The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 298

Shangri-La Paris, 18th floor.

The elevator doors parted, and the group stepped out. The hallway was lined with thick, luxurious carpets, and impressionist paintings hung under warm, ambient lighting.

Evelyn rolled her suitcase forward, with Sebastian walking calmly beside her. Maddy and Lance trailed slightly behind, whispering to each other.

Stopping in front of Suite 1806, Evelyn pulled out her keycard.

She tapped the reader, and the lock clicked open with a soft beep.

Turning around, she realized Sebastian was still standing next to her, showing no signs of leaving.

"Which room are you in?" she asked.

Sebastian pointed to the door right next to hers. "Suite 1808."

Evelyn glanced at the door, then back at him.

Right next door.

What a coincidence.

Sebastian met her gaze, his expression entirely unreadable. "It was the only room left in the hotel. I had no idea it would be right next to yours."

Standing a few steps back, Lance quietly hung his head.

His boss was getting dangerously good at lying through his teeth. Sebastian had booked these rooms a week ago, explicitly demanding the suite right next to Evelyn's.

Evelyn stared at him for two seconds, saying nothing.

Then she gave a slight nod. "Get some rest."

She pushed her door open, ready to step inside.

"Evelyn," Sebastian called out suddenly.

She looked back.

He stood in the hallway, the warm lighting casting a soft halo around his silhouette. His eyes were locked on her, serious and intensely focused.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" he asked.

Evelyn thought for a moment. "The organizers are sending a car for me. Tomorrow will be rehearsals and a few media events, and then the awards ceremony in the evening."

Sebastian nodded. "Then tomorrow night..."

"You don't need to worry about me," Evelyn gently interrupted, her tone soft but firm. "The organizers have it covered. You should focus on your own work."

Sebastian was quiet for a moment.

Then he nodded. "Alright. Get some sleep."

Evelyn looked at him, the faintest trace of a smile touching her lips.

"Thank you for today," she said. "For picking us up."

Sebastian shook his head. "You don't need to thank me."

They held each other's gaze for a fleeting second.

Then, Evelyn stepped inside.

The heavy door clicked shut behind her.

Sebastian stood frozen in the hallway, staring at the closed door, completely still.

The corridor was dead quiet.

The only sound was the low hum of the air conditioning.

He stood there for a long time.

Then, he looked down at his right hand.

The exact hand she had held earlier.

Her hand was soft, warm, her fingers wrapping around his wrist as she pulled him forward.

It had only lasted a few seconds.

But he could still feel the phantom warmth of her touch.

A small smile crept onto Sebastian's face.

A smile he didn't even realize he was making.

—

Suite 1808.

Sebastian walked into his room and sat heavily on the sofa.

He didn't turn on the lights.

Sebastian replied: [Good.]

He put the phone down and cast a glance toward the shared wall.

It felt like, if he looked hard enough, he could see her through it.

—

Suite 1806.

The moment Evelyn unzipped her suitcase, Maddy launched herself onto the plush bed, sprawling out like a starfish.

"I'm exhausted!" she groaned loudly. "First time being on a plane that long. I swear my spine is broken!"

Evelyn laughed softly and continued unpacking.

Maddy rolled over, propping her head up to look at her.

"Evie," she started, her eyes practically sparkling. "Is Sebastian Thorne trying to pursue you?"

Evelyn paused mid-action.

She didn't answer.

Maddy sat up, completely invested in the gossip. "Think about it! He comes all the way to pick you up, brings flowers, arranges a luxury car, and coincidentally stays in the room right next to ours? If that's not pursuing you, I don't know what is!"

Evelyn hung a dress in the closet, her voice neutral. "And what if he is?"

"What do you mean, 'what if he is'?" Maddy practically shrieked. "Look at him! Is he handsome? Yes! Is he rich? Yes! Does he actually care about you? Yes! Guys like him are basically unicorns!"

She started counting on her fingers. "Plus, look at him. He's way better looking than Christian. His aura is ten times better. He's grounded. And most importantly, I've literally never heard a single scandal about him. He's an endangered species!"

Evelyn turned around to look at her.

"Did you run a background check on him?"

"No!" Maddy waved her hands frantically. "But I have eyes! Did you see the way he looked at you? So focused. So intense. Has Christian ever looked at you like that?"

Evelyn was quiet for a second.

How did Christian look at her?

She realized she couldn't even remember.

Maddy kept going. "And Thorne Enterprises is just as powerful as the Lancasters! They're absolute royalty in San Francisco. If you actually dated him, then..."