She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 543

Terrified by the sheer, imposing aura radiating from Hank, Yolene gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, and spat out a venomous "Just you wait!" before turning and fleeing the scene.

Renee clicked her tongue in amusement. "She must have found a sugar daddy even more powerful than you. She wouldn't have the guts otherwise."

"More powerful than me?" Hank drawled, his tone lazy and arrogant. "In this entire country, only the top brass in the government get to speak to me on equal footing."

Loyce blinked up at him. Those bright, expressive eyes of hers always made a soft spot ache in Hank's chest.

He affectionately pinched her cheek. "Aren't you going to buy me dinner?"

"I definitely owe you a meal. You really saved the day," Loyce agreed, gently batting his hand away. "What do you want to eat?"

Just as she spoke, a little girl ran up to them hugging a massive bouquet. "Ms. Lonsdale! Ms. Lonsdale! Congratulations flowers for you!"

The massive arrangement of yellow roses was practically shoved into Loyce's arms before the little girl giggled and sprinted away.

Loyce inhaled the sweet fragrance, then looked at Hank in exasperation. "Hank, why are you sending me roses? Please don't use your playboy tactics on me. It's weird."

"It wasn't me." Hank glanced at the bouquet, his brow furrowing. "Which punk is trying to court you now?"

Loyce looked completely baffled. "I have no idea."

"It's probably from Lucian," Renee chimed in with a smirk. "He's exactly the type to do something romantic in secret."

Loyce looked surprised. "He was here?"

Flavia nodded. "Yes. Thanks to you, Mr. Shapiro let us hitch a ride on his private helicopter. If we had taken a commercial flight or even chartered a jet at the last minute, we would have missed the competition entirely."

Realization dawned on Loyce. She turned to Hank. "The security footage from the backstage hallway... did you recover it for me?"

Hank shook his head, looking completely lost. "If you want me to rebuild a motorcycle engine or modify a firearm, I'm your guy. I don't know the first thing about hacking."

It all clicked. Lucian had done it. But if he was already here, why didn't he come to see her?

"Where is he?"

The table was piled high with incredible seafood.

Before long, Giselle had completely lost track of how much she'd had to drink. Dizzy and swaying, she stood up and stumbled toward the exit. Hank, sitting nearby, quickly stood and caught her arm to steady her. "Where are you going?"

"Restroom," Giselle mumbled, twisting her wrist to break his grip. She glared at him and muttered, "Don't touch me."

Hank thought he misheard her. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he leaned in. "What did you say?"

Alcohol made the girl incredibly bold. She yanked her arm free, stumbled two steps back, and looked at him with utter disgust in her hazy eyes. Her words struck him like a physical blow. "You're a disgusting player. Don't touch me."

Hank froze completely. He definitely hadn't misheard. This swaying, clumsy girl had the audacity to call him out to his face!

A soft laugh came from behind him.

Hank shot a dark look over his shoulder. Renee wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She rested her chin on her hand, a wicked gleam in her eye. "Looks like the great Hank Lonsdale finally found a girl who's repulsed by him. That's a first, isn't it? Must sting."