She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 687

"Commander Windsor, Director Ludlow, regarding the approval process for that new equipment batch I mentioned earlier, do you think we could perhaps..." Channing wore a sycophantic smile, leaning in toward the laughing, high-ranking officers with his glass raised, desperately trying to insert himself into their inner circle.

However, the men with stars gleaming on their epaulets merely cast him a dismissive glance. Commander Windsor didn't even bother to hide his annoyance as he cut him off: "It's a Christmas party, Shapiro. We aren't discussing work. As for your process, follow standard protocol like everyone else."

The brush-off was loud and humiliatingly clear.

Director Ludlow didn't even acknowledge him, immediately turning his back to resume his conversation with someone else, leaving Channing stranded.

They might give old man Zeke Shapiro some face, but they had absolutely zero respect for a grandson who had parachuted into the military on the coattails of his family name, parading around under the guise of "gaining experience."

Channing's smile calcified. His raised glass hovered awkwardly in the air, a hot flush of embarrassment and fury crawling up his neck.

*If we weren't in Harmony Country,* he thought venomously, *I would have these arrogant old fools pinned to the floor and use them as footstools!*

Beside him, Luna acutely felt the icy reception. Displeased, she muttered in French, "How much more humiliation do I have to endure following you back to your country?"

"I'm working on it," Channing hissed under his breath. "It won't be much longer."

Just then, a massive ripple of commotion surged at the entrance of the banquet hall. It was as if a magnet had suddenly drawn everyone's attention, the collective murmur of the crowd nearly drowning out the jazz band.

"It's Admiral Shapiro!"

"He actually showed up!"

"Is that Ms. Loyce with him? She's even more stunning in person than on the news!"

The exact same men—Commander Windsor and Director Ludlow—who had just treated Channing like a pest, suddenly had their eyes light up. Their faces transformed, sporting wide, enthusiastic, and highly respectful smiles as they practically shoved past Channing to rush the entrance.

"Admiral! Merry Christmas!"

"Ms. Loyce, it is an absolute honor! Your heroic actions in Serrania were nothing short of spectacular!"

The brass swarmed Lucian and Loyce, shaking hands and offering effusive praise. The sheer difference in how they treated Lucian compared to Channing was staggering.

Channing stood frozen, watching the crowd part for Lucian and Loyce like royalty. He felt like a street rat that had just been kicked out of a ballroom to make way for the king.

He looked down at the woman in his arms, his dark eyes filled with absolute certainty and unyielding devotion. "It could only ever be her."

"Whoa—!"

Someone let out a low whistle, and the crowd immediately erupted into good-natured cheers, applause, and congratulatory toasts.

A young woman, wearing the exact same Bloomberry outfit Loyce had worn to court, eagerly pushed her way to the front. "Oh my god, you're my idol! Can I get a picture with you? You are so badass!"

Loyce happily posed for the photo, then asked, "Is the outfit comfortable?"

"Incredibly comfortable!" the girl nodded excitedly. "I thought this design was just meant to look sharp, but it feels amazing! I'm so lucky I bought it when I did. They're back-ordered until next year, and international buyers are fighting us for them!"

Loyce smiled. "Bloomberry is expanding production factories to keep up with demand as fast as we can."

After making the requisite polite rounds with the officers, Channing finally navigated through the crowd with Luna to confront the couple.