She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 799

Luna's legs felt like jelly; Channing was practically carrying her. He threw his weight against a heavy back door, bursting out into a lively bar district. The sun had set, and the streets were packed with people.

Channing dragged Luna into a crowded, dimly lit club, instantly blending into the throng of bodies on the dance floor.

When their pursuers burst out into the alley, the crowd was too dense. Unable to pinpoint them in the chaos, the men made a show of scanning the area before scattering in different directions.

Wearing a face mask, the massive Storm tapped his earpiece and let out a low chuckle. "Those two idiots were hiding under a table, and I had to pretend I couldn't see them."

On the other end of the line, Nightingale stared at her monitors. "That's enough. Now we just wait for the bait to be taken. That brainless princess is going to deliver the exact message we want to her daddy."

Robert, who was standing beside Nightingale, scratched his head. "How is an international arms dealer's daughter so incredibly dense? Compared to our boss lady, she's a total joke."

"If she were actually smart, Channing wouldn't have been able to manipulate her," Nightingale replied. "She's Ares' only daughter. She's been far too sheltered."

Robert grinned. "I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they realize the infamous Mr. X is actually our Mrs. Shapiro."

...

The second they scrambled back to their dingy hostel, Luna relayed the intel directly to her father, with Channing corroborating every detail.

Channing was genuinely panicked. He looked at Baldwin. "Dad, I've heard rumors about this X Arms Syndicate. They've always been strictly neutral, refusing to align with any government. They only deal with cartels and rogue factions. But now they're partnering with Harmony Country! Do you realize what kind of power they're handing over? I heard they control an entire uranium mine! That's the raw material for nuclear weapons!"

Baldwin's face was grim, rubbing his jaw. "X and Ares have clashed over territory before. It's not surprising it escalated to this. Did they see you?"

Channing shook his head. "Luna accidentally knocked over a vase, but I got her out."

Baldwin's face paled. "Pack everything. We leave right now! If they tracked us back here, we're all dead."

"The message is out," Channing said frantically. "Ares is going to send reinforcements immediately. Yale Nash is going to find out, and with Luna involved, he can't just sit back and watch."

And so, Baldwin's family, looking like fleeing refugees, didn't even have time to pack properly before abandoning the hostel in a blind panic.

...

The polite smile vanished from the President's face, replaced by a dark, calculating stare.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Horace was blunt. "During the recent rescue op involving Lucian, my daughter took part. She cleared most of the obstacles and saved lives, but she failed to hold the line at the critical moment. It was a life-or-death scenario, so I don't blame her. But the fact remains, Lucian is the only one I want."

The President leaned forward, steepling his fingers on the pristine mahogany desk. "Horace, Lucian is a national hero. He is an asset to this country, not a 'commodity' to be traded. Furthermore, if you want him, that is a choice only he can make."

"A choice?" Horace chuckled, the sound dry and devoid of warmth. "Mr. President, we both know very few things in this world are truly left to personal choice. Especially for someone as resilient, brilliant, and uniquely positioned as Lucian. His value has long surpassed the realm of personal autonomy."

The President frowned, falling back on political rhetoric. "Regardless of his value, he is first and foremost a soldier of Harmony Country, protected by our laws. Any decisions regarding his future must align with national interests and his own desires. The foundation for your 'transaction' simply does not exist."

"National interests?" Horace finally met his gaze. Those sharp eyes, forged in decades of cutthroat corporate warfare, pierced right through the President. "Tell me, Mr. President. What is your most urgent 'national interest' right now? Ensuring the country continues on your desired path after you step down? Or..." He paused deliberately, watching the micro-expressions on the President's face. "Watching it fall into the hands of a man who could easily dismantle your entire legacy, and perhaps even put a target on your back?"

The President's pupils contracted slightly. He remained silent, but his clenched jaw betrayed his internal shock.