The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 247

JFK International Airport, International Departures Hall.

At 7:00 AM, the airport was already bustling with life. The PA system continuously cycled through flight announcements in multiple languages, while rushed travelers dragged their luggage toward the massive security lines.

Near the VIP fast-track entrance, Lyra Langford stood in a beige trench coat, oversized sunglasses shielding her eyes. She stared blankly at her younger sister, who was dragging a heavy suitcase.

Lydia Langford had acquired a completely new identity—Anna Williams. Her passport, her academic transcripts, her credit cards... all belonged to this fabricated persona. She was dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans, heavy combat boots on her feet, and a massive crossbody bag slung over her shoulder. Half her face was obscured by her own pair of dark sunglasses.

"Someone will pick you up once you land in France," Lyra said, her voice impossibly flat, completely devoid of emotion. "Your housing is already sorted out, not far from the university. You have a housekeeper and a nanny waiting there. Your living expenses will be wired to your account every month."

As she spoke, she pulled a bank card from her clutch and handed it over to Lydia. "There's a trust fund loaded with millions of dollars on this card. The pin is your birthday. While you're out there... behave yourself."

Lydia snatched the card, her fingertips grazing the smooth plastic. A sneer twisted the corner of her mouth as she stared at her sister through the dark lenses. "Don't worry, dearest sister. I'll definitely behave myself."

Mrs. Langford stood off to the side, her eyes already swollen red from crying. She grabbed her youngest daughter's hand, her voice cracking with sobs. "Lydia... if anything happens, you call home, do you hear me? Take good care of yourself out there. Make sure you eat right, don't stay up too late, and stay away from bad crowds..."

"What exactly is calling you going to do?" Lydia snapped, ripping her hand away, her tone dripping with toxic sarcasm. "Mom, what are you actually good for besides crying? When I was rotting in prison, how many times did you call me? How many times did you visit?"

The words struck Mrs. Langford like a physical blow. She covered her mouth, sobbing too hard to speak.

Mr. Langford stood a few steps back, his face a mask of livid tension. He stared at his youngest daughter, his lips twitching slightly before he finally forced out a single sentence: "Once you're over there... keep your head down."

Mrs. Langford was still weeping uncontrollably. "Lyra, do you think Lydia... do you think she hates us?"

"Hate?" Lyra's lips curled into a bitter mockery of a smile. "She's hated us for a long time. From the exact moment she went to prison, she hated us."

She slid her sunglasses back on and turned away. "Let's go, Mom. She chose her own path. Let her walk it."

The three of them turned and left.

Meanwhile, having already cleared security, Lydia stood in front of the massive glass windows of a duty-free shop. Through the reflection, she watched her family walk away.