The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 350

“You take care of everything,” Steven said, giving her chin a playful squeeze, his eyes full of certainty. “Once the wedding’s over, we’ll go on our honeymoon. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

Bria smiled and nodded, but her eyes drifted to the window. The roses outside were in full bloom, so red they almost looked like they could bleed.

Ms. Anderson—someone so innocent and pure when it came to love.

Bria let out a soft laugh. If Ms. Anderson ever found out the truth, she’d leave Steven on her own. Bria wouldn’t even have to lift a finger. That would be enough to destroy Lucie completely.

Compete with me? Please. Lucie is still way too naïve.

After a moment, Bria gently nudged Steven aside and got up to pour him a glass of water. “Here, have some water. You’re grinning so much your mouth must be getting dry.”

Steven took the glass, his fingers brushing against the cool surface. As he drank, a memory of Lucie’s strangely calm voice when she’d hung up the phone flickered through his mind. Something felt off.

But the thought disappeared almost instantly. He was too happy with how things were going to worry about it for long.

—

The next day, Lucie went to the antiques market just like usual.

“We might need to work late today. I want everyone to pick up the pace,” she said.

Ruby gave her a quick progress report. “Don’t worry, Ms. Anderson. The staff already started working overtime last night.”

Lucie’s face stayed calm as she sat down at her desk, getting right to work.

“Pack up everything that can be shipped and get it all sent to Westbrook as fast as possible. Put the inventoried artifacts into the vault. Anything marked for auction, send it straight to the auction house.”

“Got it, Ms. Anderson,” Ruby said. “But why the rush? The holidays are coming up, and a lot of staff are about to go on break. We might—”

Lucie didn’t look up from her computer. “That’s exactly why we need to finish up here in New Amberton as quickly as we can. We’ve already missed the Westbrook expo’s opening. We can’t afford to get behind on the rest of the exhibits and auctions.”

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