She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 98

Loyce shook her head. “It’s late. I need to go home and eat with my grandfather. Tell him to ease up on the coffee and stay in bed more. Next week, come by the small clinic inside the base housing. The medication’s about to expire. We can move on to phase two of treatment.”

Robert nodded. “Understood.”

Loyce pulled her sunhat back on and left the Shapiro estate before sunset.

In the study, Lucian stood by a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, watching her jog farther and farther away until she became a small blur.

“The police showed up too suddenly,” he said. “Even we didn’t get advance notice.”

Behind him, a subordinate answered, “It was a surprise operation. They needed it that way to avoid tipping off the Walsh family’s real protector. That’s the only reason they managed to make arrests.”

Lucian’s voice stayed even. “Who set the trap?”

The subordinate hesitated. “Whoever it is, their hacking is too strong. We haven’t traced them yet. We’re still investigating.”

Lucian turned, expression relaxed, almost amused. “Don’t.”

The subordinate blinked. “Sir?”

“No need to investigate,” Lucian said lightly, a faint smile in his eyes. “A hero who cleaned up the city isn’t someone I need to hunt.”

…

The moment Loyce stepped into her bedroom, she sensed it—something had been touched. She scanned the room once, then walked straight to her desk and called a maid over. “Did anyone come into my room today?”

...

That night, Loyce rode her bike to the agreed bar. The moment she pushed the door open, music slammed into her like a physical force. She spotted Leroy immediately—lounging in a corner booth with a few polished, well-dressed young people.

“Well, look who finally showed.” Leroy raised his glass, the mockery in his voice obvious. “I thought you’d chicken out.”

Loyce sat down without a flicker of emotion. “What do you want?”

Leroy smiled. “My friends heard I’ve got a new cousin named Loyce. They wanted to meet you. So I brought you.”

Around him, stylish boys and glamorous girls watched her with teasing, hungry curiosity, like they’d paid for a show.