The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 231

"Is that right?" Lydia smiled, a twisted edge to her lips. "Then I want to go to the UK. How does that sound?"

Lyra's voice turned frosty. "No. The UK isn't an option. Pick somewhere else. The US, Canada, Australia—take your pick."

"I'm going to the UK," Lydia stated firmly. "And I want fifty million dollars."

"What?" Mrs. Langford gasped. "Fifty million? Lydia, have you completely lost your mind?"

Lyra's brow furrowed sharply. "Do you even grasp how much money that is?"

"Of course I do." Lydia nonchalantly flicked her cigarette ash. "You're about to marry Christian Lancaster. With his net worth, fifty million is absolute pocket change. Honestly, I should be asking for five hundred million."

"Lydia Langford!" Lyra finally snapped, her voice spiking. "Are you delusional? I haven't even married into the Lancaster family yet. Where on earth would I get that kind of cash? And even when I do, their money isn't mine to just throw around!"

"Isn't it?" Lydia tilted her head. "But Lyra, if you can't even scrape together fifty million, then playing Mrs. Lancaster seems pretty pointless, doesn't it?"

She paused, her tone growing venomous. "Or... are you actually terrified you won't even make it down the aisle? The Lancaster family didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for you at dinner tonight, did they?"

The words struck Lyra exactly where it hurt most.

Her face drained of color, her fingers curling into tight fists at her sides.

Mrs. Langford frantically tried to smooth things over. "Lydia! Stop talking nonsense! Your sister's wedding is set for next month..."

"Set?" Lydia sneered. "Mom, do I look stupid to you? Did you see Mrs. Lancaster's face tonight? Did you hear what Mr. Lancaster said? 'If there's another scandal, we'll have to reconsider this union.' Did you think I was deaf?"

The air in the living room turned to stone.

Lyra stared at Lydia, a flash of genuine, murderous intent crossing her eyes for the first time.

But she forced herself to remain in control. Taking a deep breath, she spoke again. "Fifty million is out of the question. You know the financial state of this family. We don't have that kind of liquidity."

"The family might not, but you do." Lydia shrugged effortlessly. "The engagement gifts the Lancasters gave you, the shares and real estate Christian promised you... liquidate a little of that, and boom. Fifty million."

"I'm not married yet. I don't have full access to those assets," Lyra gritted out. "Lydia, wake up. If you stab me in the back now, this family goes down, and you go down with it. Do you think those lowlife friends of yours will bail you out? Will they fund your lavish lifestyle?"

Every question landed like a physical blow.

Lydia's smug expression slowly eroded.

Lyra pressed her advantage. "Five million. That's the absolute maximum we can give you. It'll be wired to an offshore account in one lump sum. If you behave yourself abroad and keep a low profile, I'll send more once my position is secure."

"Five million?" Lydia scoffed. "What am I, a beggar?"

Lyra fell silent for a few seconds, calculating the risks. Finally, she nodded. "Done. I'll pull some strings to get you a new identity. You fly out in a week."

The negotiation was over.

Lyra turned and headed for her bedroom. Just as she reached the door, she paused, speaking over her shoulder without looking back.

"This is the last lifeline I'm throwing you. Don't waste it."

The bedroom door clicked shut.

Lydia and Mrs. Langford were left alone in the living room.

Mrs. Langford rushed to her youngest daughter, grabbing her hands with tear-filled eyes. "You have to be good. Study hard over there and stay out of trouble. When your sister succeeds, you'll succeed too. It's the only way our family survives..."

Lydia looked at her mother and suddenly broke into a sweet, innocent smile. "Okay, Mom. I promise."

The smile was saccharine, the picture of obedience.

Yet, Mrs. Langford couldn't suppress a sudden, involuntary shiver.

Because in her daughter's eyes, there wasn't a single trace of warmth.