She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 726

Zelie's body shook violently as she sobbed, unable to form a single word.

Marcella sighed. The damage was done, and pointing fingers wouldn't change the reality of the situation. She gently patted Zelie's shoulder. "The house Loyce bought is stunning. Move in, plant a garden, take walks in the park—it'll be a peaceful life. I'll come visit you when I can. Let's just leave it at that."

...

The highly contested A7 and A8 plots of land were officially surrendered to the state following the legal downfall of Edgar Lonsdale and his wife. A team of archaeological experts conducted a massive evaluation, and Alastair Windsor stepped up to the podium to deliver the final verdict.

The findings were staggering: deep beneath the two plots rested an ancient tomb, heavily believed to belong to King Vorlag the Fierce. Scans revealed lethal concentrations of mercury and toxic gasses trapped within. With current technology, safely excavating the site without destroying it was impossible.

As a result, the government placed immediate protective measures over the land, rendering it entirely un-developable until future technological advancements allowed for a safe dig.

And that's when the ultimate ironic twist hit.

During the previous land auction, Loyce had manipulated the board into buying an empty plot far from The Belfry. Because it was located on the outskirts, the sheer square footage dwarfed the expensive downtown plots—making it the exact dimensions required for the Olympic stadium.

When government officials walked through the doors of the Sampson family's struggling office, Byron Sampson was so overwhelmed with shock he nearly collapsed, needing his assistant to hold him up.

Byron's face was a map of disbelief, his voice trembling. "You're saying... this project is going to be built on our land?"

"Exactly," the official confirmed. "If you have no objections, and our final surveys check out, we intend to construct the main Olympic stadium right on your property. We'll email the contracts and technical specs to you shortly for your review."

Only after ushering the officials out did Byron finally collapse into his desk chair. His assistant practically vibrated with excitement. "Oh my god! Our stock is going to skyrocket! We're about to be filthy rich, Mr. Sampson!"

The Sampson family had coasted on Loyce's coattails for years, only managing to stay afloat recently because of her covert financial backing. Now, with an Olympic stadium landing on their lap, the family was poised to reclaim their former glory overnight.

Staring blankly at the unread email on his monitor, Byron muttered, "The Sampson family has literally been surviving off Loyce this entire time. It's all because of her..."

"No need, Dennis. I'm traveling under the radar this time," Loyce replied. "Given how many people have a target on my back right now, I'd rather not draw a crowd."

"Fair enough. Just give me a ring when you're close."

Leaving her security detail on standby down the block, Loyce took a leisurely stroll down the tree-lined avenue leading to the academy, carrying a simple brown paper bag.

It happened to be the academy's open campus day, meaning tourists could wander the grounds without an appointment. Loyce slipped through the gates effortlessly.

The campus was stunning in the early spring light, teeming with tourists snapping photos near the architectural landmarks. Carrying her paper bag, Loyce blended perfectly into the crowd, looking like just another visitor admiring the intersection of historic charm and modern art. She headed straight for the music department's main building, where Dennis's office was located.

Sure enough, on the manicured lawn out front, a massive bulletin board drew a dense crowd.

Pinned to the center was a high-resolution, blown-up copy of the ancient score. The side notes indicated it was Dean Dennis's private collection, inviting students and 'brilliant minds' to attempt a restoration. Naturally, it had attracted a swarm of self-proclaimed prodigies and curious onlookers all loudly debating its origins.