She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 505

[88 Grams of Gold Just for Showing Up! The Lonsdale Family Declares Loyce Their Crown Jewel!]

[Rumors Crushed! Loyce's Homecoming Banquet Breaks Records as Lonsdales Flex Ultimate Daughter-Spoiling Power!]

Headlines like these dominated every major media outlet and trending page. The internet was in an absolute uproar of shock and envy.

"My god! That's not an invitation, that's an annual bonus!"

"Over a thousand of them?! The Lonsdales literally dropped ten million dollars just to hand out invitations? Poverty truly limits my imagination."

"Who was the idiot spreading rumors that she wasn't loved? Look at this! They're protecting her like she's the Holy Grail!"

"Does the heiress need someone to carry her bags? I have a college degree!"

Having accepted such absurdly generous gifts, the media naturally went above and beyond to flatter the family. They published exhaustive details about the manor's renovations, from the exotic flowers flown in on private jets to the Michelin-star catering teams. Every minor detail was romanticized to highlight the family's extreme wealth and dedication.

The core message of every article was identical: Loyce's position in the Lonsdale family was untouchable.

This overwhelming wave of positive press acted as an impenetrable shield around Loyce. She was no longer viewed as a stray orphan desperately trying to fit in, but a cherished princess fiercely guarded by her billionaire family. This public perception drastically elevated her safety. Anyone lurking in the shadows who wanted to cross her would now have to weigh their actions against public outrage and the full, terrifying wrath of the Lonsdale empire.

When Sybil saw the news trending on her phone, her perfectly contoured face twisted into an ugly sneer. She slammed the phone down on the table.

Why was Loyce so unkillable?! She was supposed to have died in Yavon County! Why was she back?!

Panic setting in, Sybil grabbed her phone to call Wade Windsor. The moment the line connected, Alicia marched into the room, her face dark with fury.

Sybil scrambled to hang up. "Mom..."

*Slap!*

The sharp crack echoed through the room. The force of the blow sent Sybil sprawling to the floor. She clutched her stinging cheek, staring up in disbelief. "Mom!"

He turned back to Sybil, who was still slumped on the floor. "My advice? Go to Loyce, grovel, and beg for forgiveness. Maybe she'll spare us."

"Ha!" Sybil scoffed. "I'd rather die!"

Having caught her breath, Alicia shockingly agreed with her daughter. Her voice was lethal. "He's wrong. Loyce probably knows the truth about her past by now. She's thrown down the gauntlet. She wants us dead."

Leroy's instincts flared. "What do you mean?"

Alicia stepped over the shattered porcelain and walked up to her son, her eyes devoid of warmth. "The real Lonsdale heiress was supposed to die in Yavon County over a decade ago. I had a moment of weakness, and I let her live. Now, she's definitely found witnesses there. She knows we're the reason she was taken. Do you really think that little wolf cub is going to let that slide? My dear son, are you really going to side with our enemy? Do you actually think Loyce will spare you?"

"Everything you have, I gave you," Alicia whispered, placing a hand on Leroy's shoulder. "If your father and I fall, your glamorous life vanishes. I know you look up to Lucian Shapiro and want to be a soldier, and that's fine. But Lucian has crossed too many powerful people. He's a dead man walking."

Leroy stared at his mother as if she were a total stranger, taking a slow step back, his eyes trembling with shock.

"Why? Why did you want to get rid of Loyce? She was just a toddler! She didn't know anything!"