The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 283

What was she doing here?

Christian's brow furrowed tightly.

The receptionist immediately jumped to her feet. "Mr. Lancaster, Ms. Langford is here to see you..."

Christian glared at her. "Why wasn't I notified?"

The receptionist cast an uncomfortable glance at Lyra. "Ms. Langford said... there was no need to disturb you. She said she was happy to wait."

Christian's gaze shifted to Lyra.

Lyra had already stood up, wearing a soft, adoring smile. She was dressed in a pale pink maternity dress, her hair cascading loosely over her shoulders. She looked the picture of gentle elegance.

"Christian," she said softly. "We were just in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd bring Leo up to see you. The receptionist mentioned you were in a meeting, so I told her not to bother you. We were just about to head out."

Her tone was so sickeningly sweet and accommodating that no one could possibly find fault with it.

Christian just stood there, staring at her.

His mind immediately flashed to yesterday's scene at the mall—Jocelyn Vance screaming "little bitch" at Piper, while Lyra stood quietly in the background, not uttering a single word to stop it.

He knew she was the one who had unleashed Jocelyn.

She hadn't admitted it, but he knew.

She thought he was oblivious.

But he saw right through it all.

"Daddy!"

A bright, cheerful voice snapped him out of his dark thoughts.

Leo scrambled up from the carpet and came running toward Christian, his little legs moving as fast as they could, his face glowing with pure joy.

"Pick me up, Daddy!"

He threw his arms up, tilting his head back to look at Christian with wide, sparkling eyes.

Christian leaned down and scooped the boy into his arms.

The toddler instantly wrapped his arms tightly around Christian's neck, burying his face in his shoulder. "I missed you, Daddy," he mumbled in his tiny voice. "Mommy said you were busy working and we couldn't bother you. But I missed you so much."

Holding the child, Christian stood rigidly in the hallway, a mess of complicated emotions churning in his chest.

Watching them, a subtle, victorious smirk played on Lyra's lips.

She walked over, placing a hand gently on Christian's arm. "Leo, come down now. Daddy just got back, he must be exhausted."

"No!" Leo clung even tighter. "I want Daddy to hold me!"

Lyra gave Christian a helpless, slightly coquettish look.

Christian remained silent.

He carried Leo past her and walked straight into his private office.

Lyra trailed right behind him, her steps light and confident.

Out at the reception desk, the secretary stared at the closed door and let out a massive sigh of relief.

Miles gave the secretary a brief look before returning silently to his desk.

***

Inside the office, Christian set Leo down on the leather couch.

The boy refused to let go, tugging at his hand. "Play with me, Daddy!"

Christian glanced down at him, then shifted his gaze to Lyra.

Lyra stood nearby, that picture-perfect smile still glued to her face. She rested a hand delicately on her stomach. "Christian, he just missed you so much. I couldn't say no, so I brought him. You're not mad, are you?"

Christian stared at her.

She walked over and gently took Leo's hand. "Leo, it's time to go home."

Leo looked up at Christian, clearly heartbroken to leave. "Daddy, when are you going to come visit me?"

Christian looked at the boy and paused for a brief second.

"Soon," he replied.

Leo nodded like a good boy, letting Lyra lead him toward the exit.

Right at the door, Lyra stopped and threw one last look over her shoulder.

"Christian," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "No matter what you think of me, I genuinely just want to be with you. We're going to be a family soon."

With that, she opened the door and walked out.

The heavy oak door clicked shut behind her.

The office plunged back into a deafening silence.

Christian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring blankly at the gray concrete jungle, remaining perfectly still for a very long time.

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

It was an anonymous text message.

[Evelyn Sullivan has returned to New York. Sebastian Thorne just donated tens of millions of dollars in equipment to her hospital.]

Christian stared at those words, his eyes turning murderous.

Tens of millions.

Sebastian Thorne.

His grip tightened so violently that the expensive phone case let out a faint cracking sound.

Outside, the sky began to bleed into the dark, stormy colors of dusk.