She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 26

Every year, they threw a big party for Quiana, inviting guests, blowing out candles, making wishes, cutting the cake. And only after all that would Quiana put on a show of remembering that they were supposed to be celebrating Loyce’s birthday as well, forcing Loyce to wear the crown she’d already worn and make a wish over whatever scraps of cake were left.

Loyce didn’t even know why she’d brought up such a disgusting memory to the well-dressed man in front of her. She said flatly, “Just treat it like a joke.”

Lucian was quiet for a moment. “I heard you were taken in by the Sampson family when you were little. And that your real parents are from out in the country.”

Loyce nodded. “Yeah. Supposedly it was in Gilt Village, a little mountain town on the edge of Metropia. When I’ve got time, I’m planning to go look.”

Lucian tapped a finger lightly against the tabletop, his gaze thoughtful. “Is that so. That’s… kind of a coincidence.”

Loyce blinked. “What is?”

Lucian shook his head.

The Lonsdale family’s long-lost heiress had recently been traced to a disappearance in Gilt Village as well. According to an informant, she was currently studying at a medical university. Every detail lined up with Loyce. But Loyce’s background clearly wasn’t as simple as “an orphan.”

Lucian figured that until there was something confirmed, it was better not to say anything. He didn’t want to get her hopes up for nothing.

After they finished eating, Lucian ran into some old comrades from his military days. The moment they saw him, they lit up.

“Sir, you’re looking better! I can’t believe we ran into you here!”

Some of them were older, some looked like brand-new recruits, but every one of them was full of admiration and respect for Lucian.

They were people who’d been through life-and-death situations with him. Lucian couldn’t exactly brush them off and leave right away. He glanced back at Loyce. “I’ll have the driver take you home first.”

When they noticed the young woman at his side, their looks immediately turned suggestive.

The mix of envy and outrage buzzed in Lucian’s ears. He rubbed between his brows and said in a low voice, “She’s the doctor treating me. Don’t run your mouths and ruin her reputation.”

The moment he put on that military edge, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. Nobody dared keep joking. Still, they were genuinely happy to see him out and about, and they hoped he’d recover soon and return to duty.

...

Loyce rode the elevator down to the lobby. Compared to the private rooms upstairs, it was louder and far less secluded.

“Isn’t that your sister?” At one of the tables, a race driver patted Lester on the arm. “We’ve been racing together for years and you finally remembered to invite Loyce to the pre-race dinner?”

“I didn’t invite her.” Lester frowned and turned around. Sure enough, he spotted Loyce’s back, and his eyes widened. “Why is she here?”

Just then, a middle-aged man in a suit stepped out of the elevator as well. He ran into Loyce and greeted her politely. “Thank you for saving our admiral’s life. Next time you come to this restaurant, everything’s on the house.”