Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Sitting beside Grandpa Brookes, Rachel bit her lip in frustration. Was Brandon being too obvious? It was as if he was telling everyone that he didn't value her at all. It was too much, truly excessive! Rachel took a few deep breaths and, with a smile to Tina, said, "Tina, I came in such a hurry that I didn't bring you any gifts. Why don't we go shopping later, and you can pick out whatever you like-I'll buy it for you."

"No need, I don't lack anything," Tina replied, not wanting to get too involved with Rachel for some reason. She always felt that Rachel was different from other members of the Brookes family, and it wasn't just because Rachel was adopted; Tina simply felt uncomfortable around her. It was probably what they call incompatible auras.

Rachel stepped forward, eagerly grabbing Tina's hand again, "Tina, don't be shy with me. Even if you have everything, one more won't hurt. We girls need to spoil ourselves, right, Scarlett?" Scarlett looked up, "Yes, the more the merrier. I'll come along; my closet could do with more."

Jack coughed, glancing at the pile of unopened clothes near Scarlett. Indeed, the more the merrier.

Rachel forced a laugh, but since Scarlett had spoken up, she couldn't very well refuse. "Alright, let's all go together." Though she appeared eager, Rachel felt quite stifled inside.

What was Scarlett implying? Did she feel it unsafe for Tina to go out alone with her? How ridiculous, she, a daughter-in-law, was really acting as if she were a true member of the Brookes family! Seeing that Scarlett had also spoken, Tina no longer refused.

Jared picked up the car keys, "Happy to serve the ladies today; I'll be the driver."

"Thanks," Rachel said with a smile.

After Tina finished checking on Grandpa Brookes, they set out for shopping.

Brandon stood in the yard, turning off the oven, "Jack, you better watch your wife; she's likely to blow up our house."

"If it blows up, we'll just buy another," Jack muttered as he also turned off the whipped cream machine.

Grandpa Brookes looked at his sons, "You two, be nicer to Rachel. You made her very uncomfortable just now. You're her brothers; don't be so harsh."

Brandon tugged at his ear, "Dad, speaking of Rachel, there's something I need to tell you."Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.

"Go on."

"She's been secretly investigating your will, and also, when Angela had the paternity test done, someone tampered with it. Only Rachel had contacted Angela at that time. I suspect it was her doing, but we just don't have the evidence yet." Grandpa Brookes furrowed his brow slightly, leaning forward with a flash of shock in his eyes. However, what shocked him was not so much that Rachel might have tampered with the will, but that the paternity test might have been falsified! Grandpa Brookes grew agitated and began to cough. Jack quickly came to comfort him, "Dad, don't get too worked up. Brandon also said we don't have proof it was Rachel; we're still investigating." Grandpa Brookes grasped Jack's hand, calming down, "Does that mean, Tina might actually be my biological granddaughter?"

Brandon knelt down, looking up at his father, "Yes, I felt it the moment I saw Tina; she must be my niece. Dad, it's not just you who feels this way, so I'm even more suspicious of the paternity test."

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Jack nodded, "Right, Dad, do you think we should redo the paternity test?"

Grandpa Brookes pondered for a moment, "Yes, redo it, but not through the family. Do it quietly in Ashbury, and don't even tell Scarlett." Since there were issues within the family, it might be better not to go through them.

Jack responded, "Alright, I'll go now."

Brandon stayed with Grandpa Brookes at home, yet his mind was uneasy.

They had grown up with Rachel, and though they weren't particularly fond of their sister, he knew well what she was capable of.

Brandon always felt that someone else must be helping Rachel behind the scenes. Soon after, Jack returned in his car, having rushed a paternity test, now holding a sample from Tina. However, when the results came out, they were disappointing.

"Dad, the results are the same," Jack handed the report to Grandpa Brookes, his eyes flashing with regret. Brandon was shocked, "Impossible, Rachel clearly tampered with it..."

"Scarlett, I watched over it myself in the lab this time, from the start of the test to the results, I never left, and nobody tampered with anything," Jack emphasized.

Grandpa Brookes visibly disappointed, took a deep breath. "Let it be, if it's not meant to be, then don't force it," Grandpa Brookes said, turning his wheelchair, "You two scamps go play, I need to rest."

Both Jack and Brandon knew Grandpa Brookes's heart was once again shattered. "Brandon, are you sure about the truth you uncovered? Did Rachel really tamper with it?" Jack couldn't help questioning Brandon.

Brandon slapped Jack on the head, "When have I ever been wrong? I'm telling you, there's something wrong here." Jack didn't argue further and followed Brandon.

Jack felt sorry that Tina was not his biological niece, but he had already embraced her as his own family. The so-called paternity test didn't really matter. Whether biologically related or not, it didn't interfere with their relationship with Tina. Whether as a commitment or through love for the family, Jack and the Brookes family would truly care for Tina.

Brandon burned the paternity test certificate that showed no biological relationship, staring intently at it. He didn't believe it. Tina had to be his biological niece. Alina, before she disappeared, had been closest to Brandon. So when Tina appeared, Brandon was certain she was his sister's child! But where did it go wrong? Why were the paternity tests not true?

At the mall, Tina didn't hesitate to pick up things she liked, and Rachel, there to show goodwill, naturally paid for them. By the end, Jared could hardly carry all the packages. Rachel, though wealthy, wasn't exactly happy to spend so freely on Tina.

Scarlett, too, did nothing but help load Tina with items; in her eyes, there was nothing Tina didn't need! "It's noon, let's go grab something to eat," Rachel suggested.

Tina, feeling a bit hungry, didn't refuse. They went to a restaurant in the mall. While Scarlett headed to the restroom and Jared stepped outside to take a call, Rachel finally had the chance to be alone with Tina.

"Tina, see if there's anything else you'd like to eat," Rachel said, wiping the plate, smiling at Tina. "This is enough," Tina smiled back, somewhat distantly.

Rachel took a sip of tea, pondered a moment, and then said, "Tina, don't be reserved around me. I understand how you feel; after all, I too was adopted by the Brookes family. Being non-biological is different, but it doesn't matter, my dad has always been good to me, treating me as his own daughter. He never mentions his concern for Alina in front of me, and I am very touched by that."

"My dad often says that I am the only daughter in the Brookes family, and must be well-cared for. Tina, you are the same, just relax."