She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 517

"I ran a facial recognition sweep on your brother's new fiancée. Guess what? No entry records in any customs database in Harmony Country. She smuggled herself in. Completely off the grid. Considering our airports have some of the tightest border security in the world, I dug into the exact flight she took with Channing's family."

"She definitely walked off that plane with them."

"Someone high up in customs deliberately let her slip through. You don't bypass security like that without high-level clearance and a massive bribe."

Lucian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Did you look into her bank accounts?"

"Not a single cent to her name," Quintin reported. "Your brother, however, brought back some serious capital from overseas. But on paper, it's totally clean—all legitimate income and trust fund payouts. Not a single red flag anywhere."

Lucian let out a cold laugh. "Zero red flags is the biggest red flag there is. Keep a close eye on them."

"You got it."

The next day, Lucian returned to the Shapiro estate and received an elegant invitation from the butler, sent by the Lonsdale family.

He glanced at the card, then stopped the butler just as he was about to leave. "For these kinds of galas... the guest of honor usually has to dance, right?"

The butler paused, turning back with a respectful nod. "Yes, sir. Especially someone of Ms. Lonsdale's status. I imagine a lot of eligible bachelors will be practically fighting for a dance with her."

Fighting for a dance with her?

The very thought made Lucian's expression turn glacial. "Find me a dance instructor."

The butler blinked, sure he had misheard. "Excuse me? Find you a what?"

"I am going to dance at this gala," Lucian stated, flicking the invitation. "Do I need to repeat myself?"

"N-no, sir!" the butler stammered quickly. "I'll have a professional instructor here for you tonight at the latest."

Lucian was pleased with the efficiency. "Appreciate it."

This put the lesser-tier socialite daughters—who relied heavily on strategic marriages to maintain their own lifestyles—on high alert. Many already had their eyes on prime bachelor targets, but tonight, all it would take was one beckoning finger from the Lonsdale heiress to steal them away.

The whispers in the room were starkly divided. The elders offered glowing compliments, while the younger crowd murmured catty remarks.

Alicia and Edgar Lonsdale arrived right on time, accompanied by Sybil.

As the closest relatives to the main Lonsdale branch, their every move was closely scrutinized. Almost immediately, someone approached Edgar to ask if the rumors were true about Macrostar Production changing hands.

Faced with the slightly invasive questions, Edgar played the role of the beleaguered, responsible uncle perfectly.

He offered a weary, benevolent smile. "To be completely honest, Macrostar was indeed left to Loyce by my late cousin when it was just a struggling startup. If her parents hadn't passed in that tragic accident, I would have never touched it. But Loyce was so young, and the company was bleeding money. I couldn't bear to watch her parents' last legacy vanish before it even got off the ground. That's the only reason I stepped in to manage it."

"It sounds like you've been a deeply devoted uncle to her," a guest commented approvingly.

"Macrostar's valuation has surpassed ten billion now," Edgar continued smoothly. "It is my life's work. If my niece wants it back, I will hand it over without a second thought. I only pray she treats her parents' legacy with the respect it deserves."