The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 242

“Welcome! Please head to the changing rooms first.”

“Alright.”

The three of them slipped into the changing room, quickly swapping their clothes for swimsuits.

“This place is massive,” Ruby whispered. “Should we find someone to show us around?”

June grinned. “I practically grew up here. Come on, I’ll take you right to the hot springs.”

As soon as they stepped into the main hall of the resort, a gentle wave of warm, steamy air wrapped around them, carrying a faint hint of sulfur.

June inhaled deeply, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. “See? Didn’t I say this place is the best in Westbrook?”

Lucie stared, amazed. The walkway was lined with glazed tiles, winding along the hillside. Delicate patterns curled around the pillars, and the marble floor reflected the soft glow of palace lanterns above. For a moment, it felt like she’d wandered into some royal retreat.

They strolled through the corridor and out to the open-air pools. The view was breathtaking. Over a hundred pools, each with its own vibe, were scattered among towering pines and lush bamboo. Each pool was separated by natural stones or intricate screens. The bottoms were smooth river pebbles, and the water was sprinkled with rose petals and fresh herbs.

The biggest pool sat right in the middle, at least ten meters across. Steam drifted over the water, making it look like something out of a dream.

“All the water here comes straight from a spring, a thousand meters underground,” June explained, dipping her fingers into a milky white pool. “See? The temperature’s always a perfect 38 degrees, and it’s packed with minerals. After a soak, your skin feels as soft as a baby’s.”

When it came to enjoying life, June was an expert.

Lucie finally let herself relax, slowly easing into the hot water. The warmth soaked into her muscles, untangling all the knots of stress she didn’t even know she was carrying.

“Mmm, this is amazing. I barely ever went to hot springs when I was living down south.”

June shot her a sly look. “You know, I bet Mr. Heath would love a place like this too. Too bad he’s not here, right?”

The name was like a splash of cold water. Lucie tensed, goosebumps prickling her skin. She really didn’t want to talk about Steven. Even hearing his name was enough to ruin her mood.

“June, can we not talk about him?”

“Why not?”

“Just… I don’t want to.”

June looked confused. “Because he’s your ex? But even exes can be friends sometimes.”

Lucie’s eyes darkened. “Not us. We’ll never be friends.”

June still didn’t get it. “But Steven’s so good-looking. How did you ever walk away from him?”

Lucie’s chest tightened. She didn’t want to get into the mess of her past with Steven.

“Let’s just enjoy the hot spring, okay?”

She threw herself into bartending, whipping up drink after drink. Before they knew it, Lucie and Ruby had each gone through six or seven cocktails. They tasted just like fruit juice, not a hint of the strong rum hiding inside.

Soon, the buzz hit. Lucie’s cheeks flushed, her head felt floaty, and the room started to spin.

“Why am I so dizzy?”

June stared at her. “Seriously, Lucie? Cocktails get you drunk?”

Lucie tried to steady herself, but everything was blurry. “I… I think I’m actually drunk. I need to lie down.”

She stumbled over to a sofa and collapsed.

“Tsk, tsk. Lightweight. A few drinks and you’re done for. You can stay here. I’m going back to the hot springs.”

June, who could outdrink most guys, barely felt a thing. But Lucie almost never drank, and was done in after just a couple cocktails.

“Ugh… my head…”

“Don’t… don’t touch me…”

Lucie lay on the sofa, half-conscious. She felt herself being scooped up, cradled in someone’s arms. She tried to open her eyes to see who it was, but everything was blurry and spinning. She was just too drunk.