She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 425

"What's gotten into you? Have some manners!"

Emma scolded her daughter as she was dragged aside, but stopped when she heard Giselle whisper urgently: "Mr. Shapiro needs to talk to Loyce. Mom, give them some alone time."

Hearing that, Emma instantly silenced herself and obediently sat on the sofa.

Giselle considerately turned up the volume on the TV to drown out the sound of running water and clinking dishes from the kitchen.

In the brightly lit kitchen, the sink was piled high with dirty plates.

Loyce picked one up to rinse it, but Lucian's tall frame moved in beside her. He silently turned on the faucet, letting the warm water cascade down.

"I'll wash them."

The man's deep voice rumbled as he took the plate from her hands. His long, strong fingers moved with the distinct efficiency of a military man, though there was a slight, charming clumsiness to his dishwashing.

Loyce didn't fight him for it. She took a half-step back and picked up a clean dish towel, ready to dry.

They stood agonizingly close in the cramped space. The torrential rain raged outside, thunder rolling ominously. Inside the kitchen, there was only the rush of water, the sharp clink of porcelain, and the silent, taut tension between them.

Lucian kept his head down, focused entirely on washing a soup bowl, the suds clinging to his knuckles.

It took him a long time to finally speak. His voice was somewhat muffled by the running water, but it reached Loyce's ears clearly. "What I said at the hospital that day wasn't what I meant."

Loyce's hands paused on the towel. She didn't look up, but her eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Loyce slowed her drying. She finally looked up, meeting his gaze.

His shirt sleeves were rolled to his elbows, revealing strong forearms dotted with water droplets and soap.

His eyes no longer held their usual cold, razor-sharp edge. They were filled with profound regret, absolute honesty, and a nervous anticipation of her judgment.

"I am not a pampered princess in a castle," Loyce said. "The role that suits me is a queen."

"And what makes you think the SaintHealer, the owner of CoreWell Pharmacy with a formidable reputation on the dark web, would be afraid of danger?" Loyce tilted her chin up, her tone radiating calm authority. "It's others who should be afraid of me."

The warm, yellow light from above cast a glow over her exquisite features, highlighting the absolute self-assurance and raw power in her eyes.