She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 25

Just imagining the Sampson family being erased from high society made Byron’s heart tremble. He jabbed a finger at Quiana. “I’m beyond disappointed in you.”

Quiana’s composure cracked too. “Byron! I was trying to bring honor to our family! If I could earn the Walsh family’s favor, that would benefit you too! I was thinking about us!”

Byron snapped, “Thinking about us? Do you think the Shapiro family are idiots? You really thought he wouldn’t be able to tell it was fake?”

Quiana cried out, “Loyce did that on purpose! If she hadn’t said anything, no one would’ve known it was fake!”

Looking at Quiana’s face twisted by sobs, Byron realized for the first time just how exhausting his sister could be. If it were Loyce, she wouldn’t be screaming back at him. She wouldn’t be throwing a tantrum.

His face darkened. “You’re still making excuses. Loyce made the compound, and you took all the credit and made us believe it.”

Quiana couldn’t face what he was saying and she refused to admit it was her fault. She turned and ran off crying.

Byron was furious, but doubt crept in too. Loyce, who supposedly couldn’t do anything, had been kicked out of the Sampson family, and after that she not only took first place academically, she produced a sky-high compound, and even got connected to the Shapiro family. Had she been holding back all these years? And kicking her out back then… Had they been too hasty?

A thin thread of regret rose in Byron’s chest.

Before he could even figure out how to make amends with the Shapiro family, a coworker hurried over to him, breathless. “Your brother’s condition took a turn. Come quick.”

Byron’s face changed instantly. He sprinted for the ward.

“Yeah. For you.” Lucian gave a slight nod, his eyes softened by something gentler. “A young girl’s birthday should be celebrated.”

Loyce froze. She hadn’t expected him to piece it together from something so small. Her fingers tightened around the fork and knife. She lowered her gaze slightly. “Unfortunately, today isn’t my birthday.”

Lucian’s brows lifted. “It isn’t?”

The corner of Loyce’s mouth curled with quiet sarcasm. “Ever since Quiana came back to the Sampson family, I haven’t had a birthday of my own.”

Her birthday and Quiana’s were only two days apart, but the Sampson family didn’t want to celebrate hers.