I suspect Claudia is connected to that family you mentioned before. She heals by eating human hearts and is afraid of light." Master Tam was stunned, then muttered with a mix of horror and intrigue, "I never thought I'd encounter such a monstrous creature after all these years. If someone could study her, the research value would be incredible." Tina was speechless.

"You've seen something like this before?" She pressed for details.

Master Tam scratched his nose, dodging the question. "Your master isn't a god. I haven't seen every demon and monster out there. Letgo back and check for you." "But don't get your hopes up too high. Stories like these have been exaggerated over time. Most of them aren't reliable." Tina raised her eyes. "How many days?" Master Tam thought for a moment. "I'll need to make a trip back to Serenity Ridge. Three days at the latest." Tina nodded and turned to leave.

Just then, Master Tam seemed to remember something and rushed to block her path. "Hold on. You didn't forget that wild snow lotus you promised me, did you? You didn't bring it, did you?" Tina spread her hands, her expression calm. "I went straight to the hospital this morning to deal with Hayden's situation. Do you think I'd carry something like that around?" Her words made sense, but Master Tam couldn't shake the feeling he'd been tricked again. "You're not lying to me, right?" Knowing her master's temperament inside and out, Tina nodded and even gave a verbal promise. "Three days later, I'll bring the information you find in exchange for it. I promise." "And as for the treasures in your box, I'll pretend I didn't see anything." Master Tam's eyes lit up. "Now that's more like it." Tina tilted her chin. "Can I leave now?" Master Tam waved her off. "Go, go! And tell those boys to stop bothering me. They're grown men now, but each one is more annoying than the last." Tina said nothing.

With an efficiency that rivaled her own, why would she let him off so easily? In the main hall, Paula had stopped crying and was helping a shaky Hayden to sit down.

She looked a bit embarrassed. "Hayden, don't blmy grandfather and father. They agreed to gamble withbecause they were worried about me. They were afraid that if I married you and you changed your heart, I wouldn't know what to do." Hearing this, Hayden nearly jumped out of his seat. "How could that happen? When I set my mind to something- or someone-it's either for life or to the grave." Paula froze, then smiled wryly. "You don't have to go that far. I understand your feelings." Hayden realized how tic he sounded. "That's not what I meant..." "By the way, Paula, you mentioned your grandfather was acting with you earlier. Was the invitation part of the plan too?" Paula laughed, exasperated. "Hayden, you really don't think things through, do you? Didn't you notice the invitation only went to your house?" Hayden blinked, stunned by the realization.

Could it be that everything had been resolved so easily?

When he returned, he would have to thank his master and Serena Serenaom properly. Without them, he might not have even made it through the White family's door. Through this experience, he finally understood.

The person he had always liked and wanted to protect had been right behind him all along- Paula.

Paula, seeing through his thoughts, was both moved and amused. "You should really thank Serena. She guessed everything from the start. She toldto trust my judgment and to trust you." "Huh?" Hayden was dumbfounded. "Serena knew? Why didn't she tell me?" Tina emerged from the back garden, catching the conversation. She replied flatly, "Would it have helped if she did?" Hayden turned, startled to see Tina suddenly appear, and stood up straight so quickly it looked painful.

Tina shot him a look. "If you want to keep that leg, rest properlOtherwise.no/bone-setting specialist will take your case." Hayden nodded obediently, looking as docile as ever.

Tina exchanged a glance with Paula, signaling her to leave first.

Paula gave a slight nod, watching Tina walk away.

Outside the front gate, the Cohen family father and son had already left. Only Jared remained, waiting by the car.

Tina approached, and Jared held out his hand to her. "Are you tired?"