Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

After persuading Shonna, Tina collected the consultation and medicine fees paid by Mrs. Fanning and left. Grandma Lehman followed her out.

“Tina, it’s just about lunchtime, how about I treat you to a meal?” she offered.

Before Tina could refuse, Grandma Lehman continued, “I’ve been meaning to invite you to lunch for a while, and you’ve never had the time. I would feel bad if I didn’t treat you this time.”

“Grandma Lehman, I’m sorry, but I can’t have lunch with you today. I’ve already told my family to save me some food, we don’t have the habit of wasting food at home.”

Grandma Lehman seemed disappointed but then heard Tina suggest, “If you don’t mind, you could come to my house for lunch. We have a lot of people eating together at noon, it’s quite lively.”

The Farrell family alone would bring four people, not to mention Hayden who would sometimes join uninvited, plus the Reed family, that would make nine people at the meal.

Grandma Lehman’s eyes lit up, “Can I really come?”

She was just too bored and got along well with Tina. Where she ate wasn’t important; having company was what mattered.

“Of course, you can,” Tina said with a smile. “Grandma Lehman, would you like to go with us in our car, or should I have the driver take you?”

She noticed a private car parked not far away, belonging to the Lehman family, which she had seen before at the hospital.

Grandma Lehman then noticed Jared, “And who is this?”

“He’s my fiance, Jared.”

“So he’s the good…” The words ‘good-for-nothing’ almost slipped out, but Grandma Lehman swallowed them back in a hurry.

Jared smiled and greeted her politely, “Hello, Grandma Lehman.”

His courtesy was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.

“Hello,” Grandma Lehman responded, her gaze falling on Jared’s leg and understanding something in a glance.

Tina was such a good doctor, healing a cripple would also be possible, but she didn’t ask further.

“I’ll go back with you in your car,” Grandma Lehman said as she got into Jared’s car.

In the Fanning family’s backyard.

After Tina and the others had left, Shonna came out of her room. Although she was still not used to the glaring light, she felt much better.

Shonna walked into the living room and said to Mrs. Fanning and Beatrice, “Grandma, Mom! I’m sorry for worrying you. I will cooperate with the treatment from now on. Even if it doesn’t cure me, I won’t sink into addiction again.”

Mrs. Fanning was overjoyed, “Good! That’s my granddaughter! Miss Reed is really capable. Your mother tried for so long without success, but she managed to bring you out in just a few words.”

Shonna smiled, her disfigured face making it somewhat grotesque, “Talking with Miss Reed is comfortable. She’s right, it’s not my face that is ugly, but people. Hiding away is what the weak do. I am a granddaughter of the Fanning family, a daughter of the Woodham family. I have always excelled in my studies, and I have an outstanding heritage that many cannot match. That’s my capital.”

“I shouldn’t waste my capital. I need to stand up. Only when I’m excellent enough will the mocking voices disappear. They will have no choice but to look up to me.”

“Exactly! Well said!” Mrs. Fanning exclaimed. “Even if your face can’t be healed, you’ll show those people that a granddaughter of the Fanning family isn’t someone they can insult.”

Shonna nodded and then asked Beatrice, “Mom, can you accompany me to the bookstore later? I need to buy some books. I want to study.”

Beatrice was startled, “Go out now? But you…”

“If I can walk out of my room, I’m ready. Maybe I can’t overcome the fear of those strange looks at first, but I will gradually. I need to study while I’m treated.”

Beatrice, as if seeing the confident Shonna of the past, nodded, “Okay, but not right now. I have to visit the Reed family and settle the score with Amber.”

Amber would pay for deceiving her.

“There’s no rush with Amber,” Mrs. Fanning interjected. “Shonna’s matter is the most important. Accompany her to buy books first. Also, I’ve heard that Ensford High School’s Class 22D has a new Lead Teacher who’s very impressive. In just one day, they managed to subdue those unruly kids.”

“And this Lead Teacher has invited Professor Lininger’s team to take charge of the 22D curriculum. Such educationalresources can’t even be compared to Shonna’s current school. I’m thinking of transferring her there, to 22D. Shonna is already outstanding, and with Professor Lininger’s team teaching, Kongham University will definitely be within reach.”

Beatrice didn’t raise any objections this time, “I’ll listen to you.”

Last time she didn’t listen to the old lady, and it nearly cost her daughter’s life.

“I’ll listen to Grandma too,” Shonna said, having heard of Professor Lininger and eager to learn in his class.

“Okay, then I’ll contact the school and start the transfer process for Shonna.”

Shonna changed into casual sportswear and left with Beatrice.

They headed to the downtown bookstore.

Since Shonna felt disheartened upon arriving in Ensford, she hadn’t brought any books, so she needed to buy everything anew, including various practice materials.

As soon as they entered the bookstore, people started whispering and pointing.

Shonna was prepared, but when she was actually facing the pointing and whispering, she felt a moment of hesitation. Remembering Tina’s words, however, she lifted her head, met the eyes of those looking at her, and walked forward with her chest out.

Just a few steps in, she heard someone say, “Look how ugly! How can someone like that even dare to go out?”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“Exactly, coming out to pollute my eyes. If I looked like that, I’d just die and spare everyone my presence.”

The comments came from two girls about Shonna’s age, their voices dripping with sarcasm and loud enough for everyone to hear.

The surrounding people began to look at Shonna.

Beatrice was furious and wanted to confront the two, but Shonna held her back, “Mom, let me handle this.”

Then, Shonna approached the girls and said earnestly, “Yes, I am ugly, but your hearts are uglier. I may be ugly, but I’ve never hurt anyone, whereas you attack others with the most venomous words. If I were not strong enough and committed suicide because of what you said, you’d be murderers. Tell me, wouldn’t your conscience hurt if you killed someone?”

“Are you crazy? Who’s killed anyone?” one of the girls retorted, glaring at her.

“You haven’t killed, but the words you speak are more terrifying than murder,” Shonna replied calmly. “Your thoughts are filthy, and thus you see filth in others.”

Shonna looked at the other girl, “You said that if you were as ugly as me, you would rather die. That’s heartless. Our parents gave us our bodies, and you’d consider death so lightly without thinking of your parents’ feelings? I may be ugly, but I will not die. I will live well, and your venomous words can’t hurt me.”

“Because-you will never be better than me!”

Even though she had once thought of ending it all, now she wouldn’t.

With that, Shonna left the two girls fuming and walked out of the bookstore with Beatrice.