She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 781

Soon, they found Hank. He was flanked by the Colombo family's godfather, a few key lieutenants, and Karina.

The positioning of both factions made it look like their discussion revolved entirely around the woman.

Like a venomous, vibrant vine wrapping around a tree of power, Karina leaned against Hank. They stood intimately close, with his hand resting openly on her waist. Their affectionate display was clear for everyone in the room to see.

Loyce lowered her voice. "Hank is about to ask the Colombos to hand her over, but it's all just an act."

Giselle wore a mask, hiding whatever expression might be flickering across her face. Her tone, however, was dead calm. "It might be an act for him, but that woman has genuinely fallen for him."

She turned to Loyce. "It's easy to tell when a woman is in love. Her eyes give her away."

Loyce remained silent. She couldn't argue with that. Few women could resist the deliberate charm her brother exuded. With his towering physique, intimidating status, boundless wealth and power, and that flawless face, staying detached was nearly impossible.

"What do you need me to do?" Giselle asked.

"Get her attention," Loyce replied.

Giselle gave a wry smile. She had already gotten Karina's attention before—in the most humiliating way possible.

Loyce slipped away into the shadows, leaving Giselle to make her move.

Seeing Karina step away from the men, Giselle gathered her skirt and glided over. The two women stood shoulder to shoulder at the bar, waiting for the bartender to pour their drinks.

Karina turned. A single glance was all it took to recognize the girl beside her. A playful, mocking smirk touched her lips. "Ah, the naive little rabbit. Hank's little plaything."

Karina slapped Giselle hard across the face. The strike was solid, sending Giselle's mask clattering to the floor.

But Giselle wasn't one to just take a beating. Knowing she needed to draw the room's attention, she lashed out, kicking Karina sharply in the leg. Karina, who easily had the reflexes to defend herself, purposely stumbled backward—landing perfectly into a solid, waiting embrace.

The man catching her was none other than Hank. He hadn't been far away, noticed the commotion instantly, and was the first to intervene.

The moment Karina collapsed into his arms, every eye in the banquet hall snapped toward them like spotlights.

Seeing Giselle's unmasked face in the middle of a masquerade ball, Hank felt a surge of pure fury.

He couldn't fathom why she was here. Under the scrutiny of so many dangerous eyes, the situation had just become incredibly volatile.