The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 220

The old man’s cloudy eyes flicked over to Elio’s unmistakable blond hair. With hair like that, there was no way anyone could forget him. The old man gave a weak little laugh and tried to look away.

June bounced right up, all sunshine and energy. “Hi Grandpa! I’m Lucie’s classmate too. I came just to see you today.”

The old man jumped, startled by June’s sudden appearance. He glanced up at her, and his face instantly fell. June’s long pink hair, blunt bangs, and bright red lipstick were loud enough, but the leopard-print fur coat, tiny leather skirt, and thigh-high boots made her look like something straight out of a fashion fever dream. Her nails were long, jeweled, and dazzling—like she might cast a spell or swipe someone’s heart right out of their chest.

“Uh… uh…” The old man clutched his chest, lost for words.

Lucie hurried over, worry etched on her face. “Grandpa, are you alright?”

“My chest hurts. I need to lie down.”

“Okay, okay,” she said quickly.

Lucie and the nurse helped the old man into his wheelchair and took him to the bed.

Elio shot June an annoyed look. “Seriously? Look at you. You nearly gave Grandpa a heart attack.”

June rolled her eyes. “Excuse me? Have you seen your own hair? You look like you lost a fight with a bleach bottle.”

Back in the bedroom, everyone moved carefully as they helped settle the old man onto the bed.

“Grandpa, should I call a doctor?” Lucie asked, concerned.

He grabbed her hand, his brow furrowed. “Lucie, are they really your old classmates?”

“Uh… yes, Grandpa.” Lucie nodded, but the truth was more complicated. She and Elio did go to the same university, but he was a year ahead and they barely knew each other. June had studied in the US; they only met recently. But explaining all that to Grandpa, who was already hard of hearing, would take forever. Sometimes, a little white lie was just easier.

He sighed. “Oh my, they look like a couple of parrots that turned human. One’s got blond hair, the other pink. They don’t look like good people. Lucie, you shouldn’t hang around with these types. Tell them to leave. They’re giving me a headache just looking at them.”

Lucie tried to laugh it off. “Grandpa, they’re here to see you out of kindness. Besides, they’re helping out with our family business, too. How can I just kick them out?”

“No, no, I can’t stand it. Please, just send them away,” he insisted.

“Please let him be even more handsome in person,” she prayed. “Don’t let him be one of those guys who only look good in photos.”

She tried to calm her racing heart, but her eyes were glued to the elevator. Every time it dinged open, she craned her neck to look.

After a few minutes, the elevator doors slid open. A few nurses and patients shuffled out. June’s shoulders dropped in disappointment.

Then, right at the end, a tall guy stepped out. He had to be over six foot three, wearing a perfectly tailored suit and a crisp white shirt, with a long black coat draped over his shoulders. His presence was impossible to ignore—tall, confident, and a little intimidating.

June’s mouth fell open. If anything, he looked even better than his photos—ten times better. She was pretty sure her heart stopped for a second.

Steven glanced at the hallway signs, then strode toward her, every step making her pulse race faster.

He finally stopped in front of her. “Excuse me,” he asked politely, his voice deep and smooth, “is this room 908?”

June just stared at him, totally starstruck. Even his voice was perfect—low, rich, like it belonged on the radio.