The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 184

Inside the CEO's office at the Lancaster Group headquarters, the clock struck eleven at night.

When Preston pushed the door open, Christian was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows. His silhouette looked tense and completely isolated against the city's neon skyline. He held a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid gently swirling as he moved.

"Boss." Preston approached the desk, his tone incredibly cautious. "I have the results you asked for."

Christian turned around, his gaze cutting through the dim lighting like a razor. "Speak."

Preston opened the file folder in his hands and began his report, keeping his tone as objective and steady as possible. "Regarding Lydia Langford drugging Ms. Sullivan, I reached out to our contacts at the police department and pulled the case files. It happened the night of your father's birthday banquet."

Christian's grip violently tightened, the glass emitting a faint, dangerous creak.

"According to the police records, halfway through the banquet, Lyra handed Ms. Sullivan a glass of wine, and Lydia spilled a drink on her," Preston said as he turned a page. "Ms. Sullivan left the hall early to change her dress, and Lydia sent someone to follow her. The drug Lydia used was a type of aphrodisiac..."

"Who was it?" Christian's voice was frighteningly low.

"Caleb Vance." Preston paused. "The youngest son of Vance Holdings, and... a friend of Lydia's."

Christian's eyes narrowed dangerously. Caleb Vance—a notorious playboy with an absolutely garbage reputation in their social circles.

"Keep going."

"Caleb Vance attempted to assault Ms. Sullivan, but was..." Preston's expression grew complicated. "He was stopped by Mr. Thorne. Mr. Thorne happened to be there, subdued Caleb, and took Ms. Sullivan to the hospital. Later, after she recovered, she filed a police report."

The air in the office suddenly froze solid.

The glass in Christian's hand finally surrendered to the pressure, shattering with a sharp crack. The amber liquor mixed with fresh blood, dripping down his fingers onto the carpet and blooming into dark red stains.

Preston jumped in horror. "Boss! Your hand—"

"Leave it." Christian's voice sounded as if it were echoing from a freezer. He blindly grabbed some tissues from the desk, wrapping them haphazardly around his bleeding fingers, his eyes never leaving Preston. "So that night, she... she was almost..."

He couldn't even bring himself to finish the sentence.

Preston swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes. If Mr. Thorne hadn't been there at exactly the right time, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Christian closed his eyes, his temples violently throbbing. He remembered that night vividly—his father's birthday banquet. He had been so busy entertaining guests, with Lyra clinging to his side the entire evening. He hadn't even noticed when Evelyn disappeared. He only realized she was missing as the banquet was winding down.

And then?

He had tried to call her, but her phone was off. He assumed she was just throwing a tantrum—after all, Lyra had been with him all night, parading Leo around as if they were a perfect little family of three.

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