She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 590

After dinner, Lucian and Loyce made their way to the banquet hall. Tonight's event was strictly for networking and sealing deals among the elite.

Groups of executives were clustered together in deep conversation.

While Lucian drew plenty of speculative glances, the reception was glaringly cold compared to the usual eager crowds that flocked to him.

Morris Lonsdale looked ethereal in a pristine white suit, a subtle pink bowtie fastened at his throat, radiating a gentle, moonlit elegance.

He approached Loyce with a glass of wine in his hand, swapping it out for a glass of orange juice from a passing waiter before handing it to her. "I heard the Crowns visited an orphanage today to adopt a boy. They don't strike me as the type to just throw their own flesh and blood away. Are they just putting on a show for Sybil?"

Loyce smiled and nodded. "Probably."

"And is Dr. Karl a friend of yours?" Morris asked softly. "He's been watching you ever since you walked in."

Loyce didn't deny it. "I'm just playing a little game of fate."

Morris chuckled, his eyes full of indulgence. "Mischievous as always."

After chatting with Loyce, Morris turned to Lucian, his tone shifting to something slightly more serious. "I stopped by Grandpa's suite earlier. Word is, Yorick is issuing an ultimatum, ordering every business partner to cut ties with you. Have you two officially gone to war?"

Lucian didn't look bothered in the slightest. "Kids throw tantrums. Eventually, they cry."

Morris studied him for a second and laughed. "That's exactly what Grandpa said. I guess I'll just sit back and watch the show."

"Play your piece first," Lucian prompted. "Loyce wants to hear it."

"It's a new composition," Morris said modestly. "I'd love my sister's critique on it."

Asking for a critique was pure humility. While Loyce was a gifted musician in her own right, Morris was a certified musical genius. His skills on the piano easily rivaled, if not surpassed, hers.

The moment his fingers touched the keys, a hush fell over the banquet hall. Every guest held their breath, completely mesmerized by the melody.

When the final note faded, thunderous applause erupted.

By playing the piano, Morris had given Yorick an enormous amount of face. But he made it clear it was a one-time thing. Despite the crowd begging for an encore, he politely declined with a charming smile. "My appearance fee is exceptionally high."

When the crowd wouldn't let up, Yorick personally stepped in to ask for another song, but Morris shot him down just the same.

"I promised one song. Any more than that is just greedy," Morris said lightly.

Though Lucian was physically present, no one was approaching him for conversation. But he was far from relaxed. His assistant had called repeatedly with panic-inducing news: multiple corporations were suddenly pulling out of their contracts, offering no explanation and voluntarily paying the massive cancellation fees.

After taking a few calls, Lucian gave his assistant a blunt directive: "If they want to pay the penalty, let them breach the contract."

Shortly after, a tycoon who had made his fortune in steel approached Lucian, holding a glass of wine and offering an apologetic smile. "Please don't hold this against me, cutting ties so abruptly. The Winslet family simply offered terms I can't refuse, and they're tying it into the Stellar Trust deal. Those international margins are impossible to turn down. No hard feelings. Cheers."

Lucian tapped his glass against the man's and took a slow, unbothered sip. "Are you absolutely certain Yorick can deliver? What if that ten-billion-dollar contract doesn't actually belong to him?"

"Impossible," the tycoon said confidently. "It's a done deal. The whole city knows it."

"How much do you owe me in breach penalties?" Lucian asked casually.

"About half my net worth," the man admitted. "But compared to the Stellar Trust project, it's pocket change. If I can secure even a fraction of the steel supply for that deal, I'll be set for life."

Lucian offered a polite smile and clinked their glasses one last time. "Then I wish you the best of luck."

At that exact moment, Yorick received a highly anticipated message.

Stellar Trust was rushing the official contract documents over, and they wanted to know his exact location.