The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 103

"Turn you in?" The man looked as if he'd just heard a hilarious joke. "If I wanted to turn you in, I wouldn't be standing here wasting my breath."

He paused, a fleeting chill flashing in his eyes. "I just happen to dislike certain people, and I want to make their lives a living hell."

Lyra's sharp instincts caught the crucial detail. "Certain people?"

The man didn't answer. He just gave her a deeply meaningful look.

In a flash of realization, a name crossed Lyra's mind—Evelyn Sullivan.

Was he targeting the Sullivans? Or... Evelyn herself?

"You have a grudge against the Sullivans?" she probed cautiously.

A cryptic smirk touched the corners of the man's lips. "If that's what you want to believe, Ms. Langford, feel free."

It was practically an admission.

Lyra's heart raced. Her terror was slowly being replaced by a glimmer of hope—a desperate grasp at a lifeline, intertwined with the twisted thrill of finding a co-conspirator in the dark.

"You want to help me?" She licked her dry lips. "Why?"

"I told you, I dislike certain people," he said flatly. "If Christian falls out completely with Evelyn over this drug incident, maybe even turning into bitter enemies... now that would be quite an entertaining show."

Lyra understood. This man had some old beef with the Sullivans and wanted to use her to permanently shatter the relationship between Christian and Evelyn. For her, this was a godsend. If someone could set up the perfect scapegoat and erase all traces of her tampering, her risks would drop to zero.

"What can you do?" she asked, her tone still guarded.

"Security footage can be erased. A waiter's memory can be 'corrected.' And..." He paused deliberately. "A perfect suspect can emerge to take the fall for you."

"Who?"

"You're running out of time, Ms. Langford. The drug is about to peak. You need to get back to that suite." He took a step back, clearing the path. "Remember, if you want to rise to the top, you have to be ruthless. Leave no loose ends. Otherwise... you'll be the next one trampled underfoot."

With that, he turned and walked down the hallway, his silhouette quickly melting into the shadows around the corner.

Lyra stood frozen, gripping the black card, her fingers icy cold.

The corridor was dead silent, save for her ragged breathing and the frantic pounding in her ears. She looked down at the silver numbers, feeling as though she were staring at a crossroad between heaven and hell.

Faint laughter drifted from the suite.

She snapped out of her daze, stuffing the card deep into her clutch, right next to the remaining pills.

Taking a deep breath, she plastered her gentle smile back on, smoothed her dress, and stood tall before walking back toward the heavy doors of the suite.

Every step her heels took on the carpet felt like she was walking on the edge of a blade.