She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 942

"It's different this time," Hank said earnestly. He placed her hand flat against his chest. "Can you feel my heart racing?"

"Are you actually nervous?" Giselle asked, amused.

"You're the only one who can make me nervous," he replied smoothly.

She pulled her hand back. "Just drive."

Twenty minutes later, the car parked smoothly in the underground garage of her upscale apartment building.

Carrying Giselle's bag like an ordinary, devoted partner, Hank followed her into the elevator.

As they ascended, the man who struck fear into the hearts of global syndicates began obsessively adjusting his collar, cuffs, and tie, repeatedly asking Giselle if he looked okay.

"My mother still has complicated feelings about you," she reminded him gently.

"I know." Hank took a deep breath, his expression resolute. "I'll handle it."

He had met Emma before and knew exactly how terrible his track record was. But he knew he deserved every bit of her resentment. He offered a tight smile. "As long as she doesn't chase me out with a broom, I'm going to shamelessly take a seat."

The elevator doors opened. Giselle unlocked the front door, and the warm, inviting scent of a home-cooked meal drifted into the hallway.

"Mommy!"

Gigi hopped off the couch and sprinted toward Giselle, skidding to a halt when she saw the man beside her. "Sir."

Hank leaned down, tenderly scooping his daughter into his arms. "Hey, sweetie. Were you watching TV?"

"Yeah." Gigi nodded, her bright eyes darting between the two of them. She leaned in and whispered, "Grandma is home today. It might not be a good idea to bring Daddy here, Mommy."

Giselle blinked in shock. "What did you just call him?"

"Daddy," Gigi said matter-of-factly. "I've known for a while. Whenever you're not home, you're out on dates with Daddy, right?"

Giselle shot Hank an accusatory glare. "Did you tell her?!"

"No!" Hank defended himself quickly. "She figured it out on her own during the sports day. She's as brilliant as you, and she looks just like me. It's only natural she'd connect the dots."

Then, the ruthless billionaire who controlled Metropia's underworld—the man who had never bowed his head to anyone—took a half-step back, stood perfectly straight, and offered a deep, incredibly sincere bow.

"Mom... I am so sorry."

The word 'Mom' made Emma freeze. Her face hardened instantly. "Mr. Lonsdale, I am incredibly grateful that you saved my daughter's life, but I cannot accept you calling me that. Please don't confuse the child. If you two want to date, that's your business. I won't interfere."

Her biggest fear was her granddaughter's reaction, and the devastating memories of the past were thorns in Emma's heart that could never be fully removed.

The man standing before her had once trapped her precious daughter in a gilded cage with his obsessive, extreme love, forcing Giselle to risk her life to escape. She had nearly died giving birth to Gigi. Just thinking about it felt like a knife twisting in Emma's chest. She simply couldn't let it go or give him a warm welcome.

Facing Emma's icy words, Hank didn't offer a single excuse. He looked up, the usual arrogance and ruthlessness entirely stripped from his eyes, leaving only raw guilt and pure sincerity.

"I know what a monster I was in the past. My selfish, twisted idea of love deeply hurt Giselle. Even if you took a bat to me and chased me out of this house today, I'd deserve it."

Emma stared at him, her eyes growing red. "You don't need to act so humble in front of me. Like I said, I'm staying out of your relationship."

Hank knew she still harbored deep resentment. Holding her gaze respectfully, he said, "I'm not here today to beg for your immediate forgiveness. I'm here to promise you that from this day forward, my life belongs to Giselle and Gigi. If I ever let them suffer even a fraction of a grievance, or cause them to shed a single tear, you won't even have to lift a finger—I will destroy myself."