She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 688

Channing forced a smile and greeted him, "Lucian."

Lucian gave a brief nod and asked smoothly, "What are you doing here?"

Channing chuckled defensively. "Well, I asked to join your company before, but you shut me down. I figured I needed something to do, so I asked Grandfather to let me start from the bottom in the military. I wanted to experience what your early life was like."

"The Admiral's early life?" An older, high-ranking officer passing by barked a laugh. "He was deployed to active warzones before he was legally an adult. Sitting in an office pushing paperwork is hardly the same thing, kid."

Channing's face tightened, his pride hanging by a thread. "Is that right?"

"I handle paperwork occasionally," Lucian said coolly, offering the barest shred of dignity. "It's not easy to do it right."

Channing forced a stiff smile. Surrounded by the chattering crowd, he suddenly dropped his voice and asked, "Do you hate me that much, Lucian?"

The nearby officers immediately fell silent, their eyes darting over.

Lucian didn't blink. "Why would you ask that?"

"My background is in corporate management and strategic consulting. But ever since I came back to the Shapiro family, you've been entirely cold to me. You refuse to let me help with your business. You barely speak to me at home. You even moved out recently. Today is Christmas—one of the most important days of the year—and you refused to spend it at home with me and our parents. I just don't understand."

Channing's voice dripped with manufactured hurt. "Why do you despise me so much? You already have everything... is there really no room for me?"

Listening to this spectacular display of manipulation, Loyce frowned in disgust. Lucian's hand, still resting on her waist, gave a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

Then, without an ounce of hesitation, Lucian addressed the crowd with brutal honesty.

"You're right. I don't like you. For thirty years, I believed I was an orphan with only my grandfather. Then, suddenly, my biological parents return out of nowhere, bringing along a brother who is only a few years younger than me. You, Channing, have spent your entire life leaning on your parents. I grew up surviving on my own, relying only on my grandfather and myself. You enjoyed everything I ever wanted as a child, and now you want to force me to welcome you into my life? No."

Channing's face went completely bloodless. He hadn't expected Lucian to tear him apart so publicly.

"Lucian, that wasn't my fault!"

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