The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 284

New York, 6:30 PM.

The Savory Palette, a private dining room by the window on the second floor.

When Evelyn pushed open the door, Madeline was already there. She was holding her phone, obsessively snapping photos of the food on the table, muttering to herself, "This angle is perfect... just one more..."

"Are you done with the photoshoot?" Evelyn sat down across from her, an amused smile on her face. "Can we actually eat the food now?"

Madeline put her phone down and shot her a glare. "What do you know? It's about the aesthetic! It took me half a month to get a reservation here, I have to document it properly!"

Evelyn picked up her fork, spearing a piece of BBQ rib. It tasted incredible—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with a perfect balance of smoky and sweet.

Madeline grabbed her own fork, digging in. "So how did everything go in San Francisco? Is Isabella Thorne alright?"

"She's fine," Evelyn nodded. "Her recovery is going perfectly. She should be discharged in a few days."

"Thank God." Madeline breathed a sigh of relief, then looked back up. "What about Arthur? Did he get discharged?"

"Just finished the paperwork today," Evelyn laughed softly. "He was so desperate to get back to his fishing trips, he wouldn't stay an extra minute."

Madeline giggled. "He's so adorable."

The two friends chatted as they ate, the atmosphere light and comfortable.

Evelyn reached for a salad, her gaze accidentally drifting toward the glass. The private rooms here had a unique design—one wall was made entirely of floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a clear view of the main dining hall below.

She spotted a familiar figure.

Julian St. Claire.

He was walking through the front entrance, dressed in a sharp, dark gray suit. Trailing behind him were three or four people, men and women in sleek business attire, clutching leather portfolios. It was obvious they had just come straight from a high-stakes meeting.

He led the pack, his posture impeccable and his strides confident. Several diners in the main hall actually paused to stare at him, visibly struck by his striking appearance.

Sensing the attention, Julian glanced upward toward the second floor. Through the glass wall, his eyes locked straight onto Evelyn's.

He offered a slight, polite nod of acknowledgment.

Evelyn returned the gesture.

Madeline followed her line of sight, and her eyes practically turned into hearts.

"Julian!" she gasped, practically jumping out of her seat to wave frantically at the floor below.

"Maybe I'd what?" Evelyn cut in. "Be interested in him?"

Madeline just giggled nervously, avoiding the question.

Evelyn shook her head, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips. "Maddy, you're putting him on a pedestal. To you, he's your brilliant mentor, a campus legend, the golden boy. To me, he's just a lawyer. I've met far too many exceptional men in my life; it takes a lot more than a good resume to sweep me off my feet."

Madeline paused, then nodded in agreement. "Fair point. You've been surrounded by billionaires and literal geniuses your whole life. Julian probably barely registers on your radar."

They went back to eating.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at their door.

"Come in," Evelyn called out.

The door opened, and Julian stood in the threshold. He was holding a glass of water, that same practiced, polite smile plastered on his face.

"Sorry to intrude," he said smoothly. "I saw you two earlier and thought I'd come say hello."

Madeline shot up from her chair, grinning from ear to ear. "Julian! You're eating here too?"