Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Police Captain Frank Gill kept a stern face as he listened to the conversation come to a halt. Then, he spoke firmly.

"We've already understood the situation. If the investigation yields results, we'll notify you immediately. Rest assured, we won't let any criminal go unpunished." "My father-in-law is not a criminal!"

Elsa, unable to hold back any longer, broke free from Tina's grasp and stormed forward.

Frank's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise when he saw her. "Elsa? Why are you here? Did my brother tell you about this?"

Tina and Jared exchanged a quick glance.

Brother?

Austin didn't have a brother. Who was this person, and why would he say that?

Elsa hadn't expected to see someone familiar. The anger on her face paused briefly before returning in full force.

Her cold gaze landed on Frank, and she let out a mocking laugh. "So it's you. I didn't expect this. After all these years, you've climbed to the rank of captain. It seems the Bailey family really does trust their son-in-law." Frank frowned and replied coldly, "My career has nothing to do with my brother-in-law."

"Whether it does or not is irrelevant to me," Elsa snapped. Her voice was icy. "From the moment your Gill family helped destroy the Dyer family, we've been sworn enemies!"

She paused, suppressing the hatred in her tone. "And I'm not here for a reunion. My father-in-law is innocent. Pippa Ogden's suicide has nothing to do with him!"

Frank's eyes flickered briefly. He opened his mouth, wanting to clarify that he wasn't in charge of the case, but before he could speak, Mrs. Ogden stepped forward with a sharp glare.

"You say it has nothing to do with him? Just because you're his daughter-in-law, you think you can cover for him? Do you think we'd falsely accuse him for no reason? That old scumbag! If it weren't for the fact that Pippa wasn't seriously harmed back then, I would've sent him to prison years ago!"

Mrs. Ogden's voice cracked as she cried bitterly. "My daughter was such a bright girl. She was about to graduate from college this year. If it weren't for what happened back then, if it weren't for that old man giving her depression, how could she have taken her own life?"

Mr. Powell, standing nearby, chimed in, his gaze shifting between Elsa and Frank.

"That's right! Joseph Dyers has always been a terrible person, Captain Gill. You can't let your connection to his daughter-in-law cloud your judgment!"

Halfway through his tirade, Mr. Powell suddenly remembered Carl's earlier instructions.

His tone hardened. "In fact, Captain Gill, you're not even the one who arrested Joseph Dyers. I demand that the deputy captain handle this case. He's the one responsible. Why is the station pushing this onto you? I want to see the deputy captain!"

Tina's calm yet sharp gaze fell on Mr. Powell. Her voice was icy as she spoke.

"Are you seriously trying to dictate who should handle this case? Should I just decide the verdict for you right now?"

"And who are you?" Mr. Powell snapped, his beady eyes lighting up as he finally noticed Tina.

His lecherous gaze roamed over her, a smirk creeping onto his face.

Before he could say another word, Jared stepped forward, his cold eyes narrowing dangerously.

In one swift motion, he blocked Tina from Mr. Powell's view, his tall frame radiating an almost suffocating chill. His long fingers jabbed directly at Mr. Powell's face. "Eyes are a precious thing," Jared said, his low voice like shards of ice. "If you don't want them, I'll gladly take them for you."

Even though the wave of cold hostility wasn't directed at her, Mrs. Ogden shivered involuntarily.

As for Mr. Powell, rooted at the center of the storm, his legs nearly buckled. If it weren't for the counter he was gripping for support, he would've collapsed to the floor. Who were these people?

Even the Langdon family hadn't warned him that Joseph Dyers had connections to someone this terrifying.

"Mr. Farrell?"

Frank Gill, standing off to the side, finally spoke. He gave Jared a sidelong glance, his expression stiffening when he got a good look at the man's face.

As a member of the Gill family, he wasn't so ignorant as to not recognize Jared Farrell.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Frank's usually composed demeanor faltered briefly before he recovered. His voice was calm as he asked, "Mr. Farrell, what's your connection to Elsa?"

Jared's dark eyes lowered as if searching for some memory. "You know me?"

Frank nodded. "I once had the honor of attending a Farrell family banquet with my family. However, at the time, Mr. Farrell, you were occupied with your fiancée and didn't notice me."

He shifted his gaze to Tina. "And this must be Miss Reed, Mr. Farrell's fiancée."

Tina didn't respond but gave Frank a measured look. Despite his family ties, he seemed upright and principled-a rare quality in these circles.

Finally, Tina spoke, her voice calm yet resolute. "We're here to take Joseph Dyers."

It wasn't a request. It was a statement of intent.

Frank frowned. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. We have rules and procedures to follow."

Tina's lips curved into a cold smile. "Rules and procedures? Do you have evidence?"

Before Frank could answer, Mr. Powell interjected.

"Who says we don't have evidence? Mrs. Ogden, show them Pippa's medical diagnosis for depression. Let's see if they still dare to deny it!"

Mrs. Ogden hesitated briefly before rummaging through her black handbag. She pulled out two crumpled sheets of paper and held them up with trembling hands.

"My daughter has been suffering from severe depression since high school. She only started getting better in recent years. If it weren't for seeing your wretched father-in-law, how could her condition relapse?"

She turned to Frank, her voice trembling with emotion. "Officer, you must help me get justice!"

Tina glanced at the papers, her expression indifferent. She flipped through them casually before letting out a soft scoff.

"If she's been suffering from severe depression, then self-harm tendencies are part of the condition. What proof do you have that seeing Mr. Dyers caused her relapse? If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Dyers hasn't left the house all day." Her sharp gaze swept over both Mr. Powell and Mrs. Ogden, freezing them in place. Their eyes darted nervously, unable to meet hers.

"Are you suggesting that your daughter saw Mr. Dyers at the Dyer family home?"

The two stammered, unable to form a coherent response. The plan had been hastily thrown together, and they hadn't had time to fabricate proper evidence.

As they floundered, a clear voice echoed from the back of the station.

Everyone turned to see a young woman walking slowly down the hallway, flanked by a police officer. Each of them supported one of the two elderly figures struggling to walk beside them. "Dad! Mom!"

Under the harsh fluorescent lights of the police station, Elsa finally saw them clearly. Her breath hitched as tears spilled from her eyes.

She rushed forward, her steps quick and desperate.

The two elders, Joseph and Hannah Dyers, were pale and trembling. Their lips were bluish, and their thin summer clothing barely covered the bruises and swelling on their frail bodies. They looked utterly drained, unable to even muster the strength to speak. Their fingers, lips, and legs all quivered uncontrollably.

The light in their once-brilliant eyes was gone, replaced by a vacant, lifeless stare.

Hearing Elsa's voice, Joseph mechanically turned his head, his cloudy eyes straining to focus. He opened his mouth to speak, but his dry, cracked lips barely parted before his knees buckled. With a sickening thud, his frail body collapsed to the ground.