The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 14

"Have Christian take them back." His voice was incredibly calm, yet carried an undeniable, commanding authority. "This matter ends here."

"But—"

"No buts." Lawrence walked right up to his wife, lowering his voice just enough so that everyone present could still hear him. "The daughter-in-law of the Lancaster family is currently Evelyn. As for anyone else, or anything else, we will talk after a thorough investigation."

"Investigate what?" Penelope grew frantic. "Look at him! That boy is clearly a Lancaster! Look at his eyes, his nose, he looks exactly like Christian did when he was little!"

"Looking alike does not make it a fact," Lawrence replied coldly. "I will have my people run a proper check. Until then, you had better keep your mouth shut and stop spreading gossip."

Terrified by her husband's absolute tone, Penelope's face cycled between red and pale, but she did not dare talk back.

Lyra held the child, a suffocating wave of anxiety washing over her. Yet, she maintained a flawless, composed smile and softly said, "Lawrence, Penelope, I am so sorry for the trouble. Christian, let us go."

Christian nodded. He tossed a brief 'We are leaving' to his parents and walked out with Lyra and the boy.

After the doors shut, Lawrence and Penelope were the only ones left in the sprawling living room.

Penelope finally broke down, tears streaming down her face again. "Lawrence, how could you do this? That boy is clearly..."

"Whether he is or not, we will wait until the paternity test results are out." Lawrence walked over to the sofa and sat down, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Penelope, let me ask you this. If that boy is not Christian's, how do you plan to clean up the mess you made today with all the things you said?"

Penelope froze.

"Did you even consider the consequences of saying all that right in front of the child?" Lawrence continued, his tone exhausted. "If it turns out he is not Christian's son, how is Lyra supposed to show her face? What happens to the boy?"

"Impossible! He has to be—"

"There is always a what-if." Lawrence cut her off. "And even if he is Christian's, you are forcing him to divorce and marry Lyra right now. Where does that leave Evelyn? She has spent three years in this family without putting a single foot wrong, and this is how you treat her?"

"Not putting a foot wrong?" Penelope scoffed. "Failing to produce an heir in three years is her biggest failure!"

"It takes two people to have a child!" Lawrence suddenly raised his voice. "Do you have any idea how Christian has treated her these past three years? They never consummated the marriage, so how exactly was she supposed to get pregnant?"

Christian's car pulled out of the estate and merged into the city traffic.

In the passenger seat, Lyra held the sleeping Leo, her gaze fixed on the rapidly retreating city lights outside the window, her eyes dark and unreadable.

In the rearview mirror, Christian noticed her tightly pressed lips and her slightly trembling fingers.

He wanted to say something, to comfort her, or perhaps offer an explanation.

But in the end, he remained silent, simply tightening his grip on the steering wheel.

Some things were just too soon to say.

Certain truths needed time to be verified.

And certain people...