From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 161

Lydia pushed open the bathroom window, and a dark silhouette caught her eye. "Mrs. Foster, do you need something?" It was a bodyguard.

Her gaze dimmed. "Nothing."

Just then, her phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she pulled the window shut, sat on the closed toilet lid, and answered.

"Mom?"

"Lydia, you have to believe Frederick. He would never betray you."

It didn't matter anymore.

Still, she humored Madeline. "Yeah."

"Lydia, there's something I've kept from you all these years. I didn't lose the baby in the hospital. Back then, devastated by your father's betrayal and barred from seeing you, I collapsed in that tiny apartment from a massive hemorrhage. Frederick was the one who found me. He called 911 and saved my life," Madeline choked up. "If he hadn't brought me news and photos of you during those five years, I wouldn't have survived."

"A person's reputation is everything. It doesn't matter how much money or power you have—once it's ruined, the whole world turns against you."

"You have to help him."

So that was the truth.

The image of a young boy flashed through Lydia's mind.

She was four, and Frederick was eight.

When they first met, her family was still intact, and she was the pampered little princess of the Suttons.

Frederick had just lost his biological mother. Charles had brought him back to the Foster estate to be raised by Seraphina.

During a banquet at the Foster estate.

He wore an ill-fitting suit and endured the mockery of being called an illegitimate child. Some kids even whispered cruel names behind his back.

His fists clenched stubbornly at his sides, but he never uttered a word of protest, letting them laugh and throw things at him.

She had rushed over, shielding him and demanding they stop.

Someone splashed juice on her pristine dress, and overwhelmed, she burst into tears.

Suddenly, screams erupted around them.

Rubbing her tear-filled eyes, she watched the young boy throw a punch, knocking down the kid who had spilled the juice.

He didn't stop until the bully cried and apologized to her.

Forgetting to cry, she looked at Frederick in awe, immediately declaring him her hero.

They attended the same elite international academy from kindergarten all the way through high school.

From that day on, they were inseparable.

Her cold fingers curled into her palm, and her voice sounded defeated. "Okay. Thanks for trying, Daniel."

"I've already destroyed the divorce agreement. Please thank your contact for me, I really appreciate his help. I won't cause you any trouble. Don't worry about the certificate anymore—I know what I have to do."

"I have to go, Daniel. There are a lot of reporters waiting outside."

"Alright. Remember, you can call me anytime if you need anything," he urged.

"I will."

She ended the call, changed her clothes, cleaned the bruise on her forehead, and stepped out of the bathroom.

When she exited the lounge, Charles was already waiting.

"Lydia, are you ready?"

"No matter what the press asks, don't panic. You must firmly express your absolute trust in Frederick, understand?"

She nodded and followed Charles toward the blinding flash of cameras at the end of the hall.

Back then, she had fallen from heaven to hell.

She went from being a cherished princess to a burden, becoming an outcast just like Frederick.

Yet he never let anyone bully her. He even took a beating from Arthur just to protect her.