CHAPTER 131: THE RUNAWAY EX IS BACK!

Lucien’s POV

I missed Sera but sensed Ralph, who looked tense, and his voice was shaky. I could even feel that he was trying to say something, but was hesitant.

I looked at him, slow and cold, the air around me shifting with my gaze. "What happened?"

Ralph swallowed but didn’t answer.

"I asked you a question," I demanded again, pressing onto him. "Is she alright?"

His head dipped lower, as if he were trying to hide from my gaze and not face me properly.

Something must have happened. Something bad enough to make him hesitate to tell me that he was this afraid!

I stood up slowly and steadily. My voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge beneath it. "You better start talking," I said, stepping around the table. "Because if anything has happened to her..."

I didn’t bother finishing the threat. He knew exactly what I was capable of.

And none of them would be able to stop me if I decided to burn the whole city down just to bring her back to me.

"She’s safe... for now," Ralph finally said in a low voice, like he was scared even to speak, and I didn’t like that.

If something had happened, then he must inform me! What did he mean by not giving me clarity on Sera’s situation?

No one in this world was more important to me than Sera!

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, staring him down. "What the hell happened?"

"There was a fight," he finally opened his mouth. "At her family’s place... She... She was injured while she ran away from home and vanished... However, Lancaster brothers found her location already, and she is supposed to be safe for now!"

I closed my eyes and took a breath. But it didn’t help.

I couldn’t help but regret not taking Sera away from the Lancaster mansion! Although I had threatened them that if something happened I’d take Sera away, but in the end, she still suffered.

"What happened further?" I questioned, trying to keep myself composed. "If she is fine? And where is she residing? Don’t tell me she is at her dorms or still confined in that home?"

I asked several questions in a row. I was so worried that I ignored the fact that Ralph had already told me Sera vanished and was found later.

"Actually, I... after hearing the news, I contacted Lia and got some news related to the incident and... It is said that Mrs. Lancaster aka Stephenie planned everything, sent her sons to meet Mr. Adrian but soon they realized and rushed back... They particularly dragged Sera into their plan!"

"They dragged her into it?" My voice came out quieter this time, but colder. "What else happened ?"

He nodded as he continued. "Even after she left... Melissa continued with her act but it falter when Asher punished her by taking away her properties and even sold it all!

She started yelling about a house Asher sold. Then she brought Seraphina into it—blamed her like always. Even Mrs. Lancaster said some nasty things about her. Called her low-level and worthless."

That was it.

That was the last straw.

How could a mother be so cruel?

I thought my family was curel enough, until Sera arrived in my life!

And just why the hell did I not know about her before? Or did I?

I stood still for a few seconds thinking as my body was tense, my hands curling into fists without me even noticing.

"They keep blaming her..." I muttered, more to myself than to him. "They keep dragging her name through the dirt... even when she’s not around to defend herself."

"She didn’t even show up to the fight," Ralph added quickly. "She had no part in it. Asher and Alistair were the ones who defended her. But still... it got ugly."

"I don’t care who defended her," I said sharply, turning toward the window. The sky outside looked calm that it felt wrong to me!. "She shouldn’t have needed anyone to step in. If she was there... In good condition, no one would have dare to open their mouth.

He didn’t speak and it was a smart choice from his side!

I walked across the room, grabbed my coat, and slid it on without breaking eye contact.

"Get the plane ready. I’m leaving tonight."

"But the meeting—" he started.

"Cancel it. Or let them run it without me. I don’t give a damn."

He hesitated, then nodded.

"And I want someone watching her, but from a distance. I want eyes on her all the time. Don’t make any mistakes. And if someone even thinks of hurting her again—"

I paused, letting the silence say the rest.

He lowered his head. "Understood." I didn’t say another word. Just walked out of the room.

I didn’t care how big the empire was. I didn’t care about titles, meetings, or bloodlines. I only cared about her.

And the next time someone tried to hurt her— They’d answer to me, personally.

As I walked out of the room, I had a feeling Ralph still wanted to say something. But he didn’t say anything probably because of the way I acted or I didn’t give him the chance.

For a second, I thought about turning back and asking him, but there was no time for that now.

Right now, I just wanted to reach Seraphina. I needed to see her, hold her close, and tell her she’s not alone and there was someone who still cares about her.

That I’m still there for her.

*****

After six long hours in the air, I was finally back in the capital. My mind was wholly occupied by Seraphina. I was longing for her, Just see her face, hear her voice... make sure she was okay. I was in a hurry to leave but...

But just as I had exited the airport and was ready to jump in the car that was already waiting for me, someone grabbed me from behind... hugged me so tightly I nearly stumbled forward.

What the hell—

I gritted my teeth and turned around fast, ready to shove them off.

But the moment I saw the face, I froze.

Evelyn Bells. My runaway ex!

The woman who ran away like a coward.

What the actual hell was she doing here... now of all times?

"Lucien!" she opened her mouth, her voice sugary and soft just like I remembered, it always like this when she wanted something from me. Her arms wrapped around me from the front now, clinging as if the past hadn’t happened and we were still in a happy relationship.

My hands stayed in the air, stiff, unwilling to touch her. I was even scared to touch her accidentally. She was the filthiest person I had ever seen!

I turned my head sharply toward Ralph, giving him a look. He hesitated for a second until my glare dropped cold enough to kill him.

He got the message and understood what he should do!

Without a word, Ralph stepped in. Her peeled her off my body with ease, and handed me a fresh handkerchief like he knew what I needed before I asked. Then he pulled out a clean blazer from the car.

I shrugged off the blazer she had touched, dropped it straight into the trash nearby, and wiped my hands like I was scrubbing off filth. I didn’t even blink and kept doing what was necessary.

"Get me a different cologne," I muttered as I put on the new blazer. "I don’t want to smell like her."

"Lucien..."

Her voice cracked behind me. I turned just enough to see her face. Tears had started to gather in her eyes, making her look like the most miserable person in this world.

I was in a mess after seeing her out of the blue. It was getting hard for my mind to process her sudden appearance

But I’d seen her act before. And I didn’t care about that anymore.

I adjusted my cuffs and gave Ralph a nod to walk ahead. I didn’t say a word to Evelyn.

Because I had better things to do and someone else needed me.

And because I wasn’t the same fool she once left behind.

I stepped into the car with jaw clenched, barely holding back the irritation bubbling inside me. Ralph slid into the front passenger seat, quietly instructing the driver to get going.

"Why didn’t you tell me?" I asked sharply, snatching the perfume from his hand. "You could’ve warned me."

"..."

There was a silence as Ralph didn’t respond right away.

I caught a glimpse of him in the rearview mirror... His mouth opened, then closed again as if he was looking for the right words.

"What is it?" I demanded in a heavy tone as my eyes turned frosty.

"It’s not that I meant to hide anything..." Ralph finally said, eyes fixed ahead. "But I thought the matter regarding Young Miss Seraphina was more urgent than dealing with her."

I didn’t reply immediately. I leaned back into the seat, letting the silence settle.

For a second, I felt a trace of satisfaction in my chest.

After all... Evelyn was not an important factor in my life as she used to be!

"So," I said at last with a faint smirk tugging at my lips, "you do know when to act and when to shut up." I further added. "It’s good to know that you’ve set your priorities at the right place!"

Ralph didn’t say anything and just nodded politely!