The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 299

"Maddy," Evelyn cut her off gently.

Maddy shut her mouth immediately.

Evelyn walked over to the window, staring out at the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower. Her voice was quiet.

"I don't have the mental energy for any of that right now."

Maddy froze.

Staring at Evelyn's back, she suddenly realized how reckless her words had been.

How long had it really been since the divorce? How recent was the trauma? How could Evelyn possibly be ready to jump into a new relationship?

She slid off the bed, walked over, and gently linked her arm through Evelyn's.

"I'm sorry, Evie. My mouth moves faster than my brain. Please don't be mad."

Evelyn shook her head and offered her a reassuring smile. "It's fine."

She paused, a trace of deep exhaustion seeping into her voice. "I'm just tired. I want to sleep."

Maddy saw the dark circles under Evelyn's eyes and felt an immediate pang of guilt.

"Then go sleep!" she ordered, practically shoving Evelyn toward the bathroom. "Take a hot shower and get some rest. You're a guest presenter tomorrow! You need your beauty sleep!"

Evelyn let herself be pushed into the bathroom, smiling helplessly.

"What about you?" she asked.

"Me?" Maddy pointed at herself. "I'm going to post on social media! It's my first time in Paris! I have to brag about this!"

Evelyn shook her head fondly and closed the bathroom door.

—

Maddy threw herself back onto the sofa and grabbed her phone.

She snapped a few aesthetic shots of the Eiffel Tower outside the window, took some photos of the luxurious suite, and finished with a heavily filtered selfie.

Caption: [Paris, I've arrived! Traveling with the boss lady hits different—straight to the Shangri-La! 😎✨]

Within minutes of posting, the likes and comments started rolling in.

She was busy replying to them when a text popped up on her screen.

It was Julian St. Claire.

[I heard you aren't at the firm?]

Maddy gasped.

She quickly typed back: [Julian! How did you know?]

Julian replied instantly: [I happened to walk past your law firm and wanted to drop in to say hi. The receptionist told me you took time off and went traveling.]

Maddy stared at the screen, her heart skipping a beat.

He specifically came to see her?

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her trembling hands, and replied: [Yeah! I flew to France with my best friend for a jewelry design competition!]

Julian: [France? That's quite the trip.]

Maddy: [I know! She was invited to be a guest presenter, so I tagged along to see the sights. 🙈]

Julian: [Your friend must be incredible. Industry events like that are entirely closed off unless you're a major investor or top-tier talent.]

Maddy: [It might be because of her 'Dr. Rose' title? I'm not really sure, honestly. I'm just here for the ride!]

There was a few seconds of silence from Julian.

Then, he replied: [Have a great time. Mingle with the right people. Tell me all about it when you get back.]

Maddy's face flushed bright red.

She quickly typed: [Will do, Julian! 💖]

Send.

She clutched her phone to her chest and literally rolled across the sofa in excitement.

—

Meanwhile, in a luxury high-rise apartment in New York.

Julian St. Claire put his phone down, the warm smile fading entirely from his face.

He picked up a secondary phone and dialed a number.

It rang twice before connecting.

"Mr. St. Claire," a female voice answered in fluent French.

There was an unread notification on the screen.

It was from Sebastian: [The restaurant brought up some food. I left it outside your door. You barely ate on the flight—have some soup before you sleep.]

Evelyn stared at the message, momentarily stunned.

She walked over and opened the heavy suite door.

Sitting on a small room-service cart was an elegant thermal container, radiating warmth.

She picked it up and glanced down the hallway.

It was completely empty.

But the door right next to hers remained tightly shut.

Evelyn looked at the door, the faintest hint of a smile touching her lips.

She carried the container back inside and set it on the coffee table.

"Wow!" Maddy practically teleported over. "That is way too sweet! Let me guess... Sebastian?"

Evelyn nodded.

Maddy popped the lid off. Inside were exquisite pastries and two bowls of hot soup and fresh bread.

"This is amazing!" Maddy grabbed a spoon. "Evie, seriously, you really aren't going to consider him?"

Evelyn didn't answer.

She picked up a bowl of soup and slowly began to eat.

Outside the window, the Eiffel Tower continued to sparkle against the night sky.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

A new text message.

[There's a good show at The Bourbon Opera House tomorrow night. Coming? You broke my heart coming to France without telling me.]

Evelyn stared at the text, an expression of sheer exasperation crossing her face.

She set her bowl down and quickly typed a reply:

[I'm in. Come pick me up!]