She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 917

Myles had changed into something much more casual, making him look years younger than he had on their date.

He opened the car door for her. "You really know how to pick a spot. It's charming out here."

Getting into the driver's seat, he added, "It's a bit remote, though. Good for heading into the mountains, but not so convenient if you want a decent meal."

Giselle buckled her seatbelt and smiled. "I'm here for work anyway. Food is just an afterthought."

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to the bustling snack street behind Yarnwick University.

The moment Giselle stepped out, she was hit by a wall of mouth-watering aromas—charcoal smoke, spices, and sizzling oil mingling together in the crisp autumn air.

Myles led her into a tiny, unassuming joint.

The owner, a burly man in his fifties, lit up when he saw him. "Dr. Egan! Look who's back! Haven't seen you in ages!"

Myles laughed, exchanged a few warm words with the owner, and led Giselle to a table by the window, pulling out her chair for her. "I basically lived on this stuff back in the day. I don't know if it's your scene, but it's definitely worth a try."

"I'm not picky," Giselle assured him with a smile. "Besides, the best food is always hiding in places like this. It's authentic."

Myles ordered a massive spread, mostly heavy, oily, and intensely spicy local favorites. Having spent years abroad, Giselle's spice tolerance had plummeted, but the food smelled so insanely good she couldn't resist. The grilled fish was incredibly fresh.

Even fighting through the heat, she managed to eat quite a bit. They were chatting happily when a group of college students walked in. One of them spotted Myles and jogged over, grinning. "Dr. Egan! It really is you! We thought our eyes were playing tricks on us!"

Myles looked up and laughed. "Grabbing a late-night bite?"

A girl with a ponytail nodded enthusiastically, her eyes darting to Giselle before lighting up. "Is this Mrs. Egan?"

Giselle's hand paused halfway to her glass of water. She instinctively looked at Myles.

Myles just chuckled, glancing at her. "Go eat your skewers, stop being nosy."

Another guy leaned in. "She's gorgeous, Doc! You've got great taste!"

"We're just friends," Giselle quickly corrected, feeling a flush of embarrassment.

"Our professor is the best, miss! You should seriously consider him. Total catch!"

Myles waved them off before things got more awkward. "Alright, alright, that's enough out of you lot. Go eat before your food gets cold."

The students laughed and walked away, turning back to wave one last time. "Bye, Mrs. Egan! Come visit the campus next time!"

Giselle watched them go, not knowing whether to laugh or cringe. Myles looked at her, a hint of apology in his eyes. "I'm sorry about that. They're just messing around, please don't take it to heart."

It was the street food. Her stomach was completely rejecting the heavy, greasy spices after eating so clean for so long.

Another brutal cramp ripped through her. She scrambled out of bed, barely making it to the bathroom before she collapsed over the toilet and threw up.

Everything in her stomach violently emptied out. She slumped against the porcelain, gasping for air. Trembling, she grabbed the sink to pull herself up, heavily leaning against the wall as she shuffled back to the bed. She grabbed her phone and dialed Chloe's number.

Chloe sounded half-asleep when she answered, but the moment she realized Giselle was sick, she panicked, threw on some clothes, and started hammering on her door.

"Giselle! Open the door! Are you okay?!"

Giselle was completely drained, lacking the strength to even stand up and turn the knob. She curled up, clutching her stomach, letting out a low groan of agony.

"Oh my god, I'm getting the front desk!" Chloe yelled, bolting down the stairs just as Hank stepped out of his room.

Hank was a light sleeper to begin with, and the paper-thin walls meant he had heard every agonizing sound.

He strode over to Giselle's room and knocked. When his deep voice filtered through the wood, Giselle honestly thought she was hallucinating from the pain.

Until the lock shattered as the heavy wooden door was violently kicked open.

Her pupils dilated as his tall, imposing figure filled the doorway.