The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 136

At The Pinnacle Apartments.

"We'll take our leave now, Ms. Langford," Lina, the lead stylist from Elysian Couture, said with a flawless, professional smile, bowing slightly. Her assistants had already packed up the massive wardrobe trunks and tool kits behind her.

"Thank you for your hard work today, Lina, and everyone else. I truly appreciate it." Lyra stood by the door, returning a perfectly poised smile, her voice gentle and elegant. She had already changed into a light champagne silk blouse and wide-leg trousers. The exquisite tailoring highlighted her graceful figure beautifully.

Lina's eyes briefly swept over Lyra's outrageously expensive new outfit and the meticulously applied makeup that barely concealed a trace of exhaustion. Deep in her eyes, there was only professional detachment. The wealthy elite's secrets, the morning's chaotic drama, the future Mrs. Lancaster... these topics might become gossip with her colleagues later, but they would never leak onto her face while she was on the clock. She simply smiled and nodded again. "You're too kind. It's our pleasure. Have a wonderful day."

The door clicked shut softly, and the footsteps in the hallway faded away.

Leaning against the closed door, the gentle smile on Lyra's face receded like the tide, leaving behind nothing but a cold stillness, beneath which lurked an unshakable tension. She didn't linger in the entryway, turning instead to walk back into the living room and sinking into the wide, plush sofa.

Her phone was sitting right beside her. She picked it up and unlocked the screen.

Blinding push notifications and thumbnails instantly flooded her screen.

'BREAKING! Christian Lancaster Caught at Apartment! Mrs. Lancaster Arrives to Command the Situation!'

'Starlight Media Exclusive: Lyra Langford Returns with Heir. Has Her Long Journey Finally Reached the Altar?'

'Elite Drama Unfolds! Lancaster Heir's Scandal Breaks the Internet. Mrs. Lancaster Hints at Impending Engagement!'

Lyra's heart violently contracted, her fingertips going cold. She clicked into the most popular news app. The moment it loaded, a tidal wave of detailed articles and photos flooded her feed.

A rapid-fire barrage of questions. Lyra could easily picture her mother's face right now.

"Mom, don't worry," she said, her tone a mix of helplessness and a hint of grievance. "I just saw the news. It was... an accident."

"An accident?" Martha clearly didn't buy it. "The pictures are crystal clear! And Penelope's words were caught on tape! Tell me the truth. Is someone playing games behind the scenes? Are they targeting you, or Christian? Or..." Her voice dropped, probing carefully. "Did you plan this yourself?"

Lyra's chest tightened, and she immediately denied it. "Mom! What are you talking about?! How could I... Christian drank too much last night, and I just brought him back to take care of him. I never expected Penelope to show up suddenly, let alone all those reporters outside... I'm still completely lost right now!" She perfectly injected panic, humiliation, and a breathless sob into her voice.

Silence lingered on the other end of the line for a few seconds as Martha seemed to evaluate her words. Then, her tone softened, but the calculating undertone grew even thicker. "Alright, alright. I'm not blaming you. It's just so sudden... But," her tone shifted upwards, the glee barely contained, "looking at it now, this might actually be a good thing! It's blown up so much that the Lancasters have to give you a proper answer to save face and secure Leo! Penelope even said the word 'engagement' in public... Lyra, the title of Mrs. Lancaster might actually land in your lap this time!"