Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

As the twilight deepened, the crimson glow of the setting sun poured through the window, casting a red tint on River's face. She sat before her computer, her gaze sharp and venomous, as if laced with poison. Her once gentle features twisted with malice, growing increasingly sinister.

She scrolled through the audio file she had personally uploaded online, a file that had sparked a storm of outrage. The internet was ablaze with calls for Alina to leave Sinoria, with countless voices demanding that she be forbidden from marrying Ruud. A wicked grin stretched across River's lips, wide and exaggerated.

Her eyes gleamed with a manic excitement. Next, she planned to upload a video from the Pace family that would stir even greater fury. She imagined the chaos when netizens stormed Ruud and Alina's wedding tomorrow. How could the two of them possibly get married then?noveldrama

The thought thrilled her. With trembling hands, she opened her computer and uploaded the edited and doctored video she had prepared in advance.

The video showed a moment of River falling into the water while picking lotus flowers.

With a loud splash, River fell into the lake, screaming desperately for help. The video then cut to Alina standing nearby, completely indifferent to her cries.

The footage transitioned to five-year-old Poppy, who frantically extended a bamboo pole toward River to pull her out of the water. Yet Alina remained motionless on the side, watching the scene unfold with amusement.

In the hospital room that followed, River sobbed uncontrollably, questioning Alina about why she had done such a thing.

Alina's face showed nothing but disdain. Her reply was curt: "Because I felt like it."

It didn't take long for the video to go viral. Furious netizens flooded the post with comments, their outrage spilling over:

- "First the audio, now the video-this is undeniable proof!"

- "What kind of person is she? She doesn't value human life at all!"

- "A woman like this dares to marry General Praevion? I swear I'll bring a knife to the wedding tomorrow!"

- "She stood there while a child tried to save someone! Her heart is pure evil!"

- "Watching this video gave me chills. Is this how someone who claims to be an all-rounder treats human lives?"

- "I demand the police arrest her! Lock her up forever and throw away the key!"

- "Who recorded this audio and video? I bet it was someone in the Pace family who couldn't stand her wickedness anymore."

River let out a long, chilling laugh, her voice echoing with malice. Her eyes sparkled with hatred as she basked in the satisfaction of her revenge.

"Alina, this is what happens when you try to take Ruud from me!" she sneered.

"I'll ruin your reputation until you're nothing but a rat in the gutter, despised by all. When people think of General Praevion, you'll be the stain on his name! Your mere existence will bring him shame. You'll never deserve him!" A soft knock came from the door. River's tone lifted with satisfaction. "Come in!"

Kaleigh entered, her delicate face blooming like a flower. Her eyes sparkled with mirth, and her gentle voice carried a teasing lilt. "Congratulations. Looks like taking Poppy along worked out perfectly!"

River stood and took Kaleigh's hand, unable to hide her smugness. "It's all thanks to your advice. Without it, I wouldn't have succeeded so smoothly! You deserve the credit."

Kaleigh covered her lips with a chuckle. "Seeing your goals about to be realized, I'll offer my early congratulations."

River smiled knowingly. "Don't worry, I won't forget your contribution."

Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang sharply.

Glancing at the caller ID, which she had set with a special note, River's expression shifted knowingly. She smiled apologetically at Kaleigh. "I have a call to take. We'll catch up another day. Let me treat you to a shopping trip-pick out anything you like."

Kaleigh, ever perceptive, instantly understood the importance of this call. She nodded and gracefully excused herself, leaving the room.

River answered the call, her face lit with delight as she scrolled through the relentless stream of comments online, most of them cursing Alina.

"How does it feel, basking in your triumph? By tomorrow, my brother and Alina might not even get married," Boris's voice came from the other end of the line.

River chuckled. "Boris, I haven't forgotten how much I owe you. But tell me, do you have any way to ensure their wedding doesn't happen at all?"

The word "might" caught her attention. She needed certainty, not possibilities.

Boris despised Alina just as much as River did. To keep her out of the Pace family, he was willing to help. All they needed now was the final straw to break the camel's back.

His voice was low and deliberate. "I do have a way to guarantee Ruud and Alina won't get married tomorrow. I have something in my possession, but we need to discuss it in person."

River didn't hesitate. She replied, "Fine. If it weren't for the recording equipment and editing software you provided, Alina wouldn't be in this satisfying position today."

"Where should we meet? Send me the address."

With a single word of agreement, Boris hung up.

The two arranged to meet in a private room, chosen for its high level of confidentiality.

When River arrived, her guard lowered slightly.

Boris had disguised himself thoroughly, wearing a mask and hat to cover his features.

River frowned at his appearance. "Boris, why are you dressed like this? Are you trying to keep something from me?"

Boris chuckled lightly, clearly amused. "You're overthinking. I'm not guarding against you-I'm guarding against the Pace family."

"Ever since you exposed those fake audio and video clips to frame Alina, the Pace family has been on high alert. If anyone sees me meeting with you, my brother will be the first to come after me." River tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table. "Fair enough. I have to admit, you're cleverer than I thought."

Boris laughed faintly before asking, "Did you bring the original recordings and video files I asked for?"

River's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but she quickly masked her hesitation with a smile. "I brought them. But why do you need them?"

Boris's expression turned serious. "That's why I wanted to meet. Right now, Alina has no way to prove the truth. Your original files could be used for something even bigger."

"What do you mean?" River asked, her voice cautious.

"If we use your original files to fabricate evidence of Alina committing murder, imagine what would happen," Boris said calmly, sipping his tea. His lashes fluttered as his grip on the cup tightened.

Even Boris himself found the idea far-fetched. Creating audio evidence was one thing, but how could they produce a convincing video? The best they could hope for was to get Alina detained for a few days before being released. But River's eyes lit up with excitement. She exclaimed, "You're right! Why didn't I think of this? If Alina is accused of murder and taken away by the police, she'll never be able to marry Ruud!"

"The Pace family would never tolerate a woman with a criminal record!"