The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 230

The Langford apartment, 11:00 PM.

When Lydia pushed open the front door, a single floor lamp cast a dim, golden glow over the living room, barely piercing the shadows in the corner.

Mrs. Lane, the nanny, was quietly cleaning in the kitchen. She peeked out at the sound, relief washing over her face the moment she spotted Lydia. "You're home."

Lydia offered a noncommittal hum. She carelessly tossed her purse onto the entryway console and strode into the living room, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor.

The heavy leather bag slid and hit the glass coffee table with a dull thud.

Instantly, a baby's piercing wail erupted from the nursery.

Lydia paused, her brow furrowing in annoyance.

Lyra stepped out of the nursery almost immediately, cradling her newborn son, Leo. Startled awake, the little boy's face was flushed red as he squirmed restlessly in her arms.

"Keep your voice down." Lyra's tone was icy, her glare cutting across Lydia like a knife. "Can't you see the baby is sleeping?"

Lydia collapsed onto the sofa and crossed her legs, her attitude entirely dismissive. "Didn't see him."

Mrs. Langford hurried out of the kitchen. Catching the distinct smell of alcohol clinging to her youngest daughter, she frowned deeply. "Lydia, you reek of booze... Go take a shower first. We'll talk when you're done."

"Not going." Lydia leaned her head back and closed her eyes. "I'm tired."

Noticing the dark storm brewing on Lyra's face, Mrs. Langford quickly reached out to pull Lydia up. "Be a good girl and go wash up. Mom made you some hangover tea..."

"I said I'm not going!" Lydia violently yanked her arm away, her voice suddenly spiking. "Weren't you the ones who told me to come back? If you have something to say, say it. If not, I'm going to bed!"

The crying from the nursery grew louder.

Lyra gently rocked her son, but her eyes remained locked on Lydia. It was a gaze cold enough to freeze water. She didn't say a word, but the suppressed fury radiating from her was suffocating.

Sweat beaded on Mrs. Langford's forehead. She shot Lyra a pleading look while forcefully hauling Lydia off the cushions. "Come on, come on, Mom will help you draw a bath. You'll feel so much better. We can take our time and talk after..."

She practically dragged a resistant Lydia into the bathroom.

Even as the door shut, Lydia's irritated voice echoed out, "Get out, Mom! I can wash myself!"

---

The living room finally settled into silence, save for Leo's gradual, quieting hiccups.

"Spit it out," she said, blowing out a plume of smoke. "Why did you call me back?"

Lyra set her bowl down and methodically wiped her hands with a napkin. Only when she was finished did she look up at Lydia.

"I'm sending you out of the country."

She delivered the statement with absolute finality.

Lydia's fingers paused mid-drag. Then, she laughed. "Are you really in that much of a rush to get rid of me?"

"It's not a want, it's a necessity." Lyra's tone was completely flat. "You staying here does neither of us any favors. Tonight proved it—you can't control yourself. You're a walking liability."

"So what?" Lydia raised an eyebrow. "You're just going to exile me?"

"You're going to study abroad," Lyra corrected. "I'll have some friends set you up at a university overseas. You can spend a few years getting a degree. It'll be good for you. As for everything that happened before... we'll let it go. I won't even look into who bailed you out."

Lydia stared hard at her sister for a long moment before asking, "Are you in such a hurry to ship me off because you're terrified I might uncover one of your little secrets if I stick around?"

Lyra's expression stiffened imperceptibly, but she smoothed it out just as fast. "What secrets could I possibly have? Stop letting your imagination run wild."