The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 269

Steven’s handsome face twisted into a cold, mocking smile. “Yeah? Go ahead. Hit the gas. Come on then. Run me over. I dare you.”

Lucie’s heart pounded in her chest as she started the engine. She leaned on the horn, her anger boiling over.

“Steven, get out of the way. I’m not kidding. I’ll really do it.”

Steven just stood up straighter, refusing to move. “Drive. I’ll give you a hundred chances. You won’t dare.”

He didn’t even finish his sentence before Lucie stomped on the accelerator.

Bang!

The car jumped forward, bumping into Steven. He sprawled across the hood, his face smushed right up against the windshield. Lucie hadn’t really slammed the gas, she just wanted to scare him, but it was enough to make Steven furious.

He glared at Lucie, his face dark with rage. “Lucie—are you seriously insane? You actually hit me?”

He tried to slide off the car, ready to smash the window and drag her out. But Lucie didn’t give him the chance. She quickly shifted into reverse.

The engine roared as Steven was jolted backward. Lucie spun the wheel and floored it again.

“Get out of my way!” she shouted.

Steven lost his balance and tumbled off the hood, rolling onto the pavement.

Lucie didn’t even look back. She sped off, tires screeching.

“Lucie! You crazy woman! You really hit me? Come back here!” Steven yelled, scrambling to his feet, but she was already gone.

“You just wait,” he fumed, practically shaking with anger. “You think you can run forever? Sooner or later, you’ll be right back in my hands. And when that happens, don’t even think about begging for mercy.”

He stomped the ground, wanting nothing more than to jump in his car and chase her down. But his flight was about to leave. Gritting his teeth, he got in his car and headed to the airport, still raging inside.

***

Half an hour later, Lucie pulled up outside the antique market, her nerves still frayed. She glanced around, half-expecting Steven to pop up, but the coast was clear.

“Steven, just stay out of my life for good,” she muttered, climbing out of the car and heading to her office.

Unlocking the door, she walked in—and froze.

He took a slow sip of tea, completely unfazed. “If I didn’t run, my mom would drag me home.”

“So go home, then!”

Elio shook his head stubbornly. “Not a chance.”

“Why not?”

“I just don’t want to.”

Lucie didn’t even know what to say to that.

Elio flopped onto the sofa, stretching out. The last thing he wanted was to go home. If he did, his mom would force him to work at Pitts Enterprises again. He’d already tried it for a few days and it was driving him crazy—meetings, business dinners, endless introductions to shareholders and executives, learning about company operations. It was torture.

He just wasn’t interested in business. What he really wanted was to be an adventurer, or maybe join some secret government agency like his older brother, saving the world and living out wild dreams. But his brother had already taken that path, leaving Elio stuck with the family business and a fortune he never asked for. Worst of all, his mom wouldn’t stop nagging him to get married and have kids. It was enough to make him want to run away for good.

“Lucie, come here,” he said, his voice dramatic. “I swear, I’m about to lose my mind. I need a hug.”