The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 292

Lyra stood frozen, watching Evelyn and Maddy disappear into the crowd. Maddy's final, cheerful "See you in Paris!" felt like a needle driving straight into her heart.

Her fingers slowly curled into fists.

Every word Maddy had said was a calculated strike—the warnings about flying while pregnant, the sarcastic praise for Jocelyn's temper, the jab at Christian's "time management."

Who did she think she was?

A nobody lawyer, talking to her like that?

But what bothered Lyra even more was Evelyn's attitude.

From start to finish, Evelyn hadn't even looked at her properly. No anger, no jealousy, no bitterness—nothing. It was as if Lyra were just an insignificant speck of dust, not even worth a passing glance.

Evelyn must have told Maddy to say those things.

She had to have.

Lyra bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. She turned to Christian, her voice trembling with manufactured hurt.

"Christian, does Dr. Sullivan... hate me?"

Christian frowned.

Before he could answer, Piper beat him to it.

"Isn't it obvious?" Piper scoffed, her tone dripping with impatience. "I had to stand there and be embarrassed because of you. That woman was incredibly rude, and you just stood there like an idiot without saying a word."

She turned to Christian, tugging his sleeve. "Christian, why did you have to bring her? Are you here for her or for me?"

Lyra's expression soured.

She glared at Piper, a surge of fury rising in her chest.

How dare this little brat speak to her like that?

But she couldn't snap back.

She had to keep her head down, biting her lip, playing the perfectly victimized fiancée.

Caught between them, Christian felt a dull throb in his temples.

One was playing the martyr, the other throwing a tantrum. Two women, one more exhausting than the other.

He took a deep breath and stepped away from them.

"Miles," he barked, his voice icy.

Miles stepped up immediately. "Yes, Mr. Lancaster?"

"I'm dead!" she groaned, rubbing her ankles. "First time standing in heels this long, my feet are going to fall off!"

Evelyn sat across from her, poured her a glass of water, and smiled. "Who told you to wear heels? It's not a fashion show."

"I had to look the part so I wouldn't embarrass you!" Maddy took the glass and downed half of it. "What if I made you look bad?"

Evelyn shook her head, staying silent.

Maddy set the glass down, her eyes sparkling as she leaned forward. "Evie, how did I do back there? Did I embarrass you?"

Evelyn looked at Maddy's eager expression, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Of course not."

"Really?" Maddy sat up straight. "Was I ruthless enough? Did I shut them down?"

Evelyn paused for a moment before replying calmly, "Honestly, it wasn't necessary."

Maddy blinked. "Why? After everything they did to you, aren't you angry?"

"Angry?" Evelyn picked up her teacup and took a slow sip. "To me, they're just strangers now."

She set the cup down, looking out the window at the planes on the tarmac, her voice soft. "Christian is my ex-husband. The day we signed the divorce papers, his life stopped being my business. As for Lyra and whatever she's trying to prove, what does it have to do with me? And that girl..."

She paused, the corners of her mouth curving into a faint, indifferent smile. "I don't even know her name."