She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 436

"Is that Morris next to her? God, you can't take your eyes off him no matter how many times you see him. He's that genius piano maestro from the music festival, second only to Mr. X."

"The Lonsdale family genetics are just... completely unfair."

Baldwin Shapiro overheard the whispers. Plastering a warm, enthusiastic smile onto his face, he led Joanna, Channing, and his date quickly over to greet them.

"Mr. Lonsdale, it is an absolute honor! Seeing you in person today, you look as vigorous and commanding as ever!" Baldwin extended his hand to Gordon first, his tone respectful but layered with forced familiarity. "I'm Baldwin Shapiro. This is my wife, Joanna. And this is my son, Channing, along with his friend, Vivian. We are so thrilled you could grace our home tonight."

Joanna immediately flashed a graceful, practiced smile. Her eyes swept quickly over Loyce and Morris, full of calculation and appraisal. "It's wonderful to meet you, Mr. Lonsdale. And these must be your grandchildren? What an incredibly stunning pair. It's a joy just looking at them."

Joanna's words sounded sweet, but they carried a stiff, rehearsed politeness.

Standing beside her, Channing actively extended a hand to Morris, his tone smooth and pleasant. "I've heard so much about you."

Channing's date also offered her hand to Loyce, speaking in heavily accented, broken English. "Hello. I am Channing's girlfriend, Luna."

Loyce shook her hand lightly. "Hello."

After brief introductions, Morris was quickly swarmed by several heiresses eager to discuss music and art. Gordon ran into a few old friends and got roped into a conversation. He wanted Loyce to stay by his side, but she shook her head. "I'm a bit hungry. I'm going to grab a bite."

Loyce wandered leisurely over to the dessert station by herself. From across a towering champagne pyramid, she heard Baldwin asking Channing, "Where's your brother? Why isn't he here yet?"

"He might have been delayed by something," Channing replied.

Beside him, Luna sneered. "Delayed by what? He obviously just doesn't want to come. Since we got back, there have been multiple family dinners and he hasn't shown his face once. For a guy who's about to drop dead, he's incredibly rude."

Loyce's eyes narrowed slightly. She bypassed the dessert table, walked straight up to them, and locked eyes with Luna. "Excuse me, what did you just say?"

Seeing her reaction, Channing smoothly wrapped an arm around Luna's waist and offered a gentle explanation. "Luna is French; she's not very fluent in the local language yet. She was just suggesting I give my brother a call to see when he's arriving."

Loyce raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Channing turned to Luna and murmured in French, "Don't say such ugly things. There are too many people around."

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