Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

The problems in the World Mathematics Competition were few but extremely difficult. Each question had numerous traps and required careful research to solve. A single mistake could lead to endless confusion, making it impossible to find the correct answer. However, Tina claimed to have finished in just fifteen minutes. How was that possible?

Willow looked at Tina in disbelief, while Lily felt a wave of anxiety. It was her second attempt at the test, and she hadn’t even completed half of it. How could Tina finish so quickly? She must have scribbled random answers without even reading the questions!

“Miss Reed, solving problems is not just about speed but also accuracy,” Willow said deliberately, glancing at Annabelle who was waiting for the results. “Even if you write quickly, what does it prove if your answers are incorrect? It’s better to take your time and submit a satisfactory paper.”

Tina raised an eyebrow as if hearing a joke. “Waste of time.”

“What did you say?” Willow was taken aback.

Tina tossed her paper to Willow. “I can do five sets of these questions in an hour.”

“You!” Willow suppressed her anger. “Do you know these are questions from the World Mathematics Competition? They were created by math experts! Scoring above ninety is considered excellent!”

She was trying to set the stage for Lily’s performance, hoping to impress the Reed family.

But Tina remained indifferent, her expression unchanged.

“Hah!” Tina sneered. “So what? Your daughter took so long to finish one set of questions. What qualifies her to teach my brother?”

Willow was furious but couldn’t find words to refute.

At this moment, Lily finally finished her test. She had given it her all and had no idea how well she had done.

Seeing that Willow was about to start grading the papers, Juliet suggested, “For fairness, let Grandma grade them.”

Willow and Lily were both startled by this suggestion. Willow had planned to cover up any mistakes while grading but didn’t expect Audrey to disrupt her plan.

“No need to trouble Grandma with this small task,” Willow said.

Juliet smiled. “Are you saying you don’t trust Grandma to be fair? Or do you think she can’t handle such a simple task?”

With these words, Willow had no choice but to hand the papers to Annabelle.

“Madam, please.”

Annabelle was also curious and wanted to see the results herself-to determine whether Lily or her granddaughter was more capable.

She first graded Lily’s paper and praised her, “Not bad, ninety-eight!”This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

This score surpassed Lily’s previous attempt and showed the results of her revision.

Willow quickly added, “Lily’s level is better than some graduate students!”

How could Tina possibly beat her daughter? Even if Tina had dual doctorate degrees, her Lily was no less accomplished. In terms of intelligence and talent, Tina could never surpass Lily.

Annabelle then began grading the next paper. As she progressed, her expression grew increasingly pleased until she couldn’t hide her smile anymore.

“Perfect score! Tina got every question right!”

Willow and Lily exchanged shocked looks. How could this be?

“I knew my cousin’s abilities wouldn’t be inferior!” Griffin said proudly as if he had won the competition himself. “It seems Miss Ward’s level is ordinary; can she really teach Zackary well?”

Lily felt as if she had been slapped in the face; it stung painfully. If not for Mr. Ye and Grandma Reed’s presence, she would have lost her temper on the spot.

“Miss Reed is indeed impressive,” Lily forced a compliment through gritted teeth, though she seethed with anger inside. “But I can still teach Zackary.”

“Really?” Tina looked at her before walking over to Zackary and gently patting his head. “Zackary, tell me, do you want her to teach you?”

Zackary bit his lip and stared at the ground silently. He hadn’t forgotten what Lily had said before and feared her punishment.

“Don’t be afraid,” Tina reassured him softly while stroking his head. “I told you I’d protect you. Anyone who bullies you will be punished.”

Looking into Tina’s clear eyes, Zackary felt a sense of calm wash over him.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, “I… I don’t like Miss Ward…”

“Zackary, how can you say that? It hurts me,” Lily said with a forced smile. “I’ve been trying my best to help you keep up with your studies. Even if I was strict, it’s no reason for you not to like me.”

Annabelle watched this scene in confusion, unsure of what was happening.

“Zackary, speak up if something’s wrong!” Griffin encouraged him. “If you’ve been wronged, Grandma will stand up for you!”

With the Reed family’s support, Zackary felt more at ease.

“Miss Ward doesn’t teach me; she only makes me do problems. If I can’t solve them, she hits and scolds me… even pinches me…” Zackary answered timidly, rolling up his sleeve to show his bruised arm.

“What!” Annabelle stood up from the sofa in anger.

Tina’s eyes narrowed as she turned towards Lily with a gaze that could tear her apart.

“It’s not true!” Lily quickly defended herself. “How could I hurt a child? Zackary, didn’t you get those bruises from falling?”

She shot Zackary a threatening look, warning him not to say more.

Juliet was also furious upon seeing Zackary’s injuries. “How dare you lie? Falling wouldn’t cause such bruises! Show me how you fell like that! These are clearly pinch marks!”

Griffin added, “We can get these injuries examined to see if they were caused by falling or pinching.”

Lily panicked; an examination would reveal everything about how she mistreated Zackary.

In desperation, she said hurriedly, “It’s all a misunderstanding; I was just trying tough love…”

“Exactly!” Willow chimed in defensively for her daughter. “Kids won’t listen unless they’re disciplined; sometimes they need a little tough love!”

“Ridiculous!” Annabelle slammed the table in anger, trembling with rage. “You dare call hurting Zackary a misunderstanding! Do you realize the psychological harm you’ve caused him?”

As soon as Annabelle finished speaking, Tina calmly remarked, “Grandma Reed, you’re talking too much.”