The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 191

A little after seven in the evening, Lucie’s plane landed at Westbrook Airport. October was almost over, and the cold had really settled in.

“Whoa, it’s freezing! Make sure Grandpa’s bundled up with his windproof blanket. I don’t want him catching a cold,” Lucie said as they stepped off the plane.

“Don’t worry, Miss. We’re fully prepared. He won’t get cold,” one of the staff assured her.

“Good.”

Madison came over and gently wrapped a cashmere shawl around Lucie’s shoulders. “You should be careful too, Miss. Here, wear this.”

“Thank you.” Lucie nodded, but even with the shawl, she couldn’t help but shiver. She’d grown up in New Amberton, a southern city where it never really got cold. Coming up north was a shock; she wasn’t used to this kind of chill.

“Take it slow, careful,” someone called as a team of medical staff carefully wheeled Mr. Anderson down the ramp.

“I’ve already talked to the hospital. We can take Grandpa straight there,” Lucie said.

“Alright.”

Soon after, Mr. Anderson was loaded into an ambulance headed straight for the best hospital in Westbrook.

***

By eight-thirty that night, they’d arrived at Mercy Hospital. Thanks to Mick’s help, Mr. Anderson was quickly settled into a private room. Once everything was in order, Lucie turned to Mick, looking genuinely grateful. “Mick, thank you so much. I know how hard it is to get a bed here, let alone a VIP room. I really appreciate it.”

Mick pushed up his glasses, a warm, easy smile lighting up his kind, clean-cut face. “You don’t need to thank me. It was no trouble at all. Really, don’t mention it.”

Lucie still looked touched. “Even so, let me take you out to dinner.”

Mick laughed softly, his voice gentle and refined. “You don’t have to be so formal. You’re the guest in Westbrook—I should be the one treating you.”

“No, no, this one’s on me!”

He grinned. “How about we save it for another time? You just got here and probably have a million things to do. Go home and get some rest. Once you’re settled, we can talk about dinner.”

Lucie smiled back, a little embarrassed but relieved. “Alright, you win.”

Mick’s ears turned a bit red, and he sounded just a little nervous. “Okay, I’ll get going then. If you need anything, just call me.”

“I will. Bye.”

When Lucie arrived, the housekeeper and staff were already waiting at the gate. “Welcome home, Miss.”

“Come inside, everyone. It’s way too cold to stand out here,” Lucie said, directing people to bring in her luggage.

“I’ll get that.”

“Miss, you brought so much stuff this time. Are you planning to stay a while?”

“Yes, I am,” she replied.

“Oh, okay!”

Usually, the house was taken care of by a housekeeper and four staff who handled security and cleaning. Lucie and her grandfather only visited a few days each year, especially for the antiques trade events they always attended.

Inside, the warmth was a huge relief. Lucie felt drained. She asked her assistant to help put away her things, then went straight to her room to rest.

“Make sure everything from my New Amberton office is packed carefully,” she told Ruby. “Have it shipped to Westbrook—no damage allowed.”

Ruby nodded, looking serious. “Don’t worry, Ms. Anderson. I’ve already called Jean and the others. They’ll start packing tomorrow and everything should be here in two or three days.”