The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 28

"Understood."

Sebastian threw one last glance at the glowing office window before turning on his heel and striding away.

At that moment, he had absolutely no idea that the brilliant "Dr. Sullivan" who had just saved his grandfather's life was the exact same woman from Paris who had left such a searing impression on him—the very "Dr. Rose" he had been desperately hunting for.

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Back at the Lancaster Estate.

The Langfords had finally left. Penelope remained seated on the living room sofa, her expression still dangerously dark.

Christian walked through the front door, shrugging off his tailored coat and handing it to a waiting maid.

"Where exactly did you run off to?" Penelope demanded.

"I went to the hospital." Christian collapsed onto the opposite sofa and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I wanted to check on that friend Evelyn mentioned."

"And? Did you see her?"

"No," Christian replied flatly. "The hospital staff confirmed they hadn't admitted any car accident victims named Madeline today."

Penelope let out a harsh, victorious scoff. "I told you she was just making excuses! Look at her, Christian! Look at the kind of woman you're constantly defending! She fabricated a dying friend just so she wouldn't have to face Lyra!"

Christian didn't say a word.

It was true that he hadn't found Madeline, but while he was there, the nurses had been gossiping about a massive emergency surgery that had required an outside specialist. As for who the specialist was, nobody seemed to know.

"Christian," Penelope said, her voice turning lethal. "What exactly is your plan here? Lyra came back, and she brought your child with her. You owe her a proper explanation. Leo is your son. You cannot let him grow up as an illegitimate bastard."

"I know that." Christian's voice was heavy with exhaustion. "Mom, just give me some time."

"How much more time do you need?" Penelope snapped, her patience completely evaporating. "It's been three years! You made Lyra wait for three years, and now she's finally back with your son. How much longer are you going to drag this out?"

Christian squeezed his eyes shut. "I will handle it."

"Handle it how?" she pushed relentlessly. "Divorce Evelyn and marry Lyra. It is literally that simple."

"Mom, a marriage isn't a game you can just toss aside."

"Then what was it to begin with?" Penelope shot to her feet. "You only married Evelyn because Arthur ordered you to! And now that the old man is too sick to micromanage your life, you suddenly have a mind of your own?"

Christian remained stubbornly silent.

Penelope stared at him, forcing her tone to soften. "Christian, I'm not trying to back you into a corner. But Lyra is truly pitiful. A young woman, all alone in a foreign country, giving birth to your child, raising him by herself... do you have any idea how much she's suffered these past three years? Now that she's finally home, are you really going to force her to keep waiting?"

"I won't make her wait," Christian finally said. "I'll make sure she and Leo are fully provided for."

"Provided for? Provided for how?" Penelope's anger flared right back up. "With money? A house? Christian, Lyra doesn't want your money! She wants you! She wants a real family!"

Christian didn't reply.

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