The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 270

“Elio, I just don’t get you,” Lucie said, shaking her head in exasperation. “If anyone else were in your shoes, they’d be over the moon. What exactly are you so upset about?”

Elio gave her his trademark lopsided grin. “I’m upset because you don’t love me. I mean, look at me. I’m handsome, charming, talented, literally one in a million. How could you not be in love with me?”

Lucie couldn’t help but roll her eyes so hard it almost hurt. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Come on, just give me a hug.”

“Elio, I have work to do. I don’t have time to indulge your theatrics right now.”

He let out a long, dramatic sigh. “Work again? Seriously, what’s so interesting about work anyway?”

“I’m not arguing with you about this,” she said, pushing past him and heading into her studio.

Unbothered, Elio trailed right after her.

“This is my workspace. You need to wait outside,” she said firmly.

“Why? I won’t even make a sound. You do your thing, I’ll just be here.”

“You’re distracting. I can’t focus when you’re around.”

He blinked as if confused. “So, just don’t work. Problem solved.”

She looked at him like he was crazy. “That’s not even an option. Out. Now.”

Before he could protest, she nudged him out the door.

“Oh, by the way, isn’t your grandma’s birthday coming up? Did you pick out a gift for her yet?”

“Not yet. I haven’t had a second to even think about it.”

Lucie paused to consider. “Alright, how about I give you that statue? It’d make a great present. I might have to head back to New Amberton the day after tomorrow. Come with me?”

Elio’s entire face lit up. “Absolutely. Wait, what are you going to New Amberton for?”

Lucie frowned in concentration. “There’s an antiques convention at Westbrook in a few days. I need to go back, inventory the warehouse, and pick out some pieces for the exhibition.”

Elio let out a sheepish laugh. “Oh, I thought you were going back for… something else.”

“For what, exactly?” she asked, raising a brow.

He just grinned. “Nothing. Forget it.”

Lucie rolled her eyes again and turned her attention back to work. She was so close to finishing the four artifacts Dr. Tate had brought her. Once those were done, she needed to pack them up and deliver them. Only the silk gauze robe was left, and for that she’d have to go to Elmridge to get help from a traditional embroidery master. There was no way she could finish it alone.

***

The next day, Lucie’s divorce announcement blew up the internet.

“Let’s not talk about that. Heath Entertainment is already shut down. We need to figure out how to weather this.”

“Relax, Mr. Heath will fix it.”

“Shh, he’s coming.”

Everyone instantly fell silent as Steven walked in, his expression icy and unreadable.

“Let’s get started,” he said, his voice clipped.

***

The following day, after making sure her grandfather was settled, Lucie got ready to head back to New Amberton.

“Elio, this is way too much,” she said, looking around the sleek, over-the-top private jet. “I told you, regular first class tickets would have been fine. There’s no need to charter a plane. This is just showing off.”

Elio shrugged, a mischievous smile playing at his lips. “There’s a bunch of us. Buying everyone tickets would cost almost as much as chartering the jet.”

He didn’t mention that the Pitts family actually had their own plane. He’d been avoiding using it because his mom was on his case lately and had even sent a whole team of bodyguards after him.

Lucie let out a long sigh and sank into her seat. “Whatever. Do what you want.”

Whenever she traveled alone, she kept things as low-key as possible. This time, she was extra careful. The last thing she wanted was anyone finding out she was back in New Amberton.