She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 35

Quiana said quickly, “Lester, don’t say things like that. Loyce wouldn’t steal from the Sampsons… and she wouldn’t sell her body, either.”

She meant it like a defense, but to everyone listening, it landed very differently.

Marshall’s chest tightened with anger. “I was going to let Loyce stay in Metropia. Now? Letting her keep the Sampson name would only stain us. She has to go.”

Quiana lowered her eyes, the corner of her mouth quietly lifting.

When Loyce came back downstairs, the looks people gave her had turned into disgust.

Marshall spoke in front of all the guests. “Loyce! Look at the mess you’ve made. Get on your knees.”

The guests watched like they’d paid for a show.

Loyce stood perfectly straight and didn’t move an inch. Her expression stayed cool. “I came back because I was invited. Not to kneel for anyone.”

Marshall roared, “Still refusing to repent! Your brothers were right to kick you out!”

Adele frowned as she spoke. “I’m announcing that today, Quiana officially becomes our daughter. Loyce, no matter how you apologize to me now, I won’t—”

“This is the necklace Adele gave me.” Loyce cut her off, pulled an emerald necklace from a box, and pressed it into Quiana’s hands. “It’s yours now.”

“And this is the limited-edition brooch Hamilton gave me when we were kids. Also yours.”

“This is the pink diamond ring Byron gave me.”

“This is the trophy Lester gave me after his first win.”

“And one more thing.” Loyce’s gaze landed on Keegan. “I’m not interested in men with nothing between their ears. Keegan and Quiana are a perfect match. So I’m canceling the engagement. And I’d appreciate it if the Sampsons stopped bothering me. I’m tired of it.”

She’d insulted Keegan and dragged Quiana into it too.

This was supposed to be Quiana’s spotlight. Instead, it became Loyce’s one-sided, take-no-prisoners announcement.

The Vaughns’ faces tightened. Keegan immediately jumped in. “Nothing between my ears? Take a look at yourself, a nobody from nowhere. You were the one who wouldn’t leave me alone back then. Let me make this clear, I’ve always liked a lady like Quiana, not someone rough like you! And if this engagement is ending, it’s because the Vaughns said so!”

People behind him quickly chimed in. “Exactly. The Vaughns just landed that two-billion-dollar project with the Lonsdales. I heard Keegan negotiated it personally. Loyce is probably just furious she couldn’t get him.”

Keegan lifted his chin. “The Vaughns are about to become Metropia’s top family. Loyce, you think you’re worthy of me? Go back to wherever you came from and live your quiet life.”

Since Loyce had made it this final, Adele stopped pretending to care. She put an arm around Quiana and said firmly, “That’s right. And we’ll announce something else today. The one engaged to the Vaughns has always been the Sampson family’s real daughter, not some impostor. I have only one daughter, Quiana. Loyce is no longer a Sampson.”