She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 582

Yorick Winslet hurried over to Loyce Lonsdale, eager to share the latest gossip. "The Crowns have been reaching out to adoption agencies recently."

Loyce feigned surprise. "Oh? Adoption? Don't they already have a son?"

"Yeah, but that one's beyond saving. They want a do-over with a fresh heir," Yorick chuckled. "Looks like Thane Crown is actually getting kicked out of the family."

Yuna Lombard gasped. "They're really that ruthless?"

Yorick didn't find it surprising at all. "Thane has been rebellious and reckless since he was a kid. He spent most of his life studying abroad, so he's hardly close to his parents. Plus, with a massive empire like the Crown family's, they can't hand the reins over to a kid who lets his emotions dictate his every move."

"All this because he's dating Sybil?" Yuna asked. "Just for that?"

Yorick shook his head. "A news story broke online early this morning. We couldn't get a signal out at sea, so I just found out. You know Yarden, the mayor of Yavon County and the factory owner Alicia has been partnering with? They dug up dozens of bodies on the hillside in his territory. Every single one of them was a woman."

Yuna and the other socialites within earshot collectively inhaled sharply.

"Does that mean Alicia might be involved in a serial murder cover-up? That's pure evil!"

"If the mother is like that, how much better can Sybil be? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"No wonder the Crowns are cutting their son loose. Anyone tied to that family is going to be dragged through the mud."

Yorick lowered his voice further. "On top of that, the Shapiro Group's stock has been taking a massive nosedive. The internet is screaming for Lucian to step down as CEO. If the pressure forces him out, what happens to the company?"

Yuna immediately chimed in, "What else could happen? Doesn't he have a younger brother stepping into the spotlight?"

Yorick didn't answer, instead looking meaningfully at Loyce.

It was a not-so-subtle hint that she needed to cut her losses and jump ship.

He couldn't contain his temper. In the echoing expanse of the banquet hall, his voice carried, catching the attention of several older guests nearby.

Loyce didn't bother responding. It was like talking to a brick wall.

She simply walked away.

A few people, eager to score points with Yorick, echoed his sentiments and started badmouthing Lucian. The flattery did nothing to improve Yorick's foul mood.

Morris Lonsdale watched the entire exchange unfold. When someone asked for his thoughts, he offered a mild smile. "It's good for Yorick to hit a wall. He's still a bit too arrogant for his own good."

That man was far more than what he appeared to be on the surface. Underestimating Lucian Shapiro was the biggest mistake any of them could make.

Meanwhile, the very man dominating the room's gossip was sitting in the ship's medical bay. Barely ten minutes after finishing that glass of wine, Lucian had realized something was terribly wrong. A burning heat was spreading through his veins...