The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 225

Lyra's hand violently gripped the tablecloth, the silk twisting deeply between her fingers.

"Christian..." Mr. Langford's throat bobbed, his voice completely parched. "Lydia is... young. She was just foolish..."

"In her twenties, and you call it foolish?" Christian turned around, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, as frigid as winter iron. "Or is this simply the standard of the Langford family's upbringing?"

The words were brutal. Mr. Langford's face flushed a deep crimson before draining to a sickening pale. His mouth hung open, but no sound came out.

Lyra finally found her voice, a trembling whisper slipping through her lips. "Christian, Lydia... knows she was wrong. Now that she's out, she'll definitely change..."

"Change?" Christian cut her off, the corner of his mouth curving into a completely humorless smile. "Whether she changes or not has nothing to do with me. But listen to me clearly—"

He took two steps forward, stopping at the end of the long table. He planted both hands on the surface and leaned in slightly, his shadow looming over them with suffocating pressure.

"Her little schemes against Evelyn—buying internet trolls, spreading rumors, defamation—the evidence chain against her is flawless. The only reason she's out right now is because Evelyn hasn't pressed the issue yet." His pace was unhurried, every word razor-sharp. "It's not that she's innocent. It's that she was temporarily let off the hook."

Mrs. Langford's breathing hitched violently.

The last trace of color vanished from Lyra's face.

"Let me make this perfectly clear today," Christian continued, his voice low but striking like a sledgehammer against their chests. "I couldn't care less about your family's messy affairs. But since we are going to be a family soon, you had all better learn your place."

He paused, his gaze moving from Mr. Langford to Mrs. Langford, before finally locking onto Lyra.

"Especially Lydia. If she dares to pull any more stunts behind the scenes, if she provokes people she shouldn't provoke—" His tone turned glacial. "I will personally send her back to prison. And this time, I'll make sure she never gets out."

He delivered the final sentence so softly, yet it sent a simultaneous shudder through all three of them.

The final spark of life died in Lyra's eyes. Her lips trembled, but she couldn't formulate a word.

Mrs. Langford's quiet weeping started again.

Mr. Langford slumped back into his chair as if all the strength had been siphoned from his body.

Christian gave them one last look before turning toward the door.

With his hand on the doorknob, he paused, though he didn't look back.

"Remember what I said today. Stay in line, and everyone will have an easy life. If you cause another scene—you'll deal with the consequences."

The door opened, and then clicked shut.