The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 94

“Mr. Heath, that Elio is way too cocky. Should we teach him a lesson?” The bodyguard’s voice cut through the tension in the car.

Steven didn’t answer. He’d already made up his mind. Elio wasn’t just some reckless punk—he came from a family with real power. His father and brother were both political heavyweights. If he wanted to take down a tycoon like Steven, it would only take a word.

If Steven really wanted Elio gone, it would have to look like a perfect accident. But over something so petty? Not worth the mess. He decided to swallow his pride, at least for now.

—

An hour and a half later, Lucie’s car reached the edge of New Amberton. The moment they arrived, a fleet of cars boxed them in, forcing her driver to slam the brakes so hard the car screeched and jolted forward. Lucie and her assistant lurched in their seats, caught by their belts.

“What’s going on?” Lucie demanded.

“Miss, they’re blocking us in. I can’t move,” the driver stammered.

A chill ran through Lucie. She leaned toward the window. The door of a sleek Rolls-Royce ahead swung open, and Steven stepped out, his face stormy and unreadable. He started walking straight for her car, his stride cold and deliberate.

One by one, more than twenty bodyguards poured out of the surrounding vehicles, closing in like a wall. Lucie’s own two bodyguards and her assistant scrambled out, only to be immediately pinned down by Steven’s men.

Her heart thudded in her chest. This was bad—very bad.

A heavy fist pounded on the glass. “Open the door!” Steven’s voice was sharp, muffled by the window.

The driver went pale, hand shaking as he reached for the lock.

“Don’t open it!” Lucie snapped, fumbling for her phone to call for help.

Before she could dial, a window breaker smashed through the glass with a sharp pop. Steven reached through, unlocked the door, and wrenched it open.

“Steven! What are you doing?” Lucie screamed, scrambling to the other side, desperate to escape.

He tore the document to shreds, slow and deliberate, then rolled down the window and let the scraps scatter into the wind.

Lucie’s mind went blank, horror sinking in. He’d never meant to let her go. The divorce was just a trick—to get her back, to keep her close.

“Now where’s your precious divorce agreement, huh?” Steven sneered, hitting a button so a privacy screen slid up between them and the driver.

Lucie’s breath caught. She pressed herself against the door, panic rising. “Steven, what are you doing?”

His face darkened, all self-control snapping. He reached for her, grabbing her by the throat and pinning her to the seat, his breath hot and furious. “Lucie, what’s going on between you and Elio? Is he why you’re so desperate to leave me? Don’t even think about it. If you betray me, I swear—”

With a harsh rip, the silk of her dress tore right down the middle.

“You’re mine, Lucie,” he growled, eyes wild. “For the rest of your life, you belong to me. Hold on to me. Tell me you love me. Tell me you can’t live without me…”