She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 236

Loyce was a light sleeper. The slightest sound from outside—every breath, every shift of movement—made her eyelashes flutter, and she stirred awake. She sat up groggily, blinking. Next to her lay a pile of dismantled medical machinery.

Jasmine stepped into the lab, rubbing her arms against the sudden chill. She tried to ignore the discomfort she felt seeing Lucian’s hand resting on Loyce’s shoulder as she scanned the room for the medical system.

Loyce looked up at Lucian. “Is it time?”

He adjusted the jacket he’d placed over her. “Gavin had a change of heart. Jasmine brought a team of soldiers to take the machine back.”

“Oh,” Loyce said, comprehension dawning. She gestured lazily towards a corner. “It’s all over there.”

Everyone’s eyes followed her finger to a scattered heap of components that were vaguely recognizable as medical parts.

“You dismantled it into a pile of scrap?!” Jasmine cried in disbelief. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Gavin shut down the medical systems on all active vessels just to ensure you could return this one unit intact! And you’ve turned it into garbage!”

“Arrest this woman immediately for destroying military equipment!” Jasmine ordered.

Her soldiers exchanged uneasy glances. They were on Shapiro territory, and with Lucian standing right there, no one dared to make a move without a direct command from their own general. Jasmine seethed with frustration. “Lucian! Are you really going to protect a criminal like her?”

Lucian didn’t even spare her a glance. It was Loyce who yawned, turned her head slightly, and said, “Oh, my mistake. Not that one.”

The suit jacket slid from her shoulder as she stood, but Lucian caught it and draped it back around her. “The AC is set too low,” he said in a low voice. “You’ll catch a cold.”

Loyce walked to the other side of the parts pile and pulled back an inconspicuous black cloth, revealing a brand-new, modified medical machine. Everyone present was familiar with Gavin’s design, but this new device was both similar and strikingly different. It was several times more complex, with numerous new components they didn’t recognize.

Lucian’s expression remained calm. “And you should remember your promise.”

Jasmine blinked. “What promise?”

“Your promise to submit your resignation,” he said, his tone even. “For your gross negligence and significant failures in reporting on the medical system, which caused immense losses for the navy and the public.”

A knot of dread formed in Jasmine’s stomach. He remembered something she’d said in a moment of anger. She gave him a long, hard look.

“I’m not resigning. I did nothing wrong. The only person at fault here is you, Lucian. The legendary Admiral, losing his mind over a girl. You’re being a fool. I can’t believe I was so wrong about you. I’ll be waiting for you at the base,” she snapped, then spun around and marched out with her soldiers.

Once they were gone, Zeke slowly entered the cold lab. “Are you sure this modified machine can actually pass the military’s inspection?”