Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Two consecutive questions left Amber and Elena pale-faced. The looks they received from the others in the room were filled with unclear implications and veiled mockery. Amber felt uncomfortable under their gazes and was about to speak when suddenly someone preempted her, “So it turns out that the savior was Miss Tina, not Miss Amber. Tsk tsk, I hardly think a fraudster could be any Miss Ensford.”

The speaker was Velma Lehman, a member of the wealthy and powerful Lehman family, a force in Ensford no one could contend with. All the Lehman children excelled in their respective fields, all except for Velma. She was uneducated and belligerent, constantly getting into fights. Yet, because she was known for her loyalty, she had many friends. For some reason, she harbored a deep-seated hatred for Amber. An extreme hatred!

Perhaps she couldn’t stand Amber’s constant air of woefulness. Amber whirled around to glare at her, so angry she felt she could shatter her silver teeth. That despicable Velma! Always looking for trouble with her! When Velma met Amber’s glare, she stared back defiantly, “What? Can’t own up to what you’ve done? Hah, I thought you were so noble, but you are nothing more than this. You’re just an adopted daughter, given the best of everything at home, yet you always pose as a victim. What’s wrong with you?”

With that, the crowd’s eyes on Amber felt like thorns. She was rigid all over. She never would have imagined that Jared would dig up the old surveillance footage and publicly display it. All for Tina? But what was she to do? This could ruin her reputation beyond repair.

Amber bit her lip, looking on the verge of tears, “It’s not like that…” She tried to explain, but Velma did not afford her the opportunity, scoffing coldly, “Save your tears, no one is bullying you. Who are you trying to impress? The surveillance footage is crystal clear. You, Amber Reed, did nothing to help! Miss Tina tried to save that girl while you stood in the way! After she healed the girl, you came out to claim the credit, hogging their gratitude after being exposed.”

Velma clicked her tongue twice in disdain, “I’ve never seen anyone as shameless as you!” Amber was so angry she felt like slapping her. But she couldn’t. And wouldn’t be able to overpower her anyway.

Just as she was about to defend herself, someone from the crowd said, “Gee, I’ve never been so mistaken in my life. I thought Amber was beautiful and kind-hearted, but it turns out she’s just as filthy-minded.”

“Yeah, no kidding. Look at the surveillance. When Mr. Farrell’s sister fell ill, Miss Amber was right there, just watching coldly. But Miss Tina saw the commotion and immediately went to help the girl, without hesitation, calm and composed, unlike… But, Miss Ensford? How did she even get that title? I’m starting to wonder if she spread it herself.”

“That’s not even the worst part. The fact that she refused to return the gratitude gift after the fact is just disgusting.”

Amber’s face burned with each word from the crowd. And Elena, standing next to her, was so embarrassed she wished she could crawl into a hole. How could she have known that it wasn’t Amber who saved Jared’s sister? In her eyes, Amber had always been a graceful and considerate girl, proud to call her a friend. But now…

Velma, overhearing the murmurs, tilted her jaw slightly and said to the gossipers, “There’s more than what you’ve said. Amber claims Miss Tina stole her fiance, but I heard that the one engaged to the Farrell family is the Reed family’s first daughter. Even if she weren’t adopted, she’d have nothing to do with the first daughter.”

Velma’s gaze shifted to Jared and asked, “Since Mr. Farrell is here, why don’t you tell us, was it really Miss Tina who stole you away?”

Tina and Sophia stood aside, enjoying the spectacle. Hearing Velma’s words, Tina’s slender brows lifted almost imperceptibly. This Velma was interesting.

Jared glanced at Tina, seeing her indifferent attitude and barely concealed a smirk before he drew back his gaze and spoke slowly, “The one engaged to me is Miss Tina Reed.”

Tina’s eyes landed on him, her lips curving slightly with a hint of nonchalance, “Indeed.”

Velma scoffed, her eyes filled with scorn as she looked at Amber, “This is interesting, Miss Amber Adopted Reed? You’re not engaged to him, so how did the rumor about Miss Tina stealing your fiance come about?”

“Shut up!” Amber glared at her furiously, wishingshe could tear her apart. Velma shrugged her shoulders and ignored Amber. She enjoyed seeing Amber upset. The angrier Amber got, the better Velma felt.

Amber turned her attention away from Velma and looked at Jared with a look of grievance, “Mr. Farrell, how could you say such a thing? It was your family who proposed the engagement to me.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Inside, her anger boiled. That worthless cripple! Why would he say such a thing? Did he want to embarrass her even more? Elizabeth, too, found it difficult to maintain her composure, but with everyone’s eyes on her, she didn’t know what to say.

Jared raised an eyebrow, “So, you’re willing to marry me?”

“I…” Amber bit her lip hard, refusing to speak. To be tied to a cripple for life was worse than death to her. But now, she was speechless.

“Pity, even if you wanted to marry, I would never take you!” Jared’s gaze withdrew as he spoke indifferently, “The Farrell family has no place for someone without virtue or decency!”

“You!” Amber felt a surge of blood rush to her head, and if she wasn’t careful, the King of Hell would take her away. This damned cripple! Useless! What was he saying? Accusing her of being without virtue or decency? What right did he have to say that about her?

“Pfft!” Tina couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the scene.

Amber’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, fury filling her eyes. Finally, she couldn’t hold back any longer, casting aside any concern for her image, “Mr. Farrell! You’re being too much!”

Step by step, she approached Jared, seething, “I studied medicine, I’ve saved lives, I just can’t remember which day it was you came to my house to thank me for saving your sister at the mall. I thought you were talking about the person I saved. If Mr. Farrell doubts that I took credit for Tina’s deed, I’ll bring that girl to you tomorrow to prove it!”

“As for your gratitude gift, I never intended to keep it. I’ve already given it to my mentor. If you’re in such a hurry, I can go to Dr. Ward right now and ask for it. This misunderstanding is not something I wanted, but why are you being so aggressive?”

Jared’s eyes lifted slightly, and without even looking at her, he said flatly, “Oh? I have Dr. Ward’s number, why don’t we call him to bring it over?”