Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Tina had ceased to engage further, and after performing a series of checks on Natalie, she accompanied her into the operating room. Inside, Natalie was connected to numerous monitoring devices, all of which showed normal readings at the moment.

Natalie lay on the operating table, looking at her daughter in front of her, "Tina, it's all up to you now."

With the arrow poised on the string, Tina was not one to shy away. Having come this far and ready to start the surgery, all hesitations and concerns had vanished. What remained was Tina's resolute determination to restore Natalie's health. She hugged her mother, whispering into her ear as gently as when she was a child and Natalie would soothe her to sleep.

"Mom, have a good sleep, and when you wake up, we'll go have hotpot."

The operating room lights were bright. Outside, Wraith was monitoring Natalie's condition with precision. Jared sat outside, composed, seated in a chair. Yet only he knew the extent of his unease-unease for his master's condition and for the pressure on Tina.

Outside the YQ lab, Angela remained vigilant at the door, sitting on her motorcycle, holding ingredients for Natalie's favorite hotpot. A breeze blew, partially obscuring her face.

At the Brookes family home, Brandon was in the yard stacking blocks with Kiki and Mimi, building them up and knocking them down, again and again. Inside the study, Ian repeatedly flipped through an album of Natalie's photos from before she turned ten. The thick album was about twenty centimeters deep, but many pages were empty, marking the over thirty years Natalie had been away from the Brookes family. It wasn't until her return that more recent photos began to fill the later pages.

Ian looked at each photo, turning them one by one, praying repeatedly in his heart.

A day and night passed. Jared's back was alternately soaked with sweat and then dried, and Angela's hotpot ingredients became inedible. Brandon's blocks were worn shiny, and Ian still clutched the album, unable to sleep.

In the operating room, Tina stitched the final suture and wiped the blood from Natalie's face. She pressed the button to signal the end of the surgery, and Wraith was the first to enter.

"How did it go? All vital signs are normal, except for a slight tearing reaction when the ST-1 was introduced, everything went well, didn't it? Was it a success?" Tina didn't respond but pushed Natalie out of the room.

When the doors of the operating room opened, Jared hurried forward. He didn't speak, only looked deeply at Tina's expression. They all silently pushed Natalie into the ICU.

Wraith looked perplexed. The operation had been successful, and there was no rejection reaction, so why the grim faces?

After settling Natalie in the ICU, Tina finally pulled off her mask. She took out her phone and called Brandon, Ian, and Angela.

"The surgery was successful, but when mom will wake up depends on her willpower."

The surgery went very smoothly, and the brain repair was very successful, and the ST-1 introduced into Natalie's body did not cause any rejection reactions.

Everything was well. However, Tina discovered that Natalie's nervous system seemed to have a severe reaction to the ST-1, causing her to fall into a deep coma, indistinguishable from a vegetative state. Natalie was unable to sense any external stimuli.

It was as if she had locked herself in a space that belonged solely to her, like she was caught in her own nightmare. If she could wake up in time, she would have successfully weathered the ordeal. If not...

Tina sighed and adjusted the drip rate of Natalie's IV, "Get someone from the hospital here. The lab is too far from the city, I can't get there quickly."

"Okay, it's been arranged. The hospital is sending their people now," Jared said as he ruffled Tina's hair.

"Tina, thank you for your hard work."

The hospital's vehicle soon took Natalie away, placing her in the highest level of intensive care. Before she woke up, members of the Mountain Veil Order took turns guarding her to ensure her absolute safety. Angela, not reassured, came to take care of her personally. This was also the first formal meeting between Tina and Angela.

Angela was just as Tina had imagined her: cool, quiet, and reserved.

"Angela," Tina greeted.

Angela softly patted Tina's head as a greeting, "Hello Tina."

Tina laughed, remembering that Natalie had once said Angela wasn't very good at socializing. Even after witnessing Kiki and Mimi's births, she only patted heads and said hello, because she was unsure if she might hurt the children. Now facing Tina, she was just as cautious, daring only to gently tap her forehead as if fearful of harming something precious.

Tina then hugged Angela, feeling the stiffness in her body. Angela remained rigid for a while before relaxing and returning the hug like she had with Natalie before.

"You're very beautiful, just like Alina."

The two smiled at each other, like old friends who had known each other for a long time. Some bonds are not about blood.

Jared stepped aside, not wanting to intrude. He thought that at such a moment, whether it was Tina, Natalie, or Angela, none of them would want to be disturbed.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Leaving the room, Jared received a call from Nathan.

"Trouble, Mr. Farrell, Joshua has been transferred by Grace, and they are on the move now. The station just received the notification!"

Jared's brow furrowed.

"Grace no longer has privileges at X Bureau. How can she still transfer a high-profile prisoner?"

"She used the headquarters' authority to move him, claiming your recent visit violated regulations. She's taking Joshua to a high-security prison that cannot be visited. It's been approved by the headquarters." Jared clenched his phone tightly.

"I understand."

On a suburban dirt road, an armored vehicle was driving. Inside, Joshua, shackled and monitored by a body scanner, was guarded by three X Bureau special operatives.

Suddenly, the deserted road kicked up dust, forcing the armored vehicle carrying Joshua to stop.

The operatives surrounded Joshua, watchfully scanning ahead as the dust settled. A sleek black Bentley blocked the road, its occupant a distinguished-looking man in casual black attire, wearing sunglasses and holding a pistol. He walked towards the armored vehicle.

None of the operatives or the driver made a move.

The man skillfully opened the rear door of the armored vehicle, pointed his pistol at the lock on Joshua's waist chain, and spoke in a chillingly calm voice, "Unlock it, or I'll shoot."