The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 160

(The Lancaster Estate, Living Room)

The massive flat-screen TV in the living room was broadcasting the GNN international feed of the East African "Rebirth Ceremony." The footage switched to Chief Olonana's emotional speech and the unveiling of the "Rose Angel" statue.

The bone china teacup in Penelope Lancaster's hand slipped and slammed onto the coffee table with a loud clatter. Tea splashed everywhere, but she didn't even notice. Her eyes were glued to the screen, her shrill voice trembling with disbelief and a subtle, creeping panic. "Is... is that... Evelyn Sullivan?! That... how could she... this is impossible! What kind of stunt are those savages pulling?!"

Lawrence Lancaster had been leaning back in his armchair with his eyes closed, resting. He was absentmindedly rubbing a string of agarwood prayer beads—a gift Evelyn had specially sourced for him three years ago when she first married into the family, after hearing he had trouble sleeping. He had used them ever since. Hearing his wife's shriek and the faintly familiar voice coming from the television, he slowly opened his eyes.

When the screen clearly displayed the woman wearing a floral tribute, her expression tranquil and poised as she spoke brief, fluent Swahili, Lawrence's fingers abruptly stopped moving over the beads.

He leaned forward, his relaxed expression instantly freezing. A flash of confusion in his eyes was rapidly devoured by massive shock.

Penelope turned deathly pale at her husband's unprecedented, harsh reprimand and the blunt comparison. Her lips trembled, but she couldn't formulate a single strong word in return. Evelyn's calm, overpowering presence on the screen felt like a silent, brutal slap across the face of all her past prejudices and schemes.

Lawrence turned away from her, locking his eyes back on the screen. He watched Evelyn calmly accept the rustic yet grand honor. He watched the natural respect and understanding she showed while interacting with the tribal elders. He noticed the camera catching Sebastian Thorne in the audience, his eyes dark and unreadable as he stared at the stage... A highly complex wave of emotions surged over Lawrence. He felt shocked, enlightened, and guilty for not trying harder to truly understand her, even if he had tried to protect her. But more than anything, he felt a profound sense of regret and... a cold clarity.

He slowly leaned back against the sofa, resuming his methodical rubbing of the prayer beads. His voice was laced with exhaustion, yet clearer than it had ever been. "I only just realized that agreeing to the divorce back then wasn't me doing her a favor. It was because... Christian, and this entire Lancaster family, simply couldn't keep her, and... we never deserved her in the first place."