Chapter 162

Elio stepped into the living room, where his mom and grandparents sat on the sofa, all looking deadly serious.

"Hey, Mom. Grandpa, Grandma. I'm home," he said, acting like everything was totally normal. He gave Mr. and Mrs. Pitts the usual hugs.

His grandma leaned in, concern written all over her face. "Elio, your mom's really upset. You'd better go talk to her."

Elio just shrugged, grinning lazily. "My wonderful mother, what's so important you had to summon me home so urgently?"

Joanna's glare could have frozen water. "So you finally remembered where you live? I called you yesterday and told you: we're meeting the Swanson family at noon. Lunch. You have to be there, no excuses."

Elio rolled his eyes, the annoyance obvious. "Mom, I've told you a million times. There's no way I'm ever getting together with June. I'd rather stay single for life than marry her."

Joanna watched him like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Why not? June is such a good girl. You two basically grew up together—don't you realize how rare that is? Why can't you just appreciate it?”

Elio had to bite back a laugh. June was a total actress. Around parents, she played the sweet, perfect daughter. But in private? She was wild. She'd already hooked up with half his buddies, and who knew how many other guys he didn't know. He didn't care about his own reputation, but his future wife had to be different. Still, he wasn't about to trash June's name in front of everyone. He knew what she was like. That was enough.

Joanna pressed on, eyeing his outfit. "And where did you run off to last night? Go change your clothes. We have to leave soon.

"And starting tomorrow, you're going to work at the company. No more slacking off. You'll attend every shareholder meeting. This aimless lifestyle stops now.”

Elio let out a dramatic sigh and rolled his eyes. Meetings were his personal nightmare. A bunch of old guys sitting around with stone faces for hours? Torture. He could barely sit still for ten minutes, let alone two or three hours.

His mom wasn't done. "Are you even listening? Can't you grow up a little? The future of our family business depends on you!"

"Yeah, yeah, I heard you. Can you please stop with the lectures?" he muttered, only half paying attention.

He honestly couldn't care less about being a businessman—even if the Pitts empire was worth a fortune and spanned the globe. It just wasn't what he wanted.

Joanna raised her eyebrows. "Well? Are you going to change or not?"

Elio flashed a mischievous smile, then suddenly stood up straighter, turning serious. "Mom, Grandpa, Grandma. I have an announcement. I already have a girlfriend.

"I'm only going to marry her."

Joanna stared at him like he'd grown a second head.

His grandparents, on the other hand, looked thrilled. "Whose daughter is she?" Grandma asked, all excited.

"What does her family do? Do we know them?" Grandpa chimed in.

Elio grinned. "Her family's in antiques. She's amazing-went to my university, super smart, really sweet, total catch. She'll be the best daughter-in-law."

His grandparents looked absolutely delighted. "That's wonderful! You have to bring her home so we can meet her."

Joanna was still frowning. "Antiques? Which family?"

Elio just waved her off. "Doesn't matter. What matters is, I'm marrying her."

"At least bring her home to meet us," his mom insisted.

"Uh, well... she's not divorced yet. But as soon as she is, I'll bring her by."

For a second, all three of them just stared at him like he'd dropped a bomb.

"You have got to be kidding," Joanna managed to say.

"I'm completely serious. She's getting divorced soon, and when she does, I'm going after her."

"You little brat, are you trying to get yourself grounded? Wait till

dad

gets home-he's going to your a

Work with you!"

Before his mom could really blow up, Elio shot her a cheeky grin and bolted upstairs.

Joanna was left fuming, hands shaking with frustration. "That boy is going to be the death of me..."

After wrapping up matters at home, Elio rushed to the hospital in a panic.

Inside the hospital room, Lucie was already gone.

"Where's she?" he asked.

The nurse looked surprised. "Huh?

She was just fiere

How did

a momentaĝo...

e disappear so quickly

Alarmed, Elio turned and ran out of the room, searching frantically in every direction.

But it was too late. Lucie had already left the hospital and was on her way back to New Amberton.

On the road back, Lucie sat in the car, staring blankly ahead, her mind in chaos.

She had already decided she didn't want to argue or fight anymore.

All she wanted was to walk away and end things peacefully. She just hever Yould go so

as to try and take her life.

imagined ven

If that's the case, she could no longer afford to retreat or stay silent.

"We've arrived. Should I take you to the antique market or straight home?" the driver asked.

Lucie's expression was cold, her heart numb. "Take me to the police station," she

said.