The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 20

"Warn me about what?!" Lyra pressed viciously.

The line fell completely silent once more before the PI slowly exhaled. "Ms. Langford, I highly advise you to drop any further schemes against Mrs. Lancaster."

"Why?"

"Because she has... heavy hitters backing her," the PI said ambiguously, but the raw dread in his voice was impossible to miss. "And I mean untouchable players. We got lucky today; they only gave us a verbal warning. Next time... it will not end well."

Lyra crushed the phone in her grip. "What kind of people are backing her? Spit it out!"

"I apologize, but I literally cannot say," the PI hesitated. "But considering our long history of doing business, take this free advice: there are certain people in this world you simply do not cross. Our transaction ends here. We are refunding fifty percent of your deposit, and you can consider the remaining half the price of keeping you alive."

"What the hell do you mean?!" Lyra exploded. "I threw an insane amount of money at you, and this is how you perform?!"

"Ms. Langford," the PI's voice turned ice-cold. "We have already done you a massive favor. Watch your own back."

With that, he immediately killed the call.

"Hello?! Hello!" Lyra shrieked into the dead line, met only with a dial tone.

Shaking with uncontrollable rage, she violently hurled her phone onto the hardwood floor!

Crash! With a deafening shatter, the screen fractured into a spiderweb, spraying shards of glass everywhere.

The violent noise triggered a sudden wail from the adjacent nursery.

Startled awake by the chaos, two-year-old Leo sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes. Seeing his mother's twisted, demonic expression, he burst into terrified, hysterical tears.

"Shut up!" Lyra screamed, completely losing her mind.

The boy cried even harder, wailing uncontrollably.

Just then, a firm knock echoed from the bedroom door.

"Ms. Langford?" It was Mrs. Lewis, the manor's veteran maid. "I heard a crash. Is everything alright? I brought Leo's medication upstairs."

Lyra took a massive breath, violently forcing her facial muscles to relax. She quickly bent down, scooped up her shattered phone, shoved it into the vanity drawer, and practically sprinted to the door, pulling it open.

Her face had instantly morphed back into a mask of maternal gentleness.

"We are perfectly fine," she cooed in a velvet tone. "I just accidentally dropped my phone. The noise frightened Leo."

Mrs. Lewis stood at the door holding a tray with a small dosage cup. She cast a brief glance at the hysterical toddler in the nursery, then back at Lyra's disheveled hair, but did not breathe a single word of inquiry.

Having served the Lancaster family for twenty years, the maid knew exactly what to ask and what to stay utterly blind to.

"The medication is ready. Better have him take it while it is warm," Mrs. Lewis handed over the cup. "The young master seems terribly shaken. Would you like me to soothe him?"

"No need, I will handle it," Lyra took the cup, flashing a flawless, aristocratic smile. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Lewis."

"It is my duty." Mrs. Lewis nodded respectfully. "Please rest well, and call for me if you require anything else."

Mrs. Lewis turned and headed down the stairs, her footsteps fading into the distance.

"Alright, alright, stop crying." She forced herself to pitch her voice softer, mechanically patting the boy's back. "Mommy is right here. No more crying."

Leo gradually quieted down, resting his head against her shoulder as his tiny hands clung desperately to her collar.

Lyra walked over to the window, staring out at the dead, silent darkness surrounding the luxury estate.

This suburban manor was just one of the Lancasters' minor properties, rarely ever used. Christian had specifically parked her and Leo out here, using the excuse that it was "quiet and perfect for resting."

But she knew the brutal truth: this was nothing more than the Lancaster family stalling for time.

Lawrence was deeply suspicious of her, and while Penelope blindly supported her, the old woman wielded absolutely zero real power in that family.

Which meant Christian had no choice but to hide her away out here for the time being.

But that was fine.

As long as she had Leo, and as long as the internet was practically crucifying Evelyn, she had every confidence she could manipulate her way back into the Lancaster throne room step by step.

But now...

Evelyn had actually managed to run away.

And someone terrifying was out there protecting her.

"Evelyn Sullivan," Lyra hissed into the dark glass, her voice dropping to a demonic whisper. "You might have survived this time, but I swear... there will be no next time."