The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 239

A cold shiver ran down Elio’s spine. “Lucie, do you really… do you hate me that much?”

Lucie’s frown deepened and guilt twisted inside her. “Elio, you’ve got it all wrong. I don’t hate you.”

He let out an awkward laugh. “So you don’t hate me, but you don’t like me either, is that what you’re saying?”

Lucie was silent, caught off guard. It was true—she didn’t hate Elio. She just wasn’t ready for anything romantic right now. And honestly, Elio only acted like he didn’t care about anything, but deep down he wasn’t like that at all. His family would never accept a woman with a divorce in her past.

“Okay, okay, let’s not talk about this anymore. Don’t overthink it. I was just joking, really.” Elio tried to smile it off. “We’ll do things your way. Just friends. That’s alright, right?”

Lucie looked serious. She didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing her looking lost and flustered, Elio couldn’t help but grin. He leaned in, teasing, “Lucie, you’re just too cute.” He reached out, ruffling her hair.

She brushed his hand away. “Quit it.”

He sobered up. “Alright, I’ll stop. But once I’m back home, can I at least call you every day?”

Lucie hesitated.

“Seriously? You can’t even agree to something that small?”

“Elio, you know how busy I am with the restoration work, and I have to take care of Grandpa, too. I might get caught up and forget.”

He just smiled. “That’s fine. I’ll call you. Just promise you won’t ignore my calls.”

Lucie sighed, giving in. “Fine.”

“It’s a deal. Don’t ghost me.”

“Okay, but sometimes I really might not hear the phone.”

“Then just call me back when you can.”

“Alright.”

“Guess I’ll get going then.”

“Safe travels. Take care.”

“You too. Look after yourself.”

When Elio left, Lucie let out a long sigh. The world finally felt quiet again.

She mumbled to herself, I can’t keep putting things off like this. Tomorrow, I’m definitely going to the studio.

Ruby, her assistant, hovered nearby, speaking carefully. “Ms. Anderson, your grandfather’s been asking for you. When will you go visit him?”

“How’s he doing?”

“The doctor says his therapy is working really well. He can stand on his own now, but he still needs help walking.”

That news eased a bit of the tension in Lucie’s chest. “That’s good.”

“I’ll go see him in a few days. Just tell him I’m working on something urgent and need a few more days.”

“Of course, Ms. Anderson.”

Lucie really couldn’t bring herself to visit Grandpa yet. He was just starting to recover. If he saw her all banged up, it would only make things worse for him.

Lucie’s head started to throb. “Just tell her I’m not in.”

“I tried, but she doesn’t believe me. She said she saw you walk into the building and won’t leave until she sees you.”

Lucie’s frustration flared. “I’m not seeing her. Tell her I’m busy.”

“Alright,” Ruby said, heading out again.

—

Five minutes later, there was another knock at the door. Before Lucie could answer, June’s voice rang out from the hallway, loud and dramatic. “Lucie, it’s me! Are you really not going to see me?”

“I know you’re in there! Why are you hiding from me?”

“I have something important to talk about! I want to buy something from you! Why are you avoiding me?”

Ruby was trying to hold her back. “Ms. Swanson, Ms. Anderson really isn’t in right now.”

“I know she’s in there. Stop trying to fool me.”

Even the bodyguards stepped in. “Ms. Swanson, please don’t make a scene. Otherwise, we’ll have to ask you to leave.”

June scoffed. “Do you have any idea who I am? You actually think you can stop me? I could make sure you never find work in Westbrook again.”

Lucie couldn’t take the chaos anymore. She took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped out.

As soon as June saw her, her whole face lit up. She rushed over like nothing had happened, grinning from ear to ear. “Lucie! I knew you’d see me. Why’d you try to lie and say you weren’t here?”