The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 206

1:30 PM, The Zenith top-floor viewing suite.

Evelyn arrived half an hour early. She chose a seat by the window, ordered a pot of tea, and quietly gazed at the New York skyline. The autumn sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a pale golden glow over her fitted black dress. Her tweed jacket was draped over the chair beside her.

She was completely calm.

The waiter refilled her water twice as the clock ticked to 1:40.

The door to the suite was gently pushed open.

Julian St. Claire walked in.

He wore a dark grey suit with no tie, the top button of his shirt undone, carrying a dark brown leather portfolio. Seeing Evelyn already there, he paused before flashing a warm smile.

"Ms. Sullivan," he approached the table. "My apologies for making you wait."

Evelyn set her teacup down and looked up at him. "You didn't. I just arrived myself."

Julian took the seat across from her and placed his portfolio on the table. A waiter entered, poured him tea, and quietly slipped out.

The suite fell silent, the faint hum of traffic outside being the only sound.

"Mr. St. Claire," Evelyn spoke first, her voice calm. "What kind of partnership did you want to discuss? As far as I know, there shouldn't be any professional overlap between me and your law firm."

Julian picked up his teacup and blew on it gently. "This isn't on behalf of the firm. It's personal."

Evelyn looked at him, her gaze clear. "Then tell me directly. No need to beat around the bush."

"You're very straightforward, Ms. Sullivan." Julian smiled, a hint of admiration in his expression. "Then I won't waste your time."

He set down his teacup, pulled a flat black velvet box from his portfolio, and slid it toward her.

"What is this..." Evelyn didn't move, merely staring at the box.

"Open it and see," Julian said.

Evelyn remained silent for a few seconds before reaching out to pop the box open.

Inside lay a modern, artistic brooch. The silver base was embedded with lapis lazuli and pearls, forming an abstract shape. But looking closely, it was clearly a rose intertwined around a caduceus—the symbol of medicine.

She raised her eyes. "Meaning?"

"A small token." Julian leaned forward slightly. "Consider it... my way of apologizing."

"For that," Julian continued, lowering his voice, "I felt I owed you an apology. So, consider this gift my compensation."

Evelyn set her cup down, her gaze returning to the brooch.

She recalled what Madeline had told her about Christian showing up at her door, accusing her of drugging him, and waving those photos as proof.

"You're not angry, Ms. Sullivan?" Julian studied her reaction.

Evelyn looked up, her lips twitching into a slight smile. "What's the point of being angry? It's already happened."

She stared at him. "But Mr. St. Claire, you've orchestrated all of this—helping Lyra get in with the Lancasters, pulling strings in the dark... you didn't do all this just to watch a good show, did you?"

Julian smiled, the sharp, dangerous edge of his true nature showing for the first time. "You really are smart, Ms. Sullivan."

"I have no interest in the Lancaster family's feuds." Evelyn cut him off. "And I don't want to get dragged into them. If you asked me here today to recruit me to help you take down the Lancasters, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed."

Julian's smile faded slightly. "After everything they did to you, you don't want revenge? Watching the Lancaster Group collapse and Christian fall from grace wouldn't give you satisfaction?"

"It wouldn't." Evelyn answered bluntly. "Whatever happens to the Lancasters, whatever happens to Christian, it has nothing to do with me. My life isn't just about revenge, and my worth isn't tied to the survival of their company."