The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 150

Private Restaurant.

Dinner was at an exclusive, hidden-away spot just down the street from The Zenith, where they had run into each other two days ago. The ambiance was elegant, the private dining room perfectly quiet.

Julian was remarkably attentive and knew exactly how to set the mood. The dishes he ordered were exquisite, and two of them were specifically tailored to the preferences Madeline had casually mentioned during their brief chat the other night. He even selected a smooth, fruity white wine to pair with the meal.

"Try this. I remember you mentioning you prefer a lighter, steamed preparation," Julian said effortlessly, placing a piece of tender fish onto her plate.

A rush of warmth and a subtle thrill coursed through Madeline. "You have an amazing memory..." she murmured softly. She took a bite—it was incredible.

They talked as they ate, shifting from law school nostalgia to the realities and challenges of their careers. Julian was witty and insightful, and when he casually mentioned a few high-profile cases he had won, Madeline listened in total awe. He was equally attentive when she talked about her own professional hurdles, offering perfect advice and encouragement. His focused, gentle gaze made her feel entirely seen and valued.

Before she knew it, half the bottle of wine was gone. A faint flush touched Julian's fair cheeks. His eyes grew softer, and he took off his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose in a way that looked wonderfully relaxed and... incredibly sexy. Madeline was a heavyweight when it came to drinking, but between the ambiance and the way he looked at her, she felt a slight, pleasant buzz. Her cheeks were warm, her eyes bright.

Time slipped away. By the time they paid the bill and stepped outside, the city was bathed in neon light.

"Let me call a driver," Julian said, pulling out his phone and swiping at the screen with the slight, sluggish delay of someone who had a bit too much to drink.

"Where do you live?" Madeline asked, the cool night air clearing her head.

"Silverwood Residences, down in the South District," Julian replied, naming an ultra-exclusive, private luxury complex.

"Oh! That's actually on my way home!" Madeline's eyes lit up, the words out of her mouth before she could stop them. Realizing she sounded a bit too eager, she quickly pivoted. "I mean... since I'm heading that way anyway, why don't I drive you? I only had a glass, I'm perfectly fine." She jingled her keys, trying to sound like a rational, helpful colleague, but the hope in her eyes was obvious.

Madeline's stomach dropped. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, and her smile faded a fraction, though she tried to keep her tone breezy. "Yeah... I saw some of it. It's definitely making waves."

"I seem to remember," Julian drawled slowly, his voice dripping with genuine concern, "that your best friend is... Evelyn Sullivan? Christian's ex-wife?" He paused, his eyes looking worried in the dim light. "This whole mess must be taking a toll on her, right? Some of the comments online have crossed the line from gossip into outright defamation and privacy invasion. If it gets out of hand and she needs legal muscle—like suing for libel or defamation—you can always come to me. St. Claire Partners focuses on corporate law, but our litigation department is world-class. We have the resources and the network. Don't hesitate to ask."

His offer was flawless—the picture-perfect image of a capable, protective mentor stepping up for a friend.

But Madeline's heart was in her throat. She used the excuse of checking her rearview mirror to shoot Julian a quick glance. He was still leaning back in his seat, looking entirely relaxed and concerned.

"Evelyn is..." Madeline chose her words carefully, remembering Evelyn's strict orders to play dumb. "She's fine. She's keeping a level head. Actually... she's out of the country right now on vacation, so she's probably ignoring all the noise." She tried to make it sound like a trivial detail.

"Out of the country?" Julian raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely surprised before nodding in understanding. "Good timing. A change of scenery is exactly what she needs. Where did she go? If she's in a major city, I could reach out to some international partner firms to make sure she's looked after. It's always good to have connections when you're abroad."