Chapter 173

Lucius offered Lucinda a polite smile, then turned to Valerie, who was leaning against the headboard. "I'll be in the study going through a few contracts. Call me if you need anything." Valerie waved a hand to show she'd heard him. Only when his tall figure disappeared beyond the doorway did Lucinda finally exhale, clutching her chest. "God, Lucius' presence is terrifying. I thought my heart was going to give out." She closed the door and hurried over to Valerie's bedside. "What's going on? Does he know that I know about you two?" Valerie gave her a tired look. "You came knocking on the door yourself. I had to give him a reasonable explanation." Lucinda poked her forehead in annoyance. "You know damn well why I came! You vanished right after something this big blew up. No calls or messages. I thought you were dead." Valerie rubbed the spot where she'd been poked. "Lucinda, don't forget I'm sick right now." To prove it, she grabbed the thermometer from the nightstand and pointed