The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 193

Lyra's father spoke up with a dark expression, his tone indignant but his volume carefully controlled. "We all know how hard it was for Lyra during those years abroad! To help our family through that crisis, she worked herself to the bone over there, teaching dance, taking on gigs... And now look, these people are just opening their mouths and spreading rumors!"

As he said this, his gaze seemingly casually shifted toward Christian, then quickly darted away, but that brief eye contact was enough to convey the message—our daughter is innocent; she's the victim.

Lyra lowered her eyelashes, her fingers lightly gripping the bedsheets as her voice dropped to a whisper. "Dad, Mom, stop... The truth will speak for itself. Let them write whatever they want."

"How can we stop!" Her mother's volume rose slightly, then dipped back down as if she were desperately fighting back her emotions. "We dragged you down... If the company hadn't run into trouble back then, you wouldn't have suffered so much abroad, working yourself to death to pay off our debts..."

She paused, as if suddenly remembering something, and turned to her husband. "Right, you need to go to the school and pick Leo up. The poor boy can't stay at the Lancaster estate anymore, not with all this gossip flying around."

Her husband caught the cue and nodded immediately. "Right, right, I'll go get him now. Lyra, you just rest. Don't worry about the boy."

He turned to leave, but his steps were agonizingly slow, as if he were waiting for something.

Right on cue, Christian spoke. "The boy is fine at school. There's no need to pick him up."

His voice was flat, betraying zero emotion.

Lyra's father stopped in his tracks, turning back to look at him with a conflicted expression. "Mr. Lancaster, we know you mean well. But given the current situation... Lyra's reputation has been dragged through the mud. If Leo stays at the Lancaster estate, it'll only cause you more trouble. We might not be high society, but we still have our pride."

The performance was airtight—it simultaneously showcased the Langford family's 'dignity' while highlighting Lyra's 'grievances' and the 'awkward position' she was putting the Lancasters in.

Lyra coughed weakly on cue, her face growing even paler. "Dad, just go... Bring Leo back to our house. From now on... we need to draw a clear line with the Lancaster family so we don't drag Christian down."

As she said this, her eyes shifted to Christian, the rims slowly turning red. "I'm sorry... Christian. I really didn't want to cause you any trouble. What happened that night... I was willing. You don't need to feel pressured, and you don't need to take responsibility."

The air in the hospital room thickened.

Her mother wiped her tears from the sidelines, while her father let out a heavy sigh, playing the role of the burdened parents perfectly.

Christian stood rooted to the spot, silent for a very long time.

Outside the window, the sun slowly dipped toward the west, casting long shadows across the room. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, every second stretching out into an eternity.

Finally, Christian spoke. "We'll discuss the boy when things stabilize. For now... leave Leo where he is."

He didn't promise anything, but he didn't refuse either.

That was enough.

Lyra let out a breath of relief internally, though her face contorted into deeper guilt. "I'm sorry... Christian, I really don't want to burden you. You should go. Don't worry about me."

Christian looked at her, his gaze so dark and deep it was completely unreadable.

Then, he turned and walked out of the room.

The door clicked shut.

Only the three members of the Langford family were left inside.

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