Chapter 312

Steven barely reacted. He shot Lucie a look, letting her know the choice was hers.

When she heard that the antiques had already been sold, Lucie felt a dull ache in her chest. Her frown deepened. Still, what was done was done. Getting the money back was better than nothing.

"Alright," she said.

Nathan's face went pale with panic. “It's just—my useless son's already spent some of it. Maybe... maybe "

Before he could finish, Steven's expression turned icy. "I don't want your excuses," he cut him off, voice cold and sharp. "You have three days to get every cent back. Not a penny short."

"If you're missing even a little, your son or your grandson can feed the fish at the bottom of the ocean. And don't think hiding your family overseas will keep them safe."

He tossed a fat stack of photos at Nathan's feet. Inside were pictures and details of his two sons, three grandkids—no one missing. Even the daughter Nathan had with his mistress was there, every detail accounted for.

The message was clear. Say no, and his family would start dropping, one by one.

Nathan nearly fainted from fear. He pounded his chest, stammering, "I'll do it! I swear I'll get it! Even if I have to sell everything—my house, my land—I'll have the money in three days!"

Jose, seeing this, started begging too. "Ms. Anderson, Mr. Heath, I never sold any of the artifacts! The pieces I hid are still safe! Spare me, please. I'll do anything!"

Lucie glanced at the blood on his forehead, not feeling a thing. When they betrayed her family, they should've known this day would come. She turned to Steven, her voice calm and distant. "Let the police handle it from here. Follow the law."

Steven nodded, giving his bodyguards a signal. "Keep them here until Kun confirms the artifacts. Then hand them to the police."

"Yes, Mr. Heath." The guards dragged the two men away, locking them up again.

"The rest of you, out."

Ruby looked at Lucie, nervous.

Steven's tone was like ice. "Leave."

Lucie nodded at Ruby. "Go on. All of you."

"Okay." Ruby led everyone out, leaving the room empty except for Lucie and Steven.

The air felt heavy, the silence awkward and tense.

Lucie stared out the window, feeling chilled to the core. "Of the three antiques that ended up overseas, one was my grandpa's favorite—a blue-and-white plum vase. I'll probably never see it again."

"I'll have someone look for them," Steven offered.

Lucie didn't turn around. "That's not necessary. Thanks for helping today, but I'll handle the rest."

She didn't want to owe him anything. She didn't want any more ties between them.

As for Cody... if things got truly desperate, she knew she wouldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Steven acted like he hadn't heard her. He moved closer, his voice suddenly soft. “Lucie, you don't have to keep drawing lines between us."

"There's nothing left between us," she replied, turning to face him. Her eyes were cold and distant. "There never was, there isn't now, and there never will be.”

Steven's eyes darkened, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"You don't have to push me away. I just want to help. That's all.”

Lucie felt a tightness in her chest. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come. What else could she say?

Steven looked at her for a long moment, then reached out, almost on instinct, as it wanting to hold her "You'll always be family to me. If you ever need anything, you can come to me"

Lucie took a quick step back, dodging his hand. The distance in her eyes was sharper than ever. "Don't, Steven."

"I know you want me to donate bone marrow for Cody. If... if it comes to that, I'll help."

Her reaction pricked him like a pin, popping the fragile warmth he was trying to build.

Steven's hand dropped back to his side. "Cody's marrow results are back."

"It's confirmed. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The doctors say he needs a transplant, as soon as possible."

Lucie's heart dropped. She'd suspected, but hearing the word "confirmed" made it almost impossible to breathe.

“What about the match?” Her voice sounded far away, even to herself.

"I'm only a half-match. It's not enough." Steven looked at her, something desperate in his eyes. "The doctors say a full match is "The doctors s most likely from an immediate family member. Lucie, you're the

only one..."

"I get it. You don't have to say more," Lucie cut him off, looking away. "When do you

want me to get tested?"

Steven's eyes lit up, just for a second, like someone finding hope at the last

moment. "Tomorrow morning. The hospital is ready."

"Okay.” Her agreement was barely louder than a sigh.

She wasn't a saint. She couldn't just forget how deeply he'd hurt her. But Cody was innocent. Even if it was someone else's child, she'd still help if she could.

“Lucie, I'm not just helping you because of Cody," Steven said. And then, before he could stop himself, he pulled her into a hug.