She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Marcella walked over with a basin of fresh greens. Hearing Loyce’s words, she sighed with a pang of sympathy. “Loyce was always a sensible child. She endured a lot at the Sampson family’s home.”

“That won’t happen again,” Lucian said softly.

Marcella, who was a little hard of hearing, looked up at him. “What did you say?”

Lucian offered a slight smile. “Nothing, nothing at all.”

Later that evening, the three of them sat around the table for a simple but hearty meal Loyce had helped Marcella prepare.

‘It’s just home cooking,” Marcella said humbly. “Please, help yourselves.”

Lucian took a bite of the slow–cooked chicken. The meat was tender and succulent, and the broth was more flavorful than anything his personal chef made.

He wasn’t usually a man with a large appetite, but here at Marcella’s, he couldn’t help himself. He ate more than half the rice in the cooker, feeling ruly full for the first time since he had fallen ill.

Marcella smiled. “A young man like you has a healthy appetite.”

Lucian looked at the ingredients in the soup pot and offered a sincere compliment. “This is delicious. What did you add to it?”

‘That was Loyce,” Marcella explained. “She likes to gather things from the mountains to cook with. They have restorative properties.”

Loyce nodded. “Just some herbs that boost the immune system. Eating them regularly promotes longevity.”

Marcella could see how much Lucian was enjoying the meal. Knowing who he was and trusting that he could protect Loyce, she made an offer. “If you like my cooking, you’re welcome to come to Blossom Drugstore

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Chapter 140

anytime. I can cook for you even when Loyce isn’t here.”

Loyce immediately interjected, “You don’t have to go to the trouble. I’m sure his personal chefs are much better cooks than you.”

Ignoring Loyce completely, Lucian addressed Marcella directly. “Thank you for the invitation. I’d be honored to take you up on that.”

Loyce couldn’t believe how shameless he could be, so readily accepting a free meal from an old woman. But seeing how happy it made Marcella, she didn’t say anything more.

After dinner, they rested for a while before Lucian prepared to leave.

“I’m staying with Marcella tonight,” Loyce told him. “You can head back.”

Lucian nodded. “Alright.”

Once his car had disappeared down the lane, Loyce went back inside and sat down at the coffee table. “Marcella, stop fussing. Was there

something on your mind you wanted to tell me today?”

Marcella just sighed and shook her head. “It’s ħothing.”

Seeing her stubborn refusal to share her worries, Loyce sighed as well and let the matter drop.

The next morning, Loyce was woken from a deep sleep by the sudden arrival of the Vaughn family.

After washing up, she stepped into the courtyard and was stunned to find it filled with several ornately wrapped chests. She opened one at random and found it packed with jewelry and jade, though most of the stones were of lower quality. The whole chest was probably worth tens of thousands.

Nosy neighbors were already gathering at the gate. When they saw Loyce, they started teasing her with wide smiles. “Well, look at this!

Which wealthy young man has come to propose to our Loyce? And with so many gifts! This must be worth hundreds of thousands all together.”

Loyce was utterly confused. Propose? What proposal? If she was getting married, she was pretty sure she’d be the first to know.

One of the pharmacists from Blossom Drugstore came out and saw her standing there in a daze. “What are you still doing out here?” she urged. “Everyone’s waiting for you in the main hall.”