She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 406

Zeke's face darkened as he stared at him. "That was only because you and the Lonsdale boy teamed up to trick me, pushing Cyrilla over the edge. I failed her grandmother."

Before he could finish, Lucian coldly crushed his cigarette into the ashtray, instantly extinguishing the sparks.

"She's orchestrated countless pathetic, underhanded schemes simply because she's jealous and incompetent. Grandpa, don't tell me you were completely blind to it. Someone like her..."

The man stood up, his tall frame radiating a suffocating pressure. Looking down at the aging man with absolute authority, his tone left no room for debate. "Because she came from a tragic background and is still young, I gave her numerous chances to come clean and rein it in. I was even willing to keep tolerating her out of respect for you. But she crossed the line the second she targeted Loyce. She shouldn't have challenged my limits. She dug her own grave. Since you can't bring yourself to clean house," Lucian paused, his eyes turning glacial, "I'll play the villain for you and end this once and for all."

"Limits?" Zeke said deeply. "Do you really like that Lonsdale girl that much? She's so enigmatic I still can't see her true face. Do you honestly think you can handle someone like her?"

"Don't worry about it," Lucian replied, turning toward the door. His strides were steady but carried undeniable finality. "You can repay the debt you owe Cyrilla's grandmother in your own way. And I can repay the debt I owe you for saving my life with my own life. But Grandpa," he stopped at the door, not looking back, his voice low and distinct. "Those are two entirely different things. Stop using past debts to hold my present and future hostage. Times have changed. You need to open your eyes and look at the real world."

Zeke watched his grandson's tall, cold back, his eyes complex and heavy.

He should have realized long ago that the obedient grandson he had raised had matured into a military commander with absolute independence and an iron will. He was no longer a child to be easily controlled. Trying to force his hand would only exhaust whatever affection remained between them.

Fine... so be it.

The old man let out a heavy sigh, filled with profound helplessness and guilt.

In the end, he had failed his old friend's dying wish. He could only apologize in person when he finally passed on. He had done everything he could; the outcome was simply beyond his control to fix.

Lucian opened the heavy study door and walked over to Cyrilla and her mother.

Hearing the noise and seeing him, the girl immediately lifted her tear-stained face. "Lucian!"

She reached out, trying to grab his sleeve, struggling to throw herself at him as she sobbed. "Lucian!"

Her trembling hand reached for his clothes. "Lucian! Why did you help an outsider bully me? I'm innocent! It's all their fault..."

Lucian smoothly took a step back, dodging her hand, his expression utterly blank. "You're both leaving today."

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