She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 456

The voice hit like a thunderbolt, freezing everyone in place as if their souls had left their bodies.

The mix of anger and humiliated exposure on Zeke's face instantly solidified into blank disbelief.

Joanna's fake sobs got stuck in her throat, and Channing's solemn expression of readiness to bear the burden froze, looking utterly ridiculous.

Zeke was the first to react, quickly following the mud-drenched soldier out. "Let's go! Go see! Medics, medics, follow!"

Soon, a large group trailed behind him out into the rain.

Loyce's tightly clenched fists hanging by her sides finally slowly unfurled, releasing the tension she'd held for days.

She rapidly grabbed all the antidotes she brought, threw on a raincoat, and followed the crowd.

The scene at the camp entrance was shocking.

A group of figures leaning on each other stumbled out from the dreary downpour.

They were in terrible shape, protective suits torn, covered head to toe in mud and ice shards, their original colors unrecognizable. Especially the man at the front—even exhausted to his limits and covered in filth, the sharp, commanding aura between his brows hadn't diminished in the slightest.

One of the man's broad shoulders was carrying the entirely unconscious, ashen-faced Forrest, while the other side was heavily supported by Robert.

One of Lucian's legs seemed injured, his steps carrying an obvious drag, but every step landed with immense stability.

"Medics! Hurry! Stretchers!"

Lucian's voice was so hoarse it was almost tearing. Rainwater continuously slid down his prominent brow bone, weighing down his eyelashes until he could barely keep his eyes open. Blood oozed from the scratches on his face.

The medical team immediately rushed forward, carefully taking the unconscious Forrest and other completely drained injured members from them.

Lucian lost all his strength at once, one knee bending as he was about to collapse. A pair of hands reached out from the side, firmly grabbing his arms.

Loyce's rain hood slipped off, the rain instantly blurring her vision. She tilted her head up to look at Lucian.

The man turned his head. Seeing it was her, his exhausted, deep eyes instantly softened. He leaned in, touching his forehead against hers, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Looks like the heavens favor your brother after all, letting me bring him back alive."

Lucian ignored his grandfather's reprimand, smoothly moving to shield Loyce behind him. This subtle movement carried an unquestionable protective intent.

"Grandpa," his voice carried an unprecedented, almost rebellious hardness. "Taking this risk was my decision. If you have any dissatisfaction, direct it at me."

Zeke choked on this direct and icy attitude, his anger flaring further. "Direct it at you? I'm asking you! Do you have any respect for me as your grandfather, or for the Shapiro family? For an outsider..."

"She is not an outsider."

Lucian cut him off decisively. His voice wasn't loud, but it cleanly pierced the rain, striking everyone's heart. "Saving her brother—professionally, Forrest is a key figure in breaking foreign tech monopolies; his value is worth the risk. Personally,"

He paused slightly, his tone absolute and unquestionable, "Everything I did was of my own free will. And I will bear all the consequences alone."

Zeke's breathing hitched, not just because Lucian had learned to talk back.

It was because, since Loyce's appearance, his grandson was slipping out of his control. He was becoming independent, disregarding the Shapiro family legacy and military power.

The old man stood in the rain for a long time, his eyes laced with disappointment and anger. "After raising you all these years, this is the first time I'm disappointed in you. No excellent soldier or businessman gets tripped up by romance. Lucian, you'd better think this through."