She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130

During the two days that the piano competition was open for online submissions, Sybil was incredibly active on social media. Her proudest moment came when the competition’s official website selected her audition video to be featured in the exemplary submissions section, where it played on a loop. Everyone praised her natural talent, calling her a born pianist.

As for Loyce?

The mockery was endless. Everyone in their circle knew she had registered, but as the submission period closed, there was no sign of her audition video. The prevailing theory was that she had been bluffing and couldn’t produce anything good enough to even pass the preliminary round.

Robert’s duties had now expanded. In addition to his usual work reports, he now gave his admiral a daily briefing on Loyce’s situation.

“The public is still tearing into Loyce, and the Lonsdales haven’t made a move. The consensus is that they’re about to disown her.”

A thoughtful look crossed Lucian’s eyes. “What has she been doing lately?”

“She’s just been going back and forth between her university lab and the military housing compound. A simple routine. She hasn’t been back to the Lonsdale estate at all.”

“Do you think… maybe she’s truly heartbroken this time? That’s why she’s not going home?” Robert ventured, then added boldly, “Perhaps you should go see her, sir?”

Lucian’s fingers, which had been tapping lightly on his desk, stilled. He looked up. “It’s their family affair. Why would I get involved?”

If he went, the girl would probably just stare at him with those calm eyes

1/4

120

Chapter 130

and say, “You don’t need to help. I can handle it.”

At the thought, Lucian’s eyebrow twitched. He suddenly realized that Loyce, though barely in her twenties and at an age where she should be cherished by her parents, possessed a maturity and inner strength far beyond her years. She didn’t trust anyone but herself.

That wasn’t a good thing.

Lucian suddenly stood, grabbed the jacket from the back of his chair, and eft the office.

After a long morning in the lab, Loyce stretched her sore neck, took off her white lab coat, and glanced at her phone.

Scott from CoreWell Pharmacy had sent her a message.

The Sampson family is willing to trade 70% of their company’s shares for he life of their eldest son, Hamilton Sampson. Boss, are you taking this ob or not?]

_oyce stared at the message for a long moment, mentally calculating the Sampson family’s current market value. Their company was on the verge of bankruptcy, with total assets not exceeding five hundred million.

A smirk touched Loyce’s lips. This job? She’d take it.

Earlier that day, a neighbor at the compound had brought her a packed lunch. She had just taken a few bites when an unexpected visitor arrived. The lab door swung open. Lucian stood there, a dark suit jacket draped over his arm. The top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, offering a glimpse of his collarbones and the lean muscle beneath.

As he entered, he saw the young woman huddled in a corner by a lab bench, eating from a container of… something. When she looked up at him, her eyes were momentarily bewildered, and with a grain of rice

2/4

Chapter 130

clinging to the corner of her mouth, she looked surprisingly pathetic.

Lucian walked over and peered into her bowl at the unidentifiable “white roots.” He frowned. “This is what you’re eating for lunch?”

Loyce was baffled by his sudden concern. “What’s wrong with it? Is there something wrong with your health again?”

She put down her lunch box, stood up, and pulled on a pair of medical gloves. “Sit down. What’s the problem?”

Not wanting to admit he had come just for her, Lucian went along with it and sat on a nearby stool. “My neck, I think. It’s a bit sore. Maybe a side effect of the medication.”

Loyce blinked. “Your neck?”

She picked up a penlight and switched it on. Cupping his jaw with one hand, she shone the light onto his chiseled face.

They were so close he could feel her breath. The faint scent of antiseptic from her clothes, mixed with something sweet, drifted to his nose.

“Have you been having any nerve pain lately?”

‘No.”

Loyce then asked him to stick out his tongue, her palm still supporting his sharp jawline as she continued her examination.

Lucian let her maneuver him, his breathing unconsciously slowing. His Adam’s apple bobbed as his gaze drifted to her lips, so close to his.

A single grain of rice was still stuck to the corner of her mouth, trembling slightly with each breath, like a kitten that had been caught stealing food. On impulse, he raised his hand, his thumb brushing against her lips.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify