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.

"Can you believe it? Lucie and Steven are actually divorced. So much for the fairytale ending," someone posted.

"They were only together for business anyway. I heard their marriage was all for show. Didn't Mr. Heath have a bunch of mistresses? Wasn't he hooking up with his assistant recently?"

"That's just what made the news. Imagine what else he's hiding."

"Please, he's got enough money to play king. He could have a different girl every night."

"Didn't Lucie cheat too? Didn't she go to a club and leave with a bunch of male escorts? Wasn't she just spotted kissing that blonde guy?"

"Rich people's lives are always such a mess..."

The news was everywhere. Lucie and Steven's divorce shot to the top of trending searches in less than a day.

When Steven saw the official

statement, he lost it. Heath

International was already under fire lately, with the entertainment

division ordered to shut down an

Lucie had gone public with their. breakup at the worst possible time, dragging them all back into the spotlight he'd just barely managed to escape.

"Damn it, Lucie. Are you really trying to go up against me?" he growled slamming his fist onto his desk "You didn't even discuss this with me you just announced it to the whole world..."

In the boardroom, tension was thick. Executives whispered to each other, trying and

failing to act like they weren't watching a disaster unfold.

"Oh my god, Mr. Heath really got divorced."

"I can't believe it. Mrs. Heath was amazing. Why would he dump her? Was it for Shannon?"

“No way. He'd have to be out of his mind to pick Shannon over Mrs. Heath."

"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.