The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 251

"You didn't dig deep enough," Christian cut him off. "I want to know exactly what she did every single day. Who she met, how much she spent, her bank transactions... every last detail. And I want everything on the six months before she returned, and immediately after. Who did she associate with? What happened?"

His tone grew increasingly icy. "Miles, do you honestly buy it? A woman dancing ballet in France returns home with a child and effortlessly twists me around her little finger? Every single time, it's just so convenient. So many coincidences? There's a saying—too many coincidences means it was designed that way."

Miles fell silent.

"Someone is backing her." Christian straightened up and lit another cigarette. "If it isn't a direct backer, then... there's someone else. But whoever it is, they're undeniably tied to her."

Smoke drifted through the air, blurring his features.

"Then..." Miles asked hesitantly, "are you still going to marry her?"

Christian exhaled a plume of smoke and smiled. It was a cold, faint smile that sent a chill down the spine.

"Keeping her close is the only way to expose whoever is hiding in the shadows," he said. "Proceed with the wedding preparations as planned. Send out the invitations. I want to see for myself if the woman I walk down the aisle with is a devoted wife or a venomous snake."

Miles looked at Christian, suddenly feeling as though the man standing before him was a stranger. Over the past eight years, he had seen Christian be ruthless in business, and he had seen him cold and detached in his marriage, but he had never seen this look in his eyes—suspicion, vigilance, and the simmering fury of absolute betrayal.

"Understood." Miles closed the folder. "I'll reassign the team to start digging from the France angle. As for locally... should we also audit the Langford family's recent financial transactions?"

"Do it," Christian ordered. "That five million for Lydia is too suspicious. The Langford family is an empty shell right now. There's no way they have that kind of liquid cash."

"Right away." Miles nodded. "I'll go make the arrangements."

He turned toward the door, but just as his hand brushed the handle, a knock sounded from the other side.

Miles glanced back at Christian.

"I missed you, so I came to see you." Lyra stepped close, naturally reaching out to straighten his tie. "Let's get dinner tonight? I booked a table at your favorite Japanese restaurant."

Her fingers were soft, her movements light, carrying a faint trace of expensive perfume.

Christian caught her hand, his smile never wavering. "Sounds perfect. But it might have to be a little late. I still have some things to wrap up."

"That's fine. I'll wait." Lyra leaned her head against his shoulder, her voice brimming with contentment. "As long as I get to be with you, I don't care how long I have to wait."

Christian wrapped an arm around her shoulders, but his gaze drifted past her, staring out the window into the gathering darkness.

The sunset had completely faded, leaving only a streak of dark red across the horizon.

Night was falling.