She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 177

“Is this the fiancée you prepared for me?” Lucian’s voice was cold as he stared at Zeke. “What century are we living in? You expect me to sacrifice my marriage to settle a debt of gratitude you owe?”

He could tolerate his grandfather’s whims in most matters, knowing he could always clean up the mess. But on this, he couldn’t yield. The mere flicker of Loyce’s face in his mind made it impossible.

Zeke frowned. “Lucian! The Shapiros have always honored their word. Do you think a promise becomes meaningless just because times have changed?”

“Grandpa,” Lucian said, meeting the old man’s gaze directly. “I will follow your lead on anything else, but not my marriage.”

The room fell silent. Staring into his grandson’s unwavering eyes, Zeke had a sudden realization. “It’s because of that girl from the Lonsdale family, isn’t it?”

Lucian’s jaw tightened, but he responded with cold logic. “It’s not because of anyone. How old am I? Are you unaware of my health condition? Don’t push me into marriage just to fulfill a promise. Think about that girl. Look how young she is. She deserves a better life, not to be wasted on me.”

Zeke studied his grandson for a long moment before speaking again. “It is because of the Lonsdale girl. Otherwise, you would never be saying any of this.”

Lucian had always been a man of few words, his mind consumed by national affairs and his duties at sea, leaving little room for personal considerations. Normally, he wouldn’t have cared who he married; without love, it was all the same. This uncharacteristic, well-reasoned refusal was highly abnormal—unless he finally had someone he genuinely cared about. And the only person Lucian had been close to recently, as far as Zeke could tell, was that striking, unconventional young woman, Loyce.

Lucian’s pupils contracted slightly, his fingers unconsciously tracing the cufflink on his military uniform.

The antique grandfather clock in the study ticked rhythmically, measuring the weight of the silence.

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