The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 287

Penelope looked at Piper, her shrill tone softening slightly. "You always make excuses for him."

"Of course I do!" Piper rested her head affectionately on her aunt's shoulder. "He's my family! Plus, Christian is so incredible, it's totally normal for all those trashy women out there to be completely insane over him. Please don't be mad anymore, Aunt Penelope. It's not worth ruining your health over."

Penelope was visibly placated by the flattery, her stormy expression clearing.

She patted Piper's hand with a weary sigh. "At least someone in this family has sense."

She then leveled a stern look at Christian, her tone still laced with cold authority. "Fine. We will table this disaster for now. But there is one thing you are going to do to fix this."

Christian finally looked up. "What is it?"

"Piper is flying to Paris this Friday for that International Jewelry Design Competition," Penelope stated flatly. "You are going with her."

Christian's brow furrowed in immediate annoyance.

He remembered this. Piper had nagged him about taking her to Paris a few weeks ago.

But he had never actually agreed to it.

"Mom, I have an executive board meeting on Friday..."

"Cancel it," Penelope cut him off mercilessly. "What meeting is more important than your family?"

Piper piped up with a perfectly timed, delicate whisper, "Aunt Penelope, his work is important... I can just go by myself..."

"I am not letting you fly to Europe unchaperoned." Penelope patted her hand protectively before glaring at Christian. "Christian, you are escorting Piper. And while you're there, leverage your network. Introduce her to the heavyweights in the design industry. You know plenty of luxury brand CEOs over there—set up some meetings for her."

Christian stayed silent for a moment.

He really didn't want to go. He couldn't care less about jewelry design and loathed those pretentious fashion galas. Furthermore, his Friday meeting was crucial—it involved finalizing the budget for their biggest third-quarter acquisition.

But...

His phone vibrated against his thigh.

He pulled it out and glanced at the lock screen. A new text from Miles:

[Mr. Lancaster, intel just came in. Dr. Sullivan booked a flight to Paris for her friend Madeline. They are both attending the jewelry competition. It appears Dr. Sullivan might have been invited as a medical consultant?]

Christian stared at the text, his eyes darkening instantly.

Evelyn was going to Paris.

With Madeline.

The taunting words Sebastian had spat at him in the hospital lobby echoed loudly in his skull.

He tapped his thumb thoughtfully against the screen.

"Fine," he looked up, meeting his mother's expectant gaze. "I'll take Piper."

Back in the Bentley, Christian leaned against the headrest, his eyes squeezed shut.

Miles studied him through the rearview mirror, asking nervously, "Mr. Lancaster, are you really canceling Friday's board meeting? That acquisition is critical..."

"Cancel it." Christian didn't even open his eyes.

Miles hesitated for a split second. "Then... what time should I book the private jet for?"

"Book us on a commercial flight. The exact same one Evelyn is on," Christian commanded.

Miles was momentarily stunned before recovering swiftly. "Understood."

The luxury car melted into the darkness of the city.

Christian opened his eyes, watching the blurred streaks of streetlights flash past the tinted glass.

Evelyn.

Paris.

Sebastian.

A predatory, possessive glint flared in the depths of his gaze.