Dozens of eligible bachelors were instantly mesmerized by Loyce's ethereal face and flawless figure.
Tonight, she was the untouchable princess of the Lonsdale empire, an absolute vision of perfection in the eyes of every man in the room.
Among the crowd, a particular young heir stood staring. He hadn't seen Loyce in a long time—mostly because Lucian had guarded her like a human fortress—but seeing her now, his eyes were clouded with pure obsession.
She had blossomed into something extraordinary. Like a diamond finally wiped clean of dust, the whole world could finally see her true value.
Down on the main floor, Marcella, having just won her verbal war, was gently escorted up the grand staircase to stand beside Loyce.
Faced with such an overwhelming crowd, Marcella looked a little out of her element. "I'm too old to be put on display like this."
"You're my family," Loyce smiled warmly. "Of course you have to be up here for the most important moment."
Grandpa Gordon nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We are all one family. I will never forget how wonderfully you treated our Loyce."
Loyce linked one arm through her grandfather's and the other through Marcella's. Standing squarely behind her were her three extraordinarily successful brothers. The five of them stood at the edge of the balcony, a united front.
Gordon, looking vibrant and sharp in a tailored traditional suit, beamed with pride. He patted Loyce's hand before projecting his booming, emotionally charged voice across the hall.
"Distinguished guests, dear friends, good evening."
"Thank you all for gracing us with your presence tonight to celebrate the homecoming of my precious granddaughter, Loyce." The old patriarch paused, a glimmer of genuine emotion shining in his eyes. "The jewel of the Lonsdale family was lost to us for many years, but today, she has finally returned. This is the greatest blessing my family has received in decades!"
Thunderous, deeply sincere applause erupted from the floor.
Glasses were raised high in the air as toasts were offered.
Gordon turned slightly, looking at Loyce with pure adoration, before his sharp gaze subtly swept down to where Edgar and his family stood. "Tonight, I, along with her three brothers and her grandmother, host this banquet with one clear purpose. We want to tell everyone—every single powerful family in Metropia—that our beloved daughter has returned! Whatever she was deprived of in the past, this family will repay her a thousand times over. Whatever she desires, she will have. The Lonsdale family is her absolute shield! No one will ever be allowed to cause her even the slightest grievance again!"
His words echoed like thunder. It was a grand declaration, but more importantly, it was a lethal warning.
Forrest stepped forward. "Welcome home, Loyce. You are the sole daughter of the Lonsdale family, our only sister. We will always stand right beside you."
Morris and Hank stepped up simultaneously, flanking her like two impenetrable walls.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: She Was the Treasure All Along