Chapter 190

Shannon stomped her foot in frustration, glaring at the hospital room door. "Just you wait, Lucie. I'm not letting you off that easy."

***

Meanwhile, inside, Lucie had been out cold for hours. When she finally woke up, the room was pitch black and her whole body ached even worse than before. Humiliation and anger threatened to swallow her whole.

"Steven, you jerk," she muttered through gritted teeth.

She stumbled out of bed and flipped on the lights, only to find Steven was long

gone. The bed was a wreck. Her clothes were torn beyond repair.

With no other option, she grabbed her phone and called her assistant.

"Bring me a new outfit. Now."

"Right away, Ms. Anderson."

Half an hour later, she'd managed to shower and change, though she still felt shaky as she stepped out of the room.

Her four bodyguards stood outside, looking clueless. "Ms. Anderson."

She glared at them, fury bubbling up. "I was calling for you. Didn't you hear me?"

The men exchanged awkward glances. "We didn't hear anything, ma'am."

"Yeah, Andy said you were talking business with Mr. Heath and told us not to interrupt," one of them added.

Lucie lost it for the first time ever. "Forget it. None of you are coming back tomorrow. You're all fired."

These bodyguards were useless. She needed people who actually paid attention, who were smart and reliable.

"Ms. Anderson, did we do something wrong?" one of them asked, looking desperate.

Lucie didn't bother explaining. She was too tired, too defeated. She just walked away, heart heavy, and made her way to her grandfather's room.

She wouldn't report Steven. What was the point? Even if she tried, people would probably say she agreed to everything. He was just that good at twisting things. No matter how hard she fought, he always got his way. If he said she was a willing participant, who would believe otherwise?

***

When she walked into her grandfather's room, Madison and Rose were already pacing, waiting for her.

"Miss, where have you been?"

"It's fine. Don't ask. We're leaving. Get ready."

"Oh okay."

"Grandpa, let's go," Lucie said softly.

Mr. Anderson was gently helped up by a nurse, and a caretaker brought over the wheelchair.

"Careful, sir."

"Take it slow, Grandpa." Lucie helped him settle in.

"Are we heading to Link Private Hospital?" Rose asked.

Lucie shook her head, jaw set. “No. We're leaving New Amberton. We're going to Westbrook."

"What? Westbrook?"

She nodded. "I already chartered a private jet. The medical team's coming with us."

Rose and Madison stared at each other, stunned.

Lucie didn't bother with details. She told her assistant to grab their documents, then started calling hospitals in Westbrook.

She knew the truth: as long as she stayed in New Amberton, Steven would never let her go The only way out was to take her grandfather and move all the way to Westbrook, two thousand kilometers away

***

A few hours later, the plane broke through the clouds, leaving New Amberton behind. Lucie pressed her forehead to the window, watching the city shrink as the jet climbed higher. She squeezed her ›

grandfather's hand, seeking comfort.

Her grandfather's eyes were cloudy with worry, but he just patted her hand gently.

"Don't let anyone wear you down, sweetheart."

"Grandpa, you always wanted to go back to the old house, right? I'm taking you home. We'll stay there for a while."

He smiled, a little wistful. "I have wanted to go back, but the winters in Westbrook

are so harsh now. I'm not sure these old bones can handle it."

"It's okay, Grandpa. There's heating. We'll see how it goes. If it gets too uncomfortable, I'll take you somewhere warmer. Maybe even abroad."

“Wherever you want, I'll be happy,” he said, giving her an affectionate look. He knew why she was really leaving she couldn't stay in New Amberton, and she couldn't bear the thought of leaving him behind.

"I just worry about you," she whispered.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Don't. As long as you're with me, I'm happy."

Lucie felt tears sting her eyes. This was all her fault. If she hadn't been so stubborn about marrying Steven, her grandfather wouldn't be forced to move at

his age.

Seeing her eyes well up, Mr. Anderson reached over to comfort her. "Don't cry. We'll get through this. Westbrook is a fresh start.

"And it's the heart of the archaeology world. Tons of antique experts. It'll be good for your work, too."

Lucie nodded, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Grandpa."

"Silly girl. Everything's going to work out."

***

Meanwhile, Steven finally dropped Bria off at her villa, but his mind wasn't on her.

He couldn't stop thinking about Lucie.

He'd tried calling her again and again-her phone was still off. Worried, he sent a bodyguard to the hospital to check on her.

"Andy, what did you find out?"

Andy looked nervous. "Mr. Heath, Ms. Anderson and her grandfather have already checked out."

"Which hospital did they transfer to?"

"It looks like they left New Amberton altogether. I heard Ms. Anderson chartered a

jet and took her grandfather to Westbrook."

Steven went silent, his mind suddenly blank.

Maybe it was for the best. At least with her gone, she and Bria wouldn't be at each

other's throats anymore.