Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 837: What's Your Relationship with Tracey? Victor shot to his feet as soon as he heard Ozan Bailey speak, his face twisted in rage. He glared at Ozan and barked, "Nonsense! Do you even realize the consequences of what you're saying?" Tina, calm and unhurried, raised her gaze and spoke coolly, "What's the matter? Threatening a witness right in front of the judge now?" "You-!" Victor was livid, glaring at Tina, his words stuck in his throat. Before he could respond, Ozan Bailey declared each word with deliberate clarity, "Everything I've said is the truth. If there's a single lie, I'm willing to bear the legal consequences!" Victor tried to argue, but the judge interrupted him with a sharp rap of the gavel. "The court will now deliver its verdict!" As the judge's voice fell, the courtroom doors were suddenly pushed open.

Ruud strode in, leading a team of armed men. He bowed slightly to the judge and presented an official document. "By higher command, I am taking over the case of Luke Gill and Victor Bailey." The courtroom erupted in chaos.

For the first tin this court's history, the defendants were being taken away during the final moments of a trial. The livestream audience was equally stunned, flooding the chat with comments: - "Who is this guy? How powerful must he be to interrupt a trial like this?" - "Yeah, and from the way he's acting, it seems like he's protecting those two?" - "You guys don't understand. That's General Praevion of Sinoria. He's spent years on the battlefield defending the nation. He's not just a government official; he's a hero to the people. He's dedicated his life to protecting the country-so much so that he's never even married." - "But why would someone like that defend criminals? Isn't this unfair to those who've worked hard to expose the truth?" - "Exactly! Mr. Dyer suffered so much and finally got a chance to clear his name. Now General Praevion shows up and ruins everything?" - "Maybe Luke Gill and Victor are innocent?" - "Are you kidding? The evidence against them is rock solid." - "I don't get it either. Let's just wait and see." The judge himself looked bewildered. He took the document from Ruud's hand and confirmed its authenticity. Though this intervention was highly irregular, it was a direct order from a superior. And with General Praevion personally involved, the judge had no choice but to comply.

Reluctantly, he returned the document and struck his gavel again. "Court is adjourned! The trial will be rescheduled." Since the trial was still in progress, it couldn't officially end without a final ruling. Regardless of what Ruud's investigation uncovered, Luke Gill and Victor would eventually have to return to face judgment.

With the judge's announcement, the court staff began leave. Soon, only the jury, the plaintiffs, the defendants, and Ruud's team remained in the room.

Tina and Jared stood off to the side, their eyes cold and their presence radiating hostility. They had cso far, just one step away from exposing the real culprits. And now, at the critical moment, Ruud appeared! Tina abruptly stood and marched toward Ruud, her expression icy. Stopping directly in front of him, she said firmly, "You cannot take them." Since entering the room, Ruud had been searching for Jared and Tina, especially Tina. He had heard numerous stories about her, none of them flattering. As a result, his initial impression of her was less than favorable.

He had cto see for himself what kind of woman could disrupt the plans he had carefully laid for so long. If not for Tina, he would have already closed theon his operation. Now, he was forced to cast a new one. His gaze was fixed on Jared when a figure suddenly appeared before him and, with an authoritative tone, dared to order him not to take Luke Gill and Victor.

Ha! No one had ever spoken to him like this.

"Hmph! I don't need you to tellhow to..." Ruud's voice trailed off as he raised his eyes to meet hers. He froze, staring at Tina in disbelief. That face... He grabbed her arm suddenly. "Tracey? Is it you?" Tina frowned and twisted free of his grip with a burst of strength, her voice as cold as ice. "So, the great General Praevion is nothing but a hypocrite?" Ruud blinked, stunned. "Tracey, what are you talking about?" "You're a General Praevion, yet you need to be reminded not to take what doesn't belong to you? Luke Gill and Victor are bait I've spent months setting up. And you've ruined all that hard work in an instant!" Tina's face was expressionless as she stared at him. "You know exactly who Jared and I are. As General Praevion, you should know that whatever your intentions are, you cannot take them from me!" At this moment, Jared stepped forward and positioned himself protectively in front of Tina. His sharp gaze locked onto Ruud. "General Praevion, laying a hand on my wife-do you really think I'm just for show?" Ruud was still reeling from what Tina had said. Hearing Jared's words, he froze again. "Your... wife?" Suddenly, something clicked in his mind. He turned to Tina abruptly. "You're Tina?" Tina's brow furrowed. "Is this your first day learning about me? My file should have been on your desk ages ago." Ruud was speechless.

Of course, he had gone through Tina's files before. But none of them had included a photo! Although many in Ashbury knew Tina, pictures of her were extremely rare. Even when she had trended online, any photos of her had quickly disappeared. The few that remained were either side profiles or too vague to discern her face. His impression of Tina had been limited to the incomplete reports his subordinates provided. Now, seeing her in person, he was utterly shocked.

The resemblance...

It was uncanny.

Why did Tina look so much like Tracey? Wasn't her mother supposed to be Natalie? Could it be...? Ruud abruptly asked, "What's your relationship with Tracey?"

Tina's expression darkened. "Are you sleep-deprived? Doesn't the file you have say I don't have anyone named Tracey in my life?"

Though Tina was usually good at controlling her temper, Ruud inexplicably irritated her. Everything about him seemed wrong. To her the man hailed as an invincible General PFaevion looked more like a petty thief who stole others' hard work. Ruud didn't reply, still processing the resemblance he couldn't ignore. His earlier negative impressions of Tina had vanished. Now, he even found her sharp tongue somewhat amusing. He cleared his throat to dispel the awkward silence. "You don't know Tracey?" he pressed.

Tina shot him a look-one that screamed "Are you an idiot?" Ruud coughed again, suppressing his embarrassment. "I just wanted to ask... Do you have a photo of your mother?"

Everyone in the courtroom stared at him, baffled. The once-imposing General Praevion was now asking for En a photo of Tina's mother? Tina's face grew colder, her voice sharp as a blade. "My mother wouldn't even look at you!" Ruud froze.

This girl's words were brutal-every sentence hitting him right where it hurt.