The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 102

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m taking you to the hospital right now.” Steven’s voice shook as he scooped Cody into his arms, his heart aching at the sight of his son in pain.

He shot Lucie a cold, furious look over his shoulder. “Lucie, I really misjudged you. If he ends up blind because of this… Well, you’d better pray he doesn’t.” He swallowed the rest of his threat and stormed out, clutching Cody tightly.

He could hardly believe it. How could she be so heartless? Even if Cody wasn’t her biological child, she’d carried him for nine months. How could she bring herself to hurt him like this?

After Steven left, Lucie just stood there, completely stunned, her mind blank.

She was twenty-four years old, and today, a child had taught her a brutal lesson. Genetics really did run deep, she thought bitterly. The way Cody just framed her reminded her so much of Marian and Shannon. It’s the same tricks, same cold-blooded style. There was no way Cody and Shannon weren’t related by blood. She would never believe otherwise.

I can’t just sit here and wait for Grandpa to rescue me, she thought, shivering. I have to get out of this place.

A cold chill ran through her, and whatever attachment she’d felt for Steven and Cody was gone for good.

She pushed herself up and went to the dressing room to change clothes.

The last time she tried to leave, she’d taken all her things and the few maids she’d brought from the Anderson family. Now, everyone in the Heath house was on Steven’s side. Without help, getting out would be nearly impossible.

Once she’d changed, she felt feverish, her head spinning and her limbs heavy. She forced herself to take a deep breath and went into the bathroom, calling out, “Can someone come here, please?”

Two maids came in immediately. “Yes, Mrs. Heath? Do you need something?”

Ellen’s face went pale. She stared at the necklace like it was burning her. “I—I don’t know, ma’am.”

Lucie’s eyes were pleading. “Ellen, all I’m asking is for you to call my grandfather and tell him what’s happening to me. That’s it.”

Ellen stammered, “Mrs. Heath, I—I can’t! If Mr. Heath finds out, my family and I will have to leave New Amberton for good.”

Lucie shook her head. “Don’t worry. As long as you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, he’ll never know. And if he does, this necklace is enough for your whole family to move overseas and start a new life.”

It was true. The necklace was a rare, museum-quality emerald—pure green and so clear it looked like glass. On the open market, it would easily sell for over thirty million. For an ordinary family, that was enough to live comfortably for generations.