She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 474

While her brothers sat around the dining table practically sharpening their knives, Loyce simply said, "You don't need to rush to my defense. What if she really just caught me in the frame by accident?"

Hank looked at her with deep suspicion. "Loyce, I know for a fact you aren't that naive."

"If you're too nice, people will walk all over you," he lectured earnestly.

Loyce burst out laughing. "Don't worry about me, Hank. I've got this."

After dinner, Loyce changed into athletic wear and headed out for a night run to rebuild the strength in her leg.

As she finished her first lap around the massive manor grounds, she ran into Lucian Shapiro, who was also in running gear.

She slowed her pace. "What a coincidence."

Lucian nodded, his expression perfectly stoic. "A huge coincidence."

Ever since their kiss, they hadn't seen much of each other. Lucian had been going out of his mind wanting to see her, so the second he spotted her running, he had scrambled into his workout clothes and staged an "accidental" run-in.

He handed her a bottle of water. "Are you really not going to handle the PR nightmare online? This keeps happening. Are you just going to let them get away with it?"

Loyce took a drink. A bead of sweat slipped down her neck and disappeared beneath her collar. She exhaled softly. "I don't need to respond. The truth will come out soon enough."

Lucian fell into step beside her, strolling down the tree-lined path. His voice was warm. "So, what's keeping you busy lately?"

"Scouting for models, mostly." Loyce casually mentioned the Bloomberry project as if it were just small talk.

For prestigious fashion events like the Nexus Design competition, brands typically relied on A-list celebrities or top-tier supermodels to walk the runway. Giselle Turner's four-season collection was nearing the final production stage, which meant locking down runway talent had to happen immediately.

The problem was, Loyce didn't exactly run in Hollywood circles. The only celebrities she actually knew were Holt and Flavia Lattimore. Flavia was too old to fit Bloomberry's edgy, youthful aesthetic. Holt was perfect—a massive pop star with a face carved by angels—but even with him locked in, she still desperately needed a female star.

Loyce had no idea who to ask.

"I actually have a friend who perfectly fits what you're looking for. And she happens to be in the country shooting a movie right now," Lucian suggested after a moment's thought. "I have to run an errand near her set tomorrow anyway. Want to come with me?"

Loyce nodded. "Sure."

Lucian smiled. As they moved from the dark canopy of the trees into the glow of a streetlamp, Loyce abruptly stopped and grabbed his arm. "Wait."

He froze, looking down at her. "What's wrong?"

Loyce went up on her tiptoes, reaching up to touch his face. Her brow furrowed.

The area was also packed with tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite A-listers.

Loyce stepped out of the car and looked around. The place was swarming with people.

"There's a great spot for burgers and beers near here, but since it's the weekend, the crowds are pretty insane." Lucian naturally reached out and settled a baseball cap onto Loyce's head. "Too many eyes around here. Best to keep a low profile. Someone is coming to grab you in a minute. I'm going to take care of my business and I'll meet up with you after."

Thinking for a second, Lucian pulled a sleek, mini taser from his pocket and pressed it into her hand. "Call me if anything happens."

Loyce stared at the weapon, completely baffled. "I really don't need this."

"Humor me. I'll worry otherwise," he said, his eyes intensely serious.

Loyce finally sighed and accepted the gesture.

A few minutes later, a young woman in casual blue clothes bounded up to them. From fifty yards away, she was already waving frantically and shouting, "Ms. Lonsdale!"

Loyce thought the girl looked vaguely familiar from a distance, but up close, the realization clicked.

"Hazel?"