The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 334

For the next three days, Lucie threw herself into work, determined to keep her mind off everything else. Sixteen priceless antiques had been stolen from her collection. With Steven’s help, nine had been recovered, and he’d even managed to get back the money Nathan made from selling them. But the remaining seven pieces were already overseas, and even though Steven’s people were still searching, it was unlikely they’d ever see them again.

The rest is up to me, she thought.

She had her lawyer coordinate with the police, putting together all the clues and evidence from the theft. She also reached out to a few respected figures in the antiques world, asking them to keep an eye on the black market for her missing pieces.

Every day was the same: if she wasn’t at a medical check-up or trying to get some rest, she was on the phone or glued to her laptop, sorting through reports and making calls.

“Ms. Anderson, are you sure you’re in a hospital? It feels like you’ve just moved your office here,” Ruby joked one morning.

Lucie just smiled faintly, not bothering to answer. Staying busy was the only way she could keep Steven—and everything else that hurt—out of her mind.

That afternoon, after a call with a friend overseas, she learned that two of the missing jade pieces had popped up on the black market in Southeast Asia. She took a steadying breath, opened her phone, and messaged the estate manager: Increase security at the warehouse. I’ll be there tomorrow.

Of course, miss. I’ll arrange it right away.

Once she’d sent the message, Lucie set her phone down and leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment.

Right now, she had one goal: recover her collection, deliver her baby safely, and then disappear from Steven’s world for good.

The next morning, Lucie traveled to the temporary warehouse with a nurse by her side. The warehouse was tucked away in a villa on the edge of the city, surrounded by cameras and security guards.

Ashton, her manager, and the police were already waiting when she arrived. Ashton hurried over as she stepped out of the car. “Ms. Anderson, why’d you come yourself? The roads here are rough, and you should be resting.”

“I couldn’t just sit around,” Lucie said, glancing at the neatly arranged display cases inside. “How’s the inventory?”

“All checked. Except for the seven missing items, everything else is safe and sound,” Ashton said, handing her a detailed list.

Lucie ran her finger over the familiar names—her grandfather’s favorite blue-and-white porcelain vase, a 16th-century Hetian jade sculpture, the old calligraphy painting he used to cherish. Every piece carried a memory.

She took a slow breath, fighting back the ache in her chest. “Any updates from Southeast Asia?”

“They found the gang’s hideout and are planning a raid soon,” Ashton said, sounding worried. “But if the gang gets desperate, they could destroy the antiques.”

Lucie paused for a moment. “Ashton, can you get in touch with Ricky at the auction house for me?”

“You want to…”

Lucie froze, her face turning cold. “Who let you in?”

Steven didn’t answer. He walked over, set a thermos on her bedside table, and spoke in a low, rough voice. “I asked Ruth to make you some bird’s nest soup. You should have some.”

“Take it away,” Lucie said, turning her face away.

Steven crouched down so he was eye-level with her. “I know I scared you the other day. I’m sorry.”

It was the first time he’d ever apologized so openly. There was a crack of vulnerability in his voice that Lucie had never heard before.

Her heart stuttered, but she kept her tone icy. “That’s not necessary, Mr. Heath. There’s nothing left for us to talk about except the baby.”

“There’s more,” Steven said, holding her gaze. “I found out that the leader of the smuggling ring has gambling debts. He’s planning to sell your antiques to a Middle Eastern buyer. The deal’s happening this weekend.”

Lucie whipped around to stare at him. “How do you know that?”

“I have my ways,” he said, pulling a slip of paper from his pocket. “Here’s the time and place of the deal. Give it to the police. They’ll know what to do.”