Chapter 69

Steven could see right through her. That little frown of his said it all; he already knew what she was up to. Shannon didn't want to go abroad, so she'd pulled this whole stunt to get out of it.

She peeked up at him, tears shining in her eyes, trying to look as pitiful as possible. "I'm sorry, Steven. I didn't mean to cause trouble again. It's not that I don't want to listen to you or go overseas. I was just distracted while driving and ended up rear-ending someone." She let out a weak cough. "Please don't be mad at me, okay?"

Shannon bit her lip, looking so fragile and innocent.

Steven's heart twisted painfully. With her looking up at him like that, how could he possibly stay upset?

"Don't be mad, please? Don't ignore me," she begged, coughing softly like she was barely holding on.

She was the very picture of vulnerability, and it was impossible not to feel for her.

"There, there. Why would I blame you?" Steven said softly, gently ruffling her hair. "The most important thing is that you're safe. Just rest and recover. I need to go home."

Shannon let out a quiet sob and clung to his sleeve like a scared little girl. "You're going to see Lucie, aren't you?" Her voice trembled. "Can you not go? Stay with me, please? Steven... please...”

Tears streamed down her face, her nose and lips quivering as she cried.

Steven just sighed, completely helpless. He watched her with a mix of exasperation and affection, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Don't cry. I'll stay with you for a while, okay?"

A shy, grateful smile broke through her tears. "I knew you wouldn't leave me. Cough..." ." She threw her arms around his neck, holding him tight.

Steven could only pat her back gently, like calming a child. No matter how cold or tough a person seemed, there was always a soft spot-and for Steven, Shannon was it. Every time he saw her face, his heart just melted.

Meanwhile, out on the streets in the middle of the night, a red Ferrari tore through the city. The engine roared like a wild animal, echoing down every empty street.

Lucie almost never drove like this; she wasn't the reckless type. But tonight she just couldn't get her emotions under control. She floored the gas, leaving her bodyguards. eating dust miles behind.

By one in the morning, Steven had finally slipped out of the hospital after making

sure Shannon was asleep.

"Any luck finding Lucie?" he asked, his voice sharp.

Nick, his assistant, looked flustered and nervous. "Mr. Heath, she's been

driving too fast. We lost her None of

us could keep up."

Steven's face darkened, panic and frustration boiling over. "Useless! Get her car's location, now!"

"We're tracking it. The car's stopped at the ocean overlook."

Steven didn't waste another second. He jumped into his own car and sped off, making a thirty-minute drive in just fifteen.

When he pulled up at the overlook, the red Ferrari was parked nearby.

"Lucie!" he called, his heart racing. He ran to the car, only to find it empty. The keys were still in the ignition.

He searched the area, calling her name over and over. "Lucie! Lucie, where are you?"

But the only answer was the sound of waves crashing against the shore.