She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 229

Loyce turned her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I told you I wouldn't take your mother's herbal pudding for free."

...

Meanwhile, Cyrilla had the butler arrange a car to take her two friends home. She completely forgot Giselle was still there, pointedly ignoring the poor girl.

The butler said nothing. He managed the entire Shapiro estate and was well aware of Cyrilla's petty schemes. He wouldn't remind her of her manners; he would simply watch and wait to see how it all ended for her.

Giselle's tutoring session with Loyce lasted until one in the morning. Hearing that Loyce was still in her lab, Lucian entered, bringing a gust of cold night air with him. His military dress jacket was draped over his arm, the top two buttons of his shirt undone. His gaze first fell on Loyce, and only after confirming she was alright did he look at the unfamiliar girl in the corner.

"And who is this?" he asked.

"Giselle, Cyrilla's classmate," Loyce introduced her briefly. "I'm helping her with some tutoring."

Lucian raised an eyebrow. Looking at the table covered in research data and mechanical components, he wondered if she thought she was superhuman.

"It's after one a.m.," he said, glancing at his watch. "You should get her home."

Only then did it occur to Loyce that a high school student, unlike her, couldn't function on so little sleep.

"Right. I'll take her home, then. I don't want her mother worrying she's out somewhere she shouldn't be." She stood up, deciding to see Giselle's home for herself. She wanted to know where the 'Frost Peppermint' came from.

Giselle hastily packed her bag. "N-no, you don't have to. I can get home by myself..."

"I'll take her," Lucian said, already picking up his car keys. He turned to Loyce. "You should stay here and get some rest tonight. I'll make sure she gets home safely."

The door to the house opened quickly, revealing a woman wearing an apron, her hands dusted with flour. Seeing the two people behind her daughter, she froze.

"And who are these two?" Emma asked.

Giselle quickly made the introductions. "This is my tutor, and this is... Cyrilla's..." The word 'boyfriend' crossed her mind, but she quickly corrected herself. "...Cyrilla's family. He's in the military and was kind enough to drive me home because it was so late."

Hearing Lucian was a soldier, most of Emma's apprehension vanished. She warmly invited them inside. "I was just making a late-night snack. Please, come in and have something to eat."

Lucian was about to refuse, noting the late hour, but Loyce, catching the aroma of the food, spoke up. "Actually, I am a bit hungry."

Her unusual reaction tipped Lucian off that something was amiss. He lowered his voice. "Then we'd be delighted to join you. Thank you for your hospitality."