She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 31

The second Lester heard that, he got mad. “So it was all Loyce’s doing. She really went out of her way just to set you up.”

Byron’s gut told him it wasn’t that simple, but he couldn’t find a clean way to push back right now. Instead, his eyes caught the red mark on Lester’s cheek. “What happened? Did someone hit you?”

Lester nodded, getting angrier the more he thought about it. “I invited Loyce to race with me. I was going to share some of the prize money so her life would be easier after she went back to whatever rural place she came from. And what do I get? She doesn’t appreciate it. She even slaps me!”

Quiana’s eyes immediately reddened. She clutched Lester’s sleeve. “Does it hurt? I’ll go get something for it.”

Lester’s heart softened completely. “In this house, you’re the only one who actually cares about me. As for Loyce, she even dared to turn down my invitation. That attitude suits the miserable life she’s got.”

Looking fragile and earnest, Quiana promised, “Lester, let me race. I’ll work even harder than before, and I’m willing to give all my winnings to Loyce.”

Hearing that, Lester felt even more protective of her. “That’s my good little sister.”

He was furious, too. He refused to believe that without Loyce, his team couldn’t win gold. Quiana was his real sister. They would have the best chemistry. And this year’s global relay championship would be theirs!

After he finally calmed Quiana down, Byron remembered something else their parents had called about. “Loyce used to be engaged to the Vaughns. Tomorrow their family is coming to cancel it. Loyce and Quiana both need to be there.”

Something flickered in Quiana’s eyes, but she kept her face innocent. “Me? Why do I have to be there?”

The Sampsons were slipping these days, and after offending the Shapiros, the future looked uncertain. The Vaughns, on the other hand, were on the rise. Rumor had it they’d even connected with the Lonsdales, Yarmoria’s richest family, and had business dealings with them. Having Quiana marry Keegan wasn’t a bad alliance.

Loyce was the one who’d suffer. People all over Metropia would probably laugh at her again.

...

Meanwhile, a group of unmistakably important people suddenly showed up at the military housing and headed straight for Heath’s office.

“I heard you have a blood sample from Loyce?” The elderly man leading them looked sharp and commanding, his voice urgent.