The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 195

Christian's grip on his glass tightened.

"I know," he said in a low voice. "But what choice do I have? I did a paternity test, and the kid is definitely mine. She said those photos were just misunderstandings, that she was forced to attend those events to help her family... I looked into it, and the Langford family really was on the brink of bankruptcy three years ago, only to suddenly recover with untraceable funds."

"And you believe her?" Grant asked.

Christian was silent for a long time.

"I don't know," he finally admitted. "But I have no options left. The whole city is laughing at me, the board is constantly pressuring me, and my mother is screaming at me every day. If I deny it now, it's only going to look uglier."

The booth fell silent, save for the deafening thrum of the club's bass.

Blake suddenly burst into a grin.

"What's so funny?" Christian frowned.

"I'm laughing because you're too close to see the full picture." Blake picked up his glass, swirling the amber liquid lazily. "Christian, since you're out of options, why don't we turn this trap... into something that actually works for you?"

Christian looked up at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Look at it this way," Blake leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Here's the current situation: Lyra is back with your kid, her scandalous past is trending online, and you're the city's biggest joke. Denying it? Pointless. Your mother already bragged about the engagement, and Lyra's pregnancy is bound to leak sooner or later. When it does, you'll be backed into an even tighter corner."

He paused, studying Christian's reaction. "So, since that's the case, let's flip the script. We turn this 'scandal' into a beautiful story of a romantic reunion."

"A romantic reunion?" Christian scoffed. "What reunion? The inspiring tale of me getting played like a fool by a woman?"

"No, no, no," Blake shook his head. "Listen to me. We spin the story like this: You and Lyra were college sweethearts. You were deeply in love. But then, due to certain circumstances—like family pressure, or a tragic misunderstanding—you were forced apart. You had no choice but to marry Evelyn, but that was just fulfilling an elder's dying wish. You only felt a sense of duty toward her, never love. For three years, you didn't even touch her. You always treated her like a sister."

Christian's eyes flickered.

"And what about Lyra?" Blake continued. "She was all alone abroad when she found out she was pregnant with your child. To protect your marriage, she chose to silently endure, having the baby and raising him all by herself. Those years abroad were incredibly difficult for her—not because she was sleeping around, but because she was surviving, trying to give your child a better life. Those photos? All misunderstandings. Situations she was forced into out of sheer desperation."

Grant chimed in, "The beauty of this angle is that it turns you into a loyal, deeply devoted man. Even though you married someone else, you kept your first love in your heart. Lyra becomes the resilient, inspiring single mother who sacrificed everything for love and her child. As for Evelyn... she's just a passing phase, a brief interlude in your epic love story."

"Plus," Blake whispered, "this makes the board incredibly easy to manage. You didn't get scammed; you were bound by love and taking responsibility. Now the broken mirror is whole again, a family reunited. What better ending is there? All those people laughing at you will suddenly admire your dedication."

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