The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 274

The atmosphere outside the ice cream shop froze instantly.

Lyra stood behind Jocelyn, her eyes locked on the hand Piper had wrapped around Christian's arm.

She knew exactly who this girl was.

Christian's cousin, Piper Brooks. Lyra had never liked her. Back in college, when Lyra and Christian were dating, Piper was constantly pulling dirty tricks behind her back. Lyra just never voiced her complaints.

But even though she stayed silent now, Jocelyn’s temper flared like a lit fuse.

Stepping forward, Jocelyn pointed a finger straight at Piper, her voice cutting like a knife. "Who the hell are you calling by his first name so intimately? Who is this little tramp? Christian, your fiancée is pregnant with your child, and you're out here messing around with some skank? What the hell is this?"

The moment "little tramp" left her mouth, the sweet smile on Piper's face vanished.

Her eyes widened, a flash of disbelief crossing her features before it was quickly swallowed by pure rage. She abruptly dropped Christian's arm, took a step forward, and raised her hand.

"Who are you calling a little tramp?!"

Christian's brow furrowed deeply. He reached out to block Piper, but he was a second too late.

Seeing the raised hand, Jocelyn didn't flinch or step back. Instead, she pushed her chest out, thrusting her pregnant belly forward, and let out a cold laugh. "What? You want to hit me? Come on, hit me right here!"

She pointed aggressively at her slightly swollen stomach, her voice turning shrill. "I'm pregnant with my second kid, go ahead and hit me! You touch me, and I'll call the cops and have you locked up for years! Three meals a day and a free bed—perfect for a little tramp like you!"

Piper's hand froze mid-air.

She was shaking with fury, her face flushed crimson, tears of humiliation already brimming in her eyes. Growing up, when had anyone ever dared speak to her like this?

"You... you..." Piper pointed a trembling finger at Jocelyn, her lips quivering as she struggled to form a coherent sentence.

Christian stepped forward, pulling Piper behind him. His face had completely darkened, his gaze as cold as ice.

"Ms. Vance," he said, his voice low but carrying an unmistakable warning. "Watch your tone."

"My tone?" Jocelyn sneered. "Christian Lancaster, you're out here holding onto another woman, eating her ice cream, and you're telling me to watch my tone? Lyra is at home, pregnant and suffocating by herself! How many days have you actually spent with her? And now, you have the nerve to flaunt another woman right in front of her face, and you want to lecture me about my tone?"

Standing off to the side, Lyra gently tugged on Jocelyn’s sleeve, whispering, "Jocelyn, please, stop..."

But her voice was so soft it seemed entirely designed to go unheard.

Jocelyn shook off her hand, fully energized now. "Don't try to stop me, Lyra! I am getting answers for you today!"

Listening to the harsh whispers, the tears finally spilled from Piper's eyes. She bit her lip, trembling uncontrollably. She wanted to explain, but the words were completely stuck in her throat.

Christian's expression turned murderous.

He shot a look at his assistant, Miles, who had just stepped up.

Miles immediately understood, pulled out his phone, and began making calls.

Christian turned back around. His gaze swept over the gossiping crowd, and his voice came out like a glacial wind.

"Back off."

Two words, spoken softly, but carrying a terrifying, absolute authority.

The crowd instantly went dead silent.

Someone muttered under their breath, "Who does he think he is, acting so tough..."

Another person quickly whispered back, "I know him. That's the CEO of Lancaster Group, Christian Lancaster. He's on the financial news all the time."