She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 216

Loyce glanced away, her tone casual. "I never took you for the type to mingle with the common folk, Mr. Shapiro."

Lucian let out a low chuckle, his voice deep. "And what type is that? Someone who floats above the mortal world?"

Loyce shrugged. "Not exactly. I just didn't expect you'd be willing to join me at a street food stall."

"A request from my 'girlfriend' is one I must fulfill," he said, his tone light but tinged with a playful tease.

Loyce pushed open the car door. "Let's go."

They walked into the bustling night market together. Loyce confidently led the way to a stall tucked into a corner. As soon as she sat down, the owner came over, recognized her, and said, "Scallion oil pasta with a fried egg and a full set of skewers?"

Loyce nodded, then looked at Lucian. "What do you want?"

"The same," Lucian replied.

When their food arrived, the owner returned with two bottles of soda. "On the house," she said with a smile.

Lucian accepted the drink. "You come here often?"

"Yeah," Loyce said, taking a sip. She looked at him. "Are you being pushed out?"

Lucian nearly choked on his soda, a smile filling his eyes. "That perceptive, are you?"

Loyce nodded. "It's obvious."

"My condition is under control for now, but the long-term prognosis is still uncertain. Leaving control of the entire Navy in the hands of a sick man like me... it just makes me a target for ambitious people," Lucian said coolly. "I always knew this day would come."

Loyce tapped her finger against the glass bottle, making a soft clinking sound. She met his gaze. "I told you. You're not going to die."

"I know," Lucian said, composing himself. "According to regulations, my health condition should have led to an early retirement anyway. Caden is a capable second-in-command, and it's only natural that he'd want to climb the ladder."

Loyce nodded. "I'll send you the report on the issues with Gavin's medical equipment tomorrow."

Now Lucian was genuinely surprised by her efficiency. "You'll have it ready by tomorrow?"

Loyce finished her entire plate of pasta and the skewers, letting out a satisfied sigh. "I'm full. Let's go."

They had only walked a short distance from the stall when Loyce pulled two mints from her bag, handing one to Lucian as she always did. "Dinner was a little greasy. I developed these myself to cut through it."

Just as Lucian popped the mint into his mouth, an argument erupted at a nearby shop. A girl was shoved out by the furious owner, who yelled, "If you can do the job, then do it! If not, get out!"

The girl stumbled and crashed right into Loyce. Loyce instinctively reached out to steady her, but as the girl's eyes darted past her to the man standing behind, she deliberately twisted away from Loyce's hand and fell hard onto the ground, her eyes instantly welling with tears.

Lucian frowned. "Cyrilla? Why are you here?"

Loyce pulled her hand back, her gaze falling on the plainly dressed girl on the pavement. A knowing smile touched her lips.