Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

A cane with a metal base struck Carl's knees heavily.

With a loud thud, Carl, who could barely stand to begin with, collapsed to his knees, facing Ian directly. His eyes widened in disbelief, filled with shock and humiliation.

Grandpa Langdon didn't spare Carl a glance. Instead, he clasped his hands respectfully toward Ian and said, "Ian, it is my failure as a parent to teach him properly. I apologize for the trouble we've caused you. Rest assured that once we return, I will discipline him strictly. I deeply regret disrupting your afternoon. If there's anything you need in the future, don't hesitate to contact me. For now, I'll take my leave so as not to disturb you further."

Ian raised an eyebrow, momentarily unsure what game Grandpa Langdon was playing.

Not long ago, they had stormed in without a word, intending to cripple his two sons. Now suddenly, they were putting on this act of humility?

But did they think they could walk away so easily after turning his family into such a mess?

Not a chance.

A dark glint flashed across Ian's aged eyes. As Grandpa Langdon turned to leave, Ian's cold voice rang out.

"Wait."

Trevor Langdon froze in place, turning to face him.

Ian remained seated, his frail body leaning slightly forward. His gaze fell on Carl, who was still kneeling, dazed from Trevor's earlier scolding. Ian let out a cold laugh.

"Trevor, your son barged into the Brookes family today without a word and dared to point at my face and shout insults. I am his elder. Do you really think I'll let this go? Walking away without settling this is not only disrespectful to me but also

to the Brookes family. And what kind of lesson is it for your son if you're the one apologizing on his behalf? At his age, he should be able to take responsibility for his actions!" Trevor's face hardened. "What do you want, then?"

Ian stayed seated, his expression calm but unyielding. He looked down at Carl, who still hadn't recovered from the shock of being reprimanded. Ian's lips curled into a sneer. "You know my health isn't great. Today, your son's behavior gave me quite a fright. I want him to bow his head, kneel, and apologize to me. That's not asking too much, is it?"

Carl snapped out of his daze, his teeth clenched tightly as he glared at Ian. Gone was the pretense of civility and refinement he usually displayed. Now, he was like a furious, powerless street thug. "You're taking this too far, Ian!" Carl roared, his voice trembling with anger.

Trevor's expression darkened as well, but compared to his son's outburst, he maintained a semblance of composure.

"Ian, this isn't appropriate. Carl is the heir of the Langdon family. If word gets out that he kneeled and apologized, how will the family maintain its authority? How will anyone respect him in the future?" Trevor clearly didn't want to waste time with the Brookes family but softened his tone, attempting to negotiate.

"How about this? For the sake of our long-standing relationship, let's let this matter go. The Langdon family will owe you a favor, and we'll be ready to support you whenever you need it."

Ian scoffed, his posture straightening as he leaned back in his chair. His voice was sharp and dismissive.

"Trevor, don't try to sell me empty promises. What if you deny it later? I want him to kneel and apologize now. Don't bring up his status as the Langdon heir-I'm the head of the Brookes family, his elder. Bowing to an elder and admitting his mistakes is hardly unreasonable. Or are you saying the Langdon family looks down on the Brookes family?"

Brandon, Ian's eldest son, covered his ears, feeling like his head was about to burst from the argument. As he regained his composure, Ian's sharp gaze fell on him.

Brandon quickly caught on and leaned heavily against his younger brother Jack, feigning weakness.

"I told you, Jack, the reason Carl acts so arrogantly is because Uncle Trevor himself doesn't respect us."

Jack, always quick to respond, chimed in, "What nonsense, Brandon! Uncle Trevor is a fair and honorable man. He wouldn't play favorites. If he doesn't handle this properly, it'll damage his reputation in the hidden families. People will say the Langdon family bullies smaller families, steals from others, and abuses their power. How would they maintain their position as leaders of the hidden families then?"

"Enough!" Trevor's voice boomed, his patience wearing thin.

He wasn't stupid-he understood the veiled threats in the brothers' exchange. If he didn't handle this situation carefully, the entire hidden family network would hear about how the Langdon family used their power to oppress others. Worse, rumors could spread that they were after other families' secrets and techniques.

Such accusations would make the Langdon family a target, isolating them from potential allies and turning them into pariahs.

Trevor clenched his fists, silently cursing Carl. If circumstances allowed, he would've kicked his son right then and there.

This useless son of his-reckless when caution was needed, and cautious when recklessness would suffice.

Trevor swallowed his frustration and forced a neutral tone.

"Let's not escalate things further. We are one family, bound by shared history and the same hidden traditions. Ian, you and I go way back. Carl was indeed reckless today. He owes you an apology, and he will give you one." Turning sharply toward his son, Trevor's voice hardened. "You fool! What are you waiting for? Apologize to your Uncle Ian!"

"Father!" Carl's face twisted in rage, his eyes bloodshot.

Trevor didn't give him a chance to object. His cold glare silenced Carl, who felt as if a crushing weight had settled on his chest. His breath caught, and though his hands clenched tightly behind his back-his nails digging into his palms-he had no choice but to yield.

Lowering his proud head, Carl forced out a strained smile and bowed, pressing his forehead to the ground.

"Uncle Ian, I was out of line today. My words were inappropriate, and I offended you. Please forgive me."

Ian, satisfied, rose slowly from his chair. He didn't care whether Carl's apology was sincere.

"Now that's more like it," Ian said, his tone light but laced with warning. "Trevor, make sure to teach your son proper manners. He's a grown man but still doesn't understand respect or etiquette. He's lucky I'm so patient. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have been so fortunate today."

Trevor's smile was stiff, his voice strained as he replied, "Thank you for your generosity."

He turned to Carl, his frustration barely contained. "Get up! We'll settle this when we're home."

Trevor wasted no time gathering the Langdon family members, including the unconscious Evan and Colin Nash, who were carried away by others.

As they reached the door, Ian's voice rang out again.

"Don't forget to clean up the mess outside. The sight of all that blood is irritating."

Trevor froze in place, inhaling deeply to suppress his anger.

"You two," he barked at two Langdon family subordinates, "stay behind and make sure the Brookes family's entrance is spotless. Not a speck of dirt is to remain."

The two men exchanged uneasy glances, clearly troubled by the task.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" Trevor's voice dropped menacingly.

"No, sir!" they stammered. "We'll handle it immediately."

With a cold huff, Trevor stormed out, leading the Langdon family away in silence.