She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 401

Habit

Cyrilla watched the undeniable shock and disappointment flashing in Mabel’s and the other parents‘ eyes, her heart sinking heavily.

She knew that look all too well. Suppressing her panic and humiliation, she forced a polite smile and hurried forward, handing over three. invitations.

“Mrs. Windsor, Mr. Windsor, I’m so sorry! I ran into a little trouble on the way and got delayed. Here are the invitations! Lucian specifically gave me three. Come on, let’s head inside. The bidding is about to start!”

Though Mabel and the others were still brimming with suspicion, the sight of the invitations right in front of them–along with the massive temptation of prime commercial real estate–squashed any lingering doubts.

“Great, great!” Mabel snatched the invitation, her skepticism instantly replaced by pure greed, as if the thin piece of paper were the key to a gold mine. “I knew you were resourceful, Cyrilla! Let’s go, let’s get inside!” Mabel immediately waved over the other two most influential parents, rushing toward the entrance.

Cyrilla let out a quiet breath of relief. She had managed to fool them for

now.

Smoothing out her slightly wrinkled dress, she straightened her spine and followed Mabel, trying her best to project the aura of a wealthy socialite.

The only reason she dared to show up tonight was because Zeke had arranged everything. Plus, she was banking on the fact that none of the core members of the Shapiro or Lonsdale families would actually attend this bidding event. There would be no one to expose her lies. All she needed to do was ensure these greedy parents secured their storefronts in the new commercial district, forcing Marnie and her classmates to

keep her secret. Then, everything would blow over.

Using the three invitations Cyrilla provided, Mabel and her group

successfully infiltrated the venue.

To their dismay, they were seated in the most marginal, obscure corner of the room, miles away from the main stage with a terrible view.

‘Cyrilla, aren’t you Lucian’s girlfriend? Why did they put you in such a terrible spot?” Mabel’s disappointment flared again. “If I stand up to speak from back here, no one will even be able to see my face.”

Cyrilla clenched her fists, the frustration she had been suppressing all day finally boiling over. She shot Mabel a dark, venomous look. “Let me make this clear. If you say one more word, you can kiss your spot in Futura–Silicon goodbye.”

Hearing this, one of the other parents quickly tried to smooth things over. ‘Oh, come on, let’s not argue. Cyrilla already promised we’d get our storefronts. It doesn’t matter if we’re a bit far back. We’re just here to go through the motions anyway.”

However, from the very back of the room, it really was impossible to see what was happening on the main stage clearly. From a distance, they could only watch as the previously seated crowd suddenly stood up in unison. Under everyone’s respectful gaze, a slender figure in a champagne–colored gown, escorted by bodyguards, gracefully took her seat at the most prominent position in the center of the front row.

The lighting seemed to favor her entirely, illuminating her elegant and

poised demeanor.

After sitting down, she slightly turned her head to speak in a low voice with an authoritative older man next to her. Her posture was so natural it was as if that throne had been built specifically for her.

“That’s the Lonsdale heiress. Her presence is incredibly intimidating. It’s a shame we’re so far back; I can’t even make out her face,” a woman in a sequined dress murmured, her tone filled with awe and a trace of

undetectable jealousy.

“What?! The Lonsdale heiress?” Cyrilla shrieked, her voice so sharp it startled the people around her.

“Y–Yes, the Lonsdale heiress. Why are you getting so worked up?” The woman in sequins clutched her chest, clearly spooked.

Cyrilla had just learned from Zeke that the Lonsdale heiress was actually Loyce. Loyce wasn’t just the daughter of some average rich guy; she was the treasured jewel of the wealthiest family in the country!

Panic seized her heart, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. She desperately tried to comfort herself, repeating internally that Zeke had already negotiated with Forrest Lonsdale. Her secret would not be exposed. Absolutely not!

In a massive corporate dynasty run by men, there was no way a woman would have any real power!

But very quickly, Cyrilla realized just how dead wrong she was…