She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 521

Corinne dropped a casual "I'll be waiting" while holding her cat, then turned and walked away.

Just as the gift-giving segment reached its halfway point, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the banquet hall.

The piercing wail of sirens cut through the elegant music as three police cruisers screeched to a halt right outside the main doors. The lively chatter in the room died instantly, and every head turned toward the entrance.

"Police? What are they doing here?"

"Who on earth are they here to arrest?"

A dark, sinister gleam flashed in Alicia's eyes. Her lips curled into a vicious smirk. Right on time.

At the entrance, Yarden marched in, flanked by several officers from Yavon County and a few more from the Metropia Police Bureau.

Armed with an official warrant, they took their positions in the center of the hall. The lead officer from Yavon County raised a document stamped with a bright red seal, his voice booming over the lingering whispers:

"Apologies for the interruption, ladies and gentlemen! We are investigators from Yavon County, operating jointly with the Metropia Police Bureau."

The officer's face was stern, his gaze locking directly onto Loyce, who stood up on the terrace. "We are here to execute a mandatory summons for the suspect, Loyce Lonsdale!"

"Suspect?"

"A summons for Loyce?"

"The Lonsdale family's long-lost daughter is involved in a massive scandal on her very first day back?"

A dead silence fell over the crowd, immediately followed by an explosive buzz of gossip. Shock and disbelief were plastered across the guests' faces.

Ignoring the uproar, the officer continued with bureaucratic coldness. "Based on evidence and reports filed in Yavon County, Ms. Lonsdale is suspected of involvement in the disappearance of multiple villagers several days ago. Preliminary charges include suspected kidnapping and illegal detention! This is an official summons. Ms. Lonsdale, please cooperate and come with us for questioning."

The entire hall went into an uproar.

"What?! Kidnapping?!"

"That... that's impossible! Why would the heiress of the Lonsdale family kidnap villagers?"

"Good lord, tonight is just one twist after another!"

"Yavon County? Isn't that the place Alicia mentioned earlier? Could it be true? Did she really kidnap a master craftsman just to secure some fabric for the Nexus Design competition?"

The atmosphere grew incredibly tense.

A magnificent homecoming gala had just transformed into a crime scene.

Shielded by her fiercely protective family and facing a barrage of accusations, Loyce didn't show a single ounce of panic.

She gently patted her brothers' arms, signaling them to calm down. Slowly, she stepped out from behind their protective wall and met the officers' gazes with absolute tranquility.

She picked up a microphone and addressed the entire hall. "I do, in fact, know the whereabouts of those villagers. But it wasn't a kidnapping."

"How is it not kidnapping? Weren't you forcing their hand over some fabric, Ms. Lonsdale? You snatched their master craftsman against his will!" a bold socialite called out.

"And who told you I'd stoop to kidnapping over something as trivial as fabric?" Loyce shot back.

The socialite, lacking any real tact, blurted out, "Everyone was just talking about it! You and Sybil were fighting over the same material, and you abducted their master!"

Sybil immediately stepped forward, playing the peacemaker. "There must be some misunderstanding! If my cousin really wanted the fabric, I would have gladly given it to her."