Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 904: The Troublemaker Strikes Again When Alina spoke, her eyes sparkled with amusement.

She set down her pen and stood up, taking a few steps forward to personally greet Poppy. After all, the little one was still very small.

Poppy toddled toward her, his tiny legs moving quickly. He wore a British-style outfit-a sea-blue striped buttoned shirt paired with navy shorts. The look was both vintage and fashionable.

In his arms, he carried a bundle of over a dozen vibrant roses. Each bloom was fresh and fragrant, their petals full and radiant.

Since his small hands couldn't hold all the roses at once, Poppy had been hugging them tightly with both arms on his way over. Now, with his head tilted up and excitement shining in his eyes, he exclaimed, "Alina, look at the roses I brought for you!" Seeing the flowers, a wave of joy swept over Alina. Her face lit up with a smile as she beamed, "These don't look store-bought. They seem freshly cut, so vibrant!" Poppy's soft voice chimed in, "They're from our garden. I asked the servants to cut them just for you!" Alina's happiness deepened. She took Poppy's hand and guided him to find a clear glass vase. Filling it with water, she carefully arranged the roses inside.

Ruud, who had been observing the scene, also found the roses delightful. With a cheerful laugh, he remarked, "This little one is so attached to Alina. What a charming child." Sitting on the sofa, Tina raised an eyebrow. She had also seen Poppy and his mother interact at the last banquet and now seemed lost in thought.

Alina gently pulled Poppy toward Tina, her voice soft and kind. "This is my daughter, Tina." Tina's expression froze.

The relationship here was... complicated.

River was about the sage as Alina.

Poppy, on the other hand, was River's younger brother.

By conventional standards, Poppy should be addressing Alina differently. But Tina was more than ten years older than Poppy...

Tina's mouth twitched slightly. The situation was-bizarre.

"Hello, Tina..." Poppy finally greeted her timidly.

Tina gazed at Poppy thoughtfully and responded in a warm tone, "Hello." Alina crouched down to face Poppy and asked, "Are you here alone?" Only then did Poppy remember that someone was still waiting for him outside. Ever since he had entered and seen Alina, he had nearly forgotten about the others. River, standing outside, could only sigh inwardly.

You're really the best little brother.

Poppy's soft, sweet voice explained, "Alina, my sister and two servants are waiting outside." Hearing this, Tina raised an eyebrow. "The sRiver who accompanied you last time?" Poppy obediently nodded.

Ruud frowned deeply upon hearing this. While tying a ribbon, he muttered in a low, displeased tone, "Didn't I make it clear that she's not allowed in the Pace family again?" Alina tugged lightly at his arm, signaling him to hold his tongue in front of the child.

Alina's expression brightened. "Since she's here, let her in. The two servants taking care of Poppy can cin as well." River hurriedly walked in, her face dark with frustration, her fingers clenched tightly.

As she entered the house, her steps slowed, and her demeanor shifted. Her stride becgraceful, her posture poised, and she wore a faint, polite smile.

"Ruud..." she greeted softly as her eyes scanned the room.

Ruud was focused on sealing invitations with red wax, meticulously tying ribbons.

River recognized them immediately-they were wedding invitations. A shadow passed over her eyes, and her expression darkened.

When Ruud saw her, his immediate reaction was to frown. His tone was cold and distant. "What are you doing here?" Every the heard her voice, his skin crawled.

There was nothing inherently wrong with the way she addressed him-most people around him called him the same.

But coming from River, it felt unbearable.

River's face flushed with embarrassment at his hostility. Still, she swallowed her pride. She couldn't afford to let Alina and Ruud get married.

Tears welled up in her eyes, sparkling as they fell. Her voice softened, tinged with sorrow. "Ruud, I was wrong about the banquet. I misjudged Luna and should never have let her provokeinto targeting Miss Brookes. I ruined the event and upset everyone. It was my fault." Turning to Alina, she took her hand and put on a remorseful expression. "Alina, I'm here on behalf of the Swanson family to apologize. I hope we can put the past behind us." Alina's smile remained, but it was distant, almost perfunctory. "Find a seat. I'll have someone bring tea and refreshments." She neither forgave nor condemned her.

But River immediately interpreted this as forgiveness.

Instead of sitting down, she turned her gaze to Ruud, her eyes brimming with emotion. "Ruud, Alina has forgivenfor my foolishness. Can't you also..." Ruud's sharp, handsface remained impassive. His attention was entirely on the invitations. His voice was cold. "You wronged Alina, not me. What does it have to do with me?" With that, he cast her an icy glance before returning to his task.

River's face turned pale. Awkward, she quickly found a seat and called for Poppy to cover her embarrassment.

When the servants brought tea and pastries, River picked up a piece and took a delicate bite. The soft pastry e melted in her mouth. She then m offered a bite to Poppy, who obediently took a small nibble, his tiny teeth gently biting into it. "Miss River," one of Poppy's personal servants interjected, "any food given to the young master must be inspected first." River's face darkened, and her tone grew cold. "I just ate it myself. What could possibly be wrong with it? Don't you trust me? Besides, this is the Pace family. Why make it as rigid as the Swanson family? It'll only make people think we're unkind." The two servants exchanged uneasy glances.

If anything happened to the young master, they wouldn't be able to answer to the Swanson family.

Alina waved her hand lightly, her tone breezy. "The Pace family isn't overly strict about such things but you should still you your job. Inspect it if you must. The little one's safety is the priority." River's face twitched.

Alina's words felt like a slap. She cacross as less understanding than Alina, even making things difficult for her own servants.

Grateful, the two servants quickly used their tools to inspect the food. Once they confirmed it was safe, Poppy happily finished his bite.

After eating, Poppy clung to Alina affectionately, grabbing the hem of her dress and wandering around her, his curious eyes darting everywhere.

Noticing she only had ten more invitations left to write, Alina gently picked up the little one. Afraid hen might grow bored, she said softly, "Why don't I take you on a little tour of the Pace family house?" Poppy, being just five years old, was too young to venture far. Though Alina wanted to bring him outside to play, she was currently in the eye of the storm. Taking the little one out wouldn't be safe.

For now, she decided to show him around the Pace family estate-a small gesture of hospitality.