She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 823

Loyce had planned it out from the very beginning. Once Ares Global's inner circle was obliterated, she was going to swallow their entire empire whole.

"I'll wait for your safe return," the President said smoothly.

After ending the call, President Harding lowered his eyes, lost in deep thought.

Horace Sterling's words echoed in his mind once again. With a woman as brilliantly strategic and ruthless as Loyce acting as his shield, if Lucian ever entertained the idea of running for the presidency, Harding would stand absolutely no chance.

Back on the island, the victory banquet was in full swing.

Champagne glasses clinked over the lively chatter as the team swapped stories of the night's nail-biting moments and speculated on how the global power dynamic would shift with Ares Global wiped off the map.

The celebration stretched deep into the afternoon before people finally drifted off to rest. But as the crowd thinned, Loyce caught Lucian's hand.

"Let me show you my collection," she said, a spark dancing in her eyes.

Lucian let her lead the way. Leaning slightly on his cane, he boarded a sleek yacht with her. Loyce steered them toward a neighboring mini-island, its entrance heavily guarded by heavily armed sentries.

They navigated a labyrinth of internal corridors until they reached a massive alloy vault door.

Loyce bypassed the security with a triple-layered iris, fingerprint, and voiceprint scan. The heavy doors glided open silently.

The sight inside made even a man of Lucian's worldly experience pause in stunned silence.

It was an incredibly vast, climate-controlled circular hall. Soft light spilled from the vaulted ceiling, illuminating an awe-inspiring array of artifacts. These weren't cold weapons or high-tech espionage gear. They were priceless treasures spanning thousands of years of human civilization.

Ancient bronze tripods stood in solemn dignity. Jade discs from forgotten dynasties glowed with a warm, milky luster. There were tri-color glazed pottery horses, celadon ceramics smooth as glass, painted wooden sarcophagi from ancient Egypt, gold-leaf statues from the Hellenistic period, Renaissance oil paintings, and even cuneiform clay tablets from Mesopotamia.

Masterpieces from every corner of the globe sat quietly on display. Any single item here could cause a frenzy at a top-tier auction house, yet they were gathered here like ordinary trinkets.

"Your collection?" Lucian murmured, stepping closer to a serene stone Buddha. He hovered his fingers just inches from its peaceful face, his mind reeling. Even he had never seen so many historical artifacts in one place.

"This rivals a national museum. You bought all of this?"

"Some I bought at auction. Others... I took from people who didn't deserve to own them," Loyce replied, walking up beside him. She pointed to a section of artifacts. "Many of these were stolen during wartime and scattered across the world. They've been sitting here safely for long enough. You can take them home."

Lucian looked at her deeply.

"You know exactly how much blood and money it cost to get your hands on these. Are you seriously asking me to take them back and donate them?"

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