She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 139

“Let’s get some dinner,” Lucian said, leaning back lazily against the leather seat as he turned to look at her. “Isn’t this worth celebrating?”

Loyce weighed the award in her hand. “This?” She tossed it into her pocket dismissively. “The grant money that comes with it is barely enough to fund my project.”

“Aren’t I funding the rest of your research?” Lucian pointed out.

Loyce shot him a sideways glance. “And I’m supposed to thank you for that?”

Lucian chuckled. “Steak?”

။

“No, I’m having dinner at Blossom Drugstore tonight,” Loyce said. She paused for a moment. “Want to come?”

She was just being polite and didn’t actually expect him to accept, but he nodded immediately. “Sure.”

Well, alright then…

During the drive, Loyce answered a few calls, some from neighbors at the military housing compound, and one from Tucker.

Thanks to Loyce’s treatment, Tucker’s leg had shown remarkable improvement, and the news of his recovery was spreading fast. He sounded almost embarrassed when he called. “I really didn’t want to bother you, Loyce, but my friends with their own chronic conditions have been hounding me. They all want to see you, and I just couldn’t put them off any longer. I know it’s a bit shameless of me to ask.”

Loyce considered it for a moment. “I’m really busy lately, but you can send them to my mentor. She sees patients at Blossom Drugstore. Her skills are even better than mine; she should be more than capable of

1/2

Chapter 139

handling your friends‘ ailments.”

Tucker quickly jotted down the address she gave him. “Great, I understand. Thank you so much, you’re a lifesaver.”

The luxury car turned down the narrow lane leading to Blossom Drugstore. As they walked through the alley, several people greeted Loyce warmly.

“Loyce, you’re back! I knew Marcella must be preparing that chicken for a special occasion. She knew you were coming home.”

Loyce greeted them all back as Lucian followed behind her, enduring the curious, gossiping stares of the neighbors. They walked through the gate and saw Marcella sitting in the courtyard, preparing a chicken.

Someone had clearly already run ahead to tell her Loyce was here. Marcella stood up, wiping her hands and offering a kind smile, though her eyes betrayed a hidden worry. “Loyce, and you’ve brought a friend.”

Lucian had toned down his usual commanding presence, appearing much more approachable.

Marcella’s eyes widened for a second as she took in the tall, handsome man. “You look like…”

‘He’s a guest,” Loyce cut in. “Don’t overthink it. He’s just here for dinner. A friend.”

Marcella nodded. “Alright, I’ll make a few extra dishes then.”

“Please don’t go to any trouble. A normal meal is fine,” Lucian said.

Loyce rolled up her sleeves, then turned to Lucian. “You’re the guest. Go wait in the living room in the back. We’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

She expertly took the knife from Marcella and knelt to process the freshly killed chicken. Her movements were clean and efficient. With a slight twist of the blade at the joints, the entire chicken was perfectly portioned.

212

Lucian didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, watching her with interest. “I didn’t know you could do this.”

“Back at the Sampson’s,” Loyce said without looking up, her tone flat. “This was all my job.”

Lucian’s expression darkened slightly.