The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 185

And then, the position of Mrs. Lancaster would be wide open.

Even if it didn't go to Lydia, at the very least, her sister Lyra would have a chance. And in the ensuing chaos, Lydia might find a way to get closer to him.

A wave of pure disgust washed over Christian.

This twisted, venomous scheme had festered right under his nose for three whole years. And he hadn't noticed a single thing.

"Did Lyra know about this?" he asked, his voice rasping.

"That... I haven't found concrete evidence of that yet," Preston replied cautiously. "But based on current leads, Lyra probably didn't know. Lydia did all of this behind her back. Besides, Lyra has been busy taking care of Leo lately and... repairing her relationship with you. She likely didn't have the energy to plot something like this."

Christian fell silent.

He thought back to how Lyra had acted recently—gentle, considerate, always playing the understanding "ex" by speaking well of Evelyn in front of him.

Was she truly innocent in all this?

Or... was she just an incredible actress?

"Boss," Preston asked, "what's our next move? Lydia has already been sentenced, and Caleb is locked up. Should we still..."

"Have someone 'take good care' of Caleb in there," Christian ordered, his voice dripping with ice. "He likes to play around so much, right? Let him play to his heart's content."

A chill ran down Preston's spine as he understood his boss's underlying meaning. "Understood."

"And the Vance family." Christian walked over to the desk, pulling out a tissue to wipe the blood from his hand. "Look into every industry Vance Holdings has their hands in. Stretching their reach this far, even daring to touch my wife... Do they think the Lancaster family is dead?"

His tone was calm, but the sheer murderous intent laced in his words made Preston sweat.

"I understand." Preston nodded. "I'll make the arrangements immediately."

Christian waved his hand, and Preston tactfully backed out of the room.

The office plunged back into total silence.

Christian walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the brightly lit city. The cut on his hand was still throbbing, but compared to the agonizing sting in his chest, the physical pain was absolutely nothing.

He finally understood why Evelyn's gaze was always so incredibly calm and utterly detached whenever she looked at him.

It wasn't just indifference.

It was absolute disappointment.

What right did a husband have to demand his wife's trust and reliance when he didn't even know she had been drugged and nearly assaulted right under his nose?

He pulled out his phone and scrolled to Evelyn's contact.

His finger hovered over the call button, but he couldn't bring himself to press it.

What would he even say?

Apologize? It felt too hollow.

Explain? It was too ridiculous.

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