From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 160

Xavier's large hand slipped off her wrist, his cool fingertips trailing lightly over the back of her hand, leaving a phantom chill against her skin.

Forcing a bright smile, Lydia waved at him, then turned and marched straight toward Charles.

“Lydia, I'm glad you've finally come to your senses.”

“The private jet is fueled and waiting.”

“But before we take off, you'll be giving a press conference to stabilize the narrative back home.”

“The stock prices are already hemorrhaging. If we don't reassure the shareholders, the financial fallout will be apocalyptic,” Charles dictated as he ushered her toward the black SUV.

They climbed into the backseat.

The vehicle roared to life, cruising right past Xavier.

Lydia couldn't tear her eyes away from his imposing figure standing on the curb. For some reason, he looked completely desolate, and the heavy stare tracking her car was suffocatingly dark.

Maybe he was just terrified she wouldn't make it back in time to play her part.

“Hand over the settlement papers right now,” Lydia demanded, tearing her gaze away and cutting off Charles's rambling.

She absolutely refused to let him hold Daniel's career over her head.

Charles's eyes widened, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face.

“You still have my divorce certificate. What are you so paranoid about?”

“I gave you my word, and I'll see this through.”

“But you are going to hand me those papers right now. Otherwise, there will be no press conference, and I certainly won't be boarding that jet.”

Seeing the absolute finality in her glare, Charles ordered Jordan to hand over the dossier.

They soon pulled up to the venue.

To her shock, Gable and Griffin were already there waiting.

“Why are you here?” she asked.

“Mrs. Foster, Charles instructed the estate staff to pack a change of clothes for you. Since they don't know your style, they called me. I brought your wardrobe over,” Gable explained warmly.

Griffin stood silently to the side, stoic as ever.

When it came to the assault charges, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Frederick was innocent.

He simply wasn't driven by base lust.

Even if he were, he would never stoop to something so barbaric.

Not to mention, Sierra was right there with him.

Locking the bathroom door behind her, Lydia stared at her bruised, bloodied reflection in the mirror for several long minutes. Then, she clamped her hands onto the divorce settlement papers. With vicious, jagged motions, she ripped them into tiny shreds and dumped the remains into the toilet bowl.

The roar of the flush echoed off the tiles, sucking every last piece of evidence down the drain.

Daniel had told her the truth—her divorce had been processed. She was legally a free woman!

No matter what vile tricks Charles pulled, he couldn't alter the facts.

And now, the only evidence that could ruin Daniel and his mentor had been completely eradicated.

She...

Lydia slowly turned her gaze toward the small frosted window above the sink. She could climb out right now. She didn't have to play their sick game anymore.