She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 883

Giselle kept a protective arm around Gigi, the defensive walls in her eyes as high as ever. "She's mine. Only mine."

Hank felt a sharp twinge in his chest. "I know." *For now.*

Shortly after takeoff, Giselle fell asleep.

She was utterly exhausted. She had been awake all night packing, booking tickets, and agonizing over how to put as much distance between them as possible. Now, leaning against the seat with her head tilted toward the window, her breathing finally settled into a soft, steady rhythm.

Hank turned his head, his gaze locked onto her face, unable to look away. A few stray hairs had fallen across her cheek. He raised his hand, wanting to tuck them behind her ear. His fingertips were mere inches from her skin when a loud voice boomed from the aisle.

"Mr. Lonsdale! What an incredible coincidence! I never expected to run into you here!"

Hank's hand froze. He slowly turned his head.

A man in his fifties stood there in a sharp suit, a sycophantic smile plastered across his face. Beside him stood a young woman in her early twenties, flawlessly made up, ducking her head slightly to shoot him shy, upward glances.

"I'm Zack Nash, CEO of Apex Foods. We've done business with Mr. Forrest Lonsdale's company," the man announced, stepping closer, completely oblivious to his volume. "We met briefly at the economic forum last time. I've been looking for an opportunity to chat with you—"

Hank's brow furrowed. He raised a single finger to his lips. "Keep your voice down."

Zack flinched, immediately dropping to an aggressive whisper. "Oh, my apologies, my apologies! I didn't realize you were resting..."

Hank leaned back against his seat, his tone glacial. "Do you need something?"

Zack looked a little awkward at the freezing reception, but his eager smile quickly returned. "No, nothing urgent! Just wanted to come over and pay my respects since we're on the same flight. Oh, by the way, this is my daughter, Wendy Nash. She just finished her studies overseas and moved back."

He nudged his daughter forward, his voice brimming with undisguised pride. "She's looked up to you since she was a teenager. Always talks about how Mr. Lonsdale is the most visionary entrepreneur of our generation. Meeting you in person is like meeting her idol."

Wendy stumbled a half-step forward, a delicate flush dusting her cheeks. "It's an honor, Mr. Lonsdale."

Her voice was soft and breathy, laced with a practiced shyness. She was undeniably beautiful—classic features, wide eyes, a radiant complexion. She stood there looking like a fresh, delicate flower.

She had known about him for years. The undisputed king of the defense industry, wildly rich, devastatingly handsome, and notoriously single. Whenever her socialite friends mentioned his name, it was with a tone of unreachable fantasy.

And now, the man himself was sitting right in front of her, looking even better than his magazine covers. He radiated the dangerous, intoxicating aura of an incredibly powerful man. Her heart hammered in her chest.

"Are you heading to Metropia for business, Mr. Lonsdale?" she asked sweetly, trying to strike up a conversation.

Hank didn't even look at her. His eyes had drifted back to Giselle's face—that stray lock of hair was still bothering him.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify