She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 68

“Could her status really be higher than ours?” Adele’s mind flashed with the thought. Then she strangled it immediately. “Impossible. She must be sleeping with some rich man.”

“I’ll call Keegan and ask,” Quiana said, already pulling out her phone.

But before she could dial, the mall’s public announcement system crackled to life.

“Attention: Allview Plaza will be cleared immediately for Ms. Lonsdale. All stores will suspend operations for two hours.”

“What?!” Quiana snapped her head up.

The lights across the mall dimmed. Shoppers were directed out in a steady stream. Through the shifting crowd, they could just barely see the boutique swallowed in a bright spotlight. More than a dozen men in black filed in, forming a tight perimeter and blocking the view. Then, from within, they escorted a young woman out.

Adele’s voice trembled. “W-What is happening?”

A sick feeling climbed Quiana’s spine. “It can’t be… Loyce…”

“No,” Adele hissed. “There were other girls in there too. She’s a nobody from the countryside. She can’t be the Lonsdales’ daughter.”

Nearby, another group of furious socialites had also been pushed out. Sybil’s face was bloodless. One of her friends shouted at security, “Are you blind? Sybil is also part of the Lonsdale family. How dare you throw us out!”

The guards exchanged looks, called upstairs for confirmation, then turned back with stiff politeness. “We’re sorry. Our instruction is to clear the mall only for the Lonsdale family’s eldest daughter. No other guests may remain inside. The list contains her name only. Not yours.”

“What do you mean?” Yuna clung to Sybil’s arm, furious. “Sybil, you’re the Lonsdale girl, aren’t you? What is that country nobody compared to you? They have to be clearing the mall for you!”

Sybil couldn’t force even a single smile. “I’ll make a call.”

She stepped away from her clique and phoned Hank, explaining what was happening. The reply she got was a casual, almost lazy apology.

“Sorry, Sybil. I just wanted Loyce to have a good day shopping. I forgot about you.”

Sybil’s heart dropped. She kept her tone sweet anyway. “It’s fine if I’m asked to leave. But could you at least let my friends back in to shop?”

“I’ll handle it,” Hank said. “Stick with Loyce and have fun.”

“After a full workup,” he said, “Mom’s condition hasn’t improved. It’s getting worse.”

Adele went pale. “How can that be? Quiana got the prescription from the Walsh family’s ‘genius doctor.’ And she massages my legs every day.”

At the mention of the Walsh family, Byron’s brow tightened. Ever since Hamilton’s condition had spiraled, Byron had stopped trusting their so-called medical expertise. Sapphire Walsh’s prescription hadn’t saved anyone.

“For now, just take pain medication,” Byron said quietly. “Stop taking whatever Sapphire prescribed.”

Adele’s mind jumped to Hamilton. “Then what about Hamilton? How is he? Is he recovering?”

Byron shook his head and let out a heavy breath. “His leg nerves are dying. The best option we’ve agreed on… is amputation, to prevent further deterioration.”

Adele stared at him, stunned, her voice turned shrill. “Amputation?! How did we get here? Back when I and your dad were still abroad, Hamilton told me he was fine. He could run, he could jump, he could work—he was healthy!”

Byron went silent, then said carefully, “Before Loyce was thrown out… that was true.”