The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 192

New York, JFK International Airport, international arrivals terminal.

Sebastian Thorne had barely stepped off the plane when Lance Sterling met him at the jet bridge, wearing a rare, grim expression.

"Boss." Lance stepped forward to take his briefcase, lowering his voice. "Something happened... in San Francisco."

Sebastian didn't break his stride. His face remained impassive, but his eyes instantly sharpened. "Explain."

"An emergency call from the family." Lance's voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "The patriarch personally gave the order for you to return immediately. The situation... isn't good."

Sebastian's footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

He turned his head to look at Lance. Years of unspoken understanding allowed him to read the underlying message on his assistant's face—this wasn't a standard family matter. It was a critical emergency that demanded his immediate, personal intervention.

Airport announcements echoed overhead as flight information scrolled across the screens. Travelers bustled around them, staff pushed luggage carts, and everything operated in standard routine.

But in that exact moment, Sebastian's world sharply constricted.

He looked up and out the airport windows—St. Jude's Medical Center was somewhere in this sprawling city. Right now, Evelyn should be there, keeping watch by her grandfather's bed.

He could have headed straight there to see her. There were things he needed to say to her face-to-face.

But now...

"Prep the private jet." Sebastian's voice was frighteningly calm, every word laced with ice. "We're heading back to San Francisco immediately."

Lance was stunned. "Right now? But what about Ms. Sullivan...?"

"San Francisco first." Sebastian cut him off, already pivoting toward the private terminal. "Family matters cannot wait."

He moved swiftly, the hem of his black trench coat carving a sharp arc behind him. A few passengers from his flight seemed to recognize him and wanted to approach, but the oppressive aura radiating from him forced them back.

Lance hurried to keep up, pulling out his phone to make the calls. "Understood. I'll get it sorted. The earliest we can take off is... half an hour."

"Twenty minutes." Sebastian didn't look back. "Tell them to prep at maximum speed. Expedite all flight path clearances."

"Understood."

The two men moved through the VIP corridor, where staff had already been notified and were waiting to swiftly process their transfers. The entire sequence was ruthlessly efficient and silent, filled only with the clacking of keyboards and low-pitched commands.

Entering the private lounge, Sebastian stopped in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Outside, a sleek Gulfstream G650 was slowly being towed out of the hangar. The dying light of the sunset spilled over its silver fuselage, glinting with a cold, hard edge.

Lance finished his calls and approached, his voice still low. "Everything is set. Do you... need me to look into the specifics of the situation at home first?"

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