The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 102

Lyra's heart skipped a beat. He knew who she was?

"Do we know each other?" She maintained her basic politeness, but her tone was entirely distant. "If you don't mind, please step aside. I have somewhere to be."

The man chuckled softly, a sound that sent a sudden chill racing down her spine.

"You're overthinking things, Ms. Langford," he drawled lazily, snapping the silver lighter shut with a crisp click. "I have absolutely zero interest in you."

The color instantly drained from Lyra's face.

His words were blunt, layered with unmistakable contempt. In all her life, no man had ever spoken to her with such blatant disrespect. A mix of humiliation and fury surged through her, bringing a flush of heat to her cheeks.

"You—" She gritted her teeth, desperate to lash out, but she forced herself to hold back. She couldn't afford to make a scene here and draw unwanted attention.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to step around him.

The man simply shifted his stance, smoothly blocking her path once again.

"What exactly is your problem?" Lyra finally snapped, keeping her voice low but unable to mask her seething rage. "I don't have time to play these stupid games with you!"

"Stupid games?" The man tilted his head, a mocking glint in his eyes. "I think it's quite fascinating. Take your little 'plan' for tonight, for instance."

Those last few words were spoken softly, yet they exploded like a bomb in Lyra's ears.

Her breath hitched violently, and the blood in her veins felt like it had turned to ice. She stared at the man in sheer horror, her pupils constricting as a cold numbness spread to her fingertips.

"What... what are you talking about?" Her voice began to tremble, though she desperately tried to maintain her composure. "What plan? I have no idea what you mean."

Lyra's face turned completely ashen.

It wasn't that she hadn't considered the risk. She was simply betting that the drug's aftereffects would create a sense of lingering dependency, betting that he would accept a "drunken mistake" as an excuse. She banked on the assumption that even if he had suspicions, he would sweep it under the rug for the sake of their upcoming business deals and the baby she planned to carry.

But what if... what if he actually looked into it?

"There are security cameras in the restaurant. The waiter saw you carry the glass of water in, and your fingerprints are all over it." The man continued smoothly. "Even if you get rid of the glass, all it takes is one word from Christian, and The Zenith will be turned upside down. When that happens, do you really think you can walk away from this?"

Cold sweat slid down Lyra's spine. A wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her to lean against the wall for support.

"What... what do you want?" Her voice trembled with absolute despair. "Are you going to turn me in? Or is this blackmail?"