She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 570

"Lucian."

Channing Shapiro strolled up, casually leaning against the railing next to him.

Following Lucian's gaze down to the couple in matching outfits, Channing let out a heavily exaggerated sigh. "Looks like Ms. Lonsdale heard the news about your situation. To jump ship to the Winslet heir this fast... she really is superficial, isn't she?"

Lucian's hand stopped swirling his glass. The crystal caught the dangerous glint in his deep, unfathomable eyes. "Is that so? It's just a single dance. What does that prove?"

Seeing that Lucian wasn't reacting with the anger he had hoped for, Channing leaned in closer, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Lucian, I know this is tearing you up inside. A woman that gorgeous belongs by your side. Her parading around like that is humiliating for the entire Shapiro family."

Channing paused, studying Lucian's perfectly blank face, before pushing further. "I know you've always stood by your conservative, cautious approach. But look where that got us. Dozens of lives lost on The Providence! And the public is blaming all that blood on your 'conservative' inaction! You're suspended from the military, the family stock is tanking daily, and now even the woman you care about most is... If we don't change tactics right now, a century of Shapiro legacy is going to burn to the ground."

A cold, mocking smile touched the corner of Lucian's mouth. "Listening to you, one would think I've become the ultimate villain of the family."

Channing couldn't read his expression at all. But making eye contact with those pitch-black eyes sent a violent jolt of panic straight through his chest.

"Channing, I've heard rumors recently that several treasonous spies have infiltrated the military," Lucian said smoothly. "I wonder how many of them are hiding among the hawkish faction you support so much?"

The pointed question nearly made Channing's composure shatter. His pupils violently contracted in shock.

"Treasonous spies?"

Lucian raised his hand, casually setting his empty glass on a passing waiter's tray. He stood up straight, elegantly adjusting the cuffs of his sharp charcoal suit. "Indeed. In fact, maybe there's one standing right beside me."

Channing's heart was hammering against his ribs, but he forced a look of pure bewilderment. "How could that be? I just moved back to the country; I don't know anything about that kind of stuff. I was merely making a suggestion based on the current crisis. The Shapiro empire is our grandfather's life's work. We absolutely cannot let it fall apart in our hands."

Luna quickly stepped up, sliding her arm through Channing's. "Or perhaps Lucian could hand off a portion of the family's operations to Channing? He would handle it brilliantly."

Lucian looked Channing up and down, delivering his response with lethal, quiet precision. "Just him?"

It was a quiet dismissal, but the absolute lack of respect cut deeper than a scream.

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