The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 232

He sprinted along the top of the wall, moving fast and sure-footed, then launched himself across the alley and landed on the opposite side. Just beyond was the main road.

Right then, Steven’s car rolled up, crawling through traffic thanks to the thick crowd of pedestrians.

With a heavy crash, Elio timed his jump perfectly, soaring down from the wall and landing right on top of the Maybach.

“Steven, stop the damn car!” he shouted.

The impact rattled the whole car. Steven slammed on the brakes, and Elio tumbled forward, smacking hard against the windshield. For a split second, they locked eyes through the glass, both of them furious.

“Stop the car!” Elio yelled again.

Steven’s heart pounded in his chest. Of course it was Elio. It was always Elio.

He punched the gas.

The engine howled and the car shot forward, speeding down the road in a wild burst. Suddenly Steven jerked the wheel and slammed on the brakes again.

Elio nearly flew off, barely managing to grab the edges of the hood and hold on for dear life.

“Steven, you’re not taking Lucie anywhere—stop the car!” Elio shouted, his voice raw.

Steven gritted his teeth and stomped harder on the gas, swerving side to side, trying to fling Elio off the roof.

“Damn it!”

But no matter how hard he tried, Elio somehow kept his grip, shifting his weight and hugging the car like his life depended on it.

The engine roared like a wild animal. People on the sidewalk froze in shock, then scattered, ducking for cover as the Maybach tore past.

“Are they filming a movie?” someone blurted out.

“It has to be—who drives like that for real? I bet there’s going to be a car crash scene next.”

“Look at that car! They must have a huge budget. Using a real Maybach for a stunt?”

“Those actors are insane—no harness, no safety gear, just going for it.”

“Wait, where’s the camera crew? I don’t see a director…”

The car spun out, screeching toward a concrete planter on the median.

Elio clung on, but in the backseat Lucie was helpless, her hands still tied. She was tossed around, her head slamming into the back of the front seat.

“Agh—!”

Steven had been dead set on getting rid of Elio, but Lucie’s pained scream jolted him back to reality. He stomped the brake. Lucie wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. That hit could be fatal.

The car jerked to a stop.

Lucie slumped in the back, blood streaming down her face from a nasty cut on her head. She let out a faint, broken cry, then went completely limp.

“No time!” Mick said, already sprinting ahead. “There’s a hospital just up the street, follow me!”

Steven didn’t hesitate. He cradled Lucie and ran after Mick, every muscle in his body screaming with panic. Elio was right behind him, his voice desperate. “Lucie, stay with us. You’re going to be okay. Hang on.”

Five minutes later, they burst into the ER.

“Help! She’s hurt, please—someone help!” Steven shouted.

Nurses rushed over with a gurney. “Put her here, quickly!”

Steven’s hands shook as he placed Lucie down, his shirt soaked in her blood.

“Doctor, please,” he begged, voice cracking. “Save my wife. I don’t care what it costs. Just save her.”

“We’ll do everything we can, sir. Please wait outside,” a nurse said.

They whisked Lucie away into surgery.

Steven stood there in the hallway, staring down at his bloodstained hands, his mind spinning.

Elio’s anger finally boiled over. He hauled off and punched Steven in the face.

“You almost killed her. Again! Is that what you want, Steven? If anything happens to Lucie, I swear I’ll make you pay.”

He punched him again. And again.