The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 235

The elevator’s floor numbers ticked down, one by one. Steven’s icy mood seemed to chill the whole space, the air practically freezing around him.

June pressed herself into the corner, nervously winding a strand of pink hair around her finger. Her wide, puppy eyes stared up at him, the picture of innocence, with a childish pout that looked almost too perfect.

Steven glanced over, a deep frown creasing his brow. There was something familiar about her. Sure, she looked like a rebellious teenager, and her flashy jewelry could have passed for cheap knock-offs—but Steven knew better. Every piece she wore was high-end, the kind of luxury brands that were way out of reach for most people.

And even though she looked scared, her gaze was sharp, never leaving him for a second. Any girl bold enough to chase after him like this had to be used to the spotlight.

“What’s your name?” Steven asked, sudden and direct.

June’s whole face lit up, bright and eager. “I’m June Swanson! Twenty-six, Columbia grad, five-foot-six, one-oh-eight pounds. My measurements are...” She rattled off her stats like she was reading her resume, ready to tell him her whole life story if he’d let her.

Steven barely listened—he only caught her last name.

“June Swanson? As in, the Swanson family from Elmridge?”

June’s eyes sparkled as she nodded, almost bouncing. “Yep! That’s us! My grandpa’s Sam Swanson. You’ve heard of him, right?”

Steven relaxed just a little, the frostiness in his eyes melting away.

There were two powerhouse families in Elmridge: the Pitts and the Swansons. They had money, influence, and a friendship that spanned generations. No one could touch them.

“You’ve heard of my grandpa, haven’t you?” June pressed again.

Steven hesitated, then let a small, sly smile play at his lips. “So you’re the Swanson heiress.”

He raised an eyebrow, his grin just a little dangerous.

June’s heart skipped. She couldn’t look away.

He was ridiculously handsome. But it was more than that. There was this raw, masculine energy about him, something magnetic and intense. Sometimes, that kind of vibe was even more attractive than looks alone.

The elevator chimed and the doors slid open.

Steven shot her one last look before striding out, his long legs eating up the space.

June’s heart was thumping so loudly she thought he might hear it. She hurried after him. “So, uh, you’re not mad at me, right? Can we be friends? Maybe get dinner sometime? You know, it’s good to have friends in new places!”

Steven didn’t say a word, just kept walking toward the car.

Andy was already waiting, having set up a new ride. “Mr. Heath, Bria has been looking for you.”

“We are going to Mercy Hospital,” Steven said, voice crisp.

“Yes, sir.”

The driver stepped out and opened the door. Steven slid into the backseat.

June caught up before the car could leave, leaning in close to the window. “Mr. Heath, please don’t block my number, okay?”

Through the glass, Steven looked back at her, his eyes unreadable. The corner of his mouth curled in that same half-smile.

The car started and slowly pulled away.

Lucie tried to remember what happened, but it was all a blur. There was a heavy feeling on her nose, and every word made her lip sting. She reached up without thinking, fingers brushing bandages.

Her face. She was hurt.

Elio caught her hand gently. “Don’t touch it. You just had surgery. You need to rest.”

“The doctor said you need to take it easy,” he added.

“What happened to me? Give me a mirror. I want to see.”

“Don’t look. It’s all bandaged up right now.”

Anxiety bubbled up inside her. “Please, just get me a mirror…”

She started to push herself up.

“Okay, okay—just don’t move. I’ll get you one.”

He dashed out and came back a few minutes later with a mirror from the nurse.

Lucie stared at her reflection and almost didn’t recognize herself.

Her entire face was swollen, her skin shiny with antiseptic, and her lips were so puffy they looked like little loaves of bread.

Her mind went blank. “What… what happened to me? Oh my God, am I disfigured?”