She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 217

As a crowd began to gather, Cyrilla's face flushed with shame. She pushed herself up from the ground. "I... I just wanted to earn some money on my own, so I wouldn't have to bother you for everything."

The onlookers saw Cyrilla's pitiful expression and immediately began scolding the shop owner for being so heartless.

The owner, however, was not about to back down. "This girl just showed up an hour ago, begging me for work. I only took pity on her and let her bus tables. In that short time, she's already dropped the food for two different tables! Then she has the nerve to blame me for giving her too much to carry!"

"If you're too delicate to work, then don't! You're from a rich family, so why not just stay home and be a pampered princess instead of pretending to be poor?" the owner spat. "I try to do a good deed, and now everyone's blaming me."

Cyrilla just stood there, silently crying and bowing in apology, looking utterly humiliated.

Lucian, developing a headache from the scene, pulled all the cash from his wallet and held it out to the owner. "Is this enough to cover the damages?"

The owner took only what he was owed. "I don't want more than what's fair. Just pay for the two dropped orders. Now please, take your sister and go. She's a jinx."

Once the crowd dispersed, Lucian told Cyrilla to follow them, and the three walked to the edge of the market.

Cyrilla bowed to Lucian again. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to mess things up. It's all my fault. Please don't be angry, Lucian."

"Your priority right now should be your studies, not working a part-time job," Lucian scolded, his brow furrowed. "You're eighteen years old. Can't you tell what's important?"

"I was just..."

"I've told you before, for the Shapiro family, supporting you and your mother is a drop in the ocean," Lucian said, his face impassive. "It's of no consequence to anyone."

The words "no consequence" struck Cyrilla like a blow, and her face went pale.

"That's enough," Loyce said, rolling the mint on her tongue. "I need to get back and write my report."

Cyrilla watched in disbelief as the formidable man actually fell silent at the young woman's words. He even opened the passenger door for her, letting her sit in the front.

Loyce got in without a second thought.

It suddenly dawned on Cyrilla that the breakfast this morning must have been for Loyce. She'd heard this girl was the daughter of the wealthiest man in the country.

Cyrilla knew she could never compare. All she had was Zeke Shapiro's promise to her family.

Loyce saw right through Cyrilla's act—tutoring was the last thing on her mind. But considering she'd have to deal with the Gavin situation soon, which would inevitably cause problems with the ship's medical equipment, she realized she'd need Lucian as a shield.

"Fine," Loyce agreed. "When do you want to start?"

"Can we start tomorrow? I'm a day student, so I can skip the evening study hall and come home for tutoring," Cyrilla said with a bright smile.

"Sure, whatever. I don't have much going on lately anyway."

Cyrilla clapped her hands. "That's great! Thank you!"

Lucian's car pulled up to the Lonsdale family's estate, where another car was already parked. Someone was handing an envelope to a servant.

Lucian recognized the Winslet family's car. He rolled down his window and watched as Loyce got out.

"Welcome back, Miss Lonsdale," the guard at the gate said, immediately handing her the invitation he had just received. "This is from Yorick Winslet. An invitation to a birthday party, requesting your presence."

"Yorick's birthday?" Loyce asked with a frown.