The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 161

The relentless buzzing of his phone finally stopped as his mom’s call cut off, but before Elio could even breathe, another call flashed across the screen.

He saw the name and felt his headache double. Nope. Straight to decline.

Of course, that just meant his phone started blowing up with texts.

[Elio, why aren’t you answering me?]

[My parents are making me have dinner with you tomorrow. If you ditch, that’s on you.]

[Where were you today? Out hooking up with girls again?]

He read it all, getting more annoyed by the second. “Unbelievable. Completely nuts,” he grumbled, tossing his phone aside.

“I swear, everyone around me is crazy.”

He shut his phone off, done with the drama for tonight.

The texts were from June—his first love and childhood friend. Their families were basically the same: rich, powerful, and working together for generations. Their parents had decided ages ago that Elio and June were meant to be, planning their wedding before they were even old enough to drive.

Back when he was sixteen, he’d actually liked June. For a while, they were the real deal.

But Elio had always been restless. At that age, he was immature, reckless, always chasing after something new. June was never the type to put up with it. She was wild, bold, and even less interested in playing the patient girlfriend. No matter what she tried, she couldn’t control him.

So she did the unthinkable: slept with three out of his five closest friends.

Then she’d sent him the photos, making sure he got the message. The shock was almost funny—he actually laughed when he saw her with his friends. After that, he kept his distance and refused to start anything serious with her ever again.

***

It was one in the morning when Lucie finally woke up, coughing weakly.

Elio hadn’t left her side. The second she stirred, he leaned in. “Lucie, you’re awake?”

She blinked, clearly still dizzy and out of it.

“Want some water?”

She nodded, barely managing a sound.

He quickly poured a glass of warm water and gently helped her sit up. “Careful.”

He slid his arm behind her neck, cradling her against him as she took a few sips.

“Do you want more?”

“That’s enough,” she whispered, already trying to lie back down.

He turned to the doctor and nurses. “Keep an eye on her. No mistakes.”

They nodded, all serious. “Don’t worry, Mr. Pitts. We’ll take good care of her.”

“Thanks.”

After repeating his instructions, Elio finally left the hospital.

By ten, he was back at the Pitts estate. As soon as he walked in, he found the butler and a line of servants standing by the door, waiting.

Every time he got in trouble, it was always the staff who suffered.

“Sir, thank goodness you’re back!” the butler hurried over, looking exhausted. “We’ve been standing here all morning. My old bones can’t take much more.”

The Pitts family had several butlers and over a hundred servants. This whole group was assigned just to him.

Elio shot the butler a look. “Then maybe you should just retire.”

The butler grinned, trying to play it off. “Oh, sir, you’re so funny. I’ve still got a few years left in me.” He gestured inside. “Come on in. Your mom, grandma, and grandpa are all waiting.”

Elio sighed, tossed him the car keys, and strode into the house like he owned the place.