The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 300

Shangri-La Paris, Suite 1808.

Nine o'clock at night.

Sebastian Thorne sat on the sofa, a few room service trays spread out on the coffee table before him. He picked up his fork, took a bite of his steak, and chewed methodically.

Lance Sterling stood nearby, delivering his evening briefing.

"Mr. Thorne, there's a breakfast meeting with the jewelry design committee tomorrow at 9 AM, and you've been invited. At 3 PM, there's a private collection exhibition hosted by The House of Bourbon-Montpensier; the invitation has already been delivered." He paused. "The awards ceremony is at 7 PM."

Sebastian nodded, continuing his meal.

Lance watched him, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Mr. Thorne, about Dr. Sullivan's dinner... aren't you going to ask?"

Sebastian's fork paused in mid-air.

He looked up, locking eyes with his assistant.

"Speak."

Lance quickly elaborated. "When I went to the restaurant to fetch the food earlier, I asked the server who brought Dr. Sullivan her meal. She said... most of the food on her trays was left untouched."

Sebastian's brow furrowed.

"Left untouched?"

"Yes," Lance nodded. "The server said the pastries were barely picked at, and she only had a few spoonfuls of the soup. It's probably just the long flight ruining her appetite."

Sebastian fell silent for a second.

She really hadn't eaten much on the plane, either.

He remembered asking her at the airport if she was hungry, and she had just said she was fine.

She was just being polite.

"Understood," he said. "Have them prepare something light for her tomorrow morning."

Lance nodded. "Right away, Mr. Thorne. I'll go make the arrangements."

He turned to leave but stopped after a single step, suddenly remembering something. He pivoted back.

"Boss," he said, scratching his head. "There's something... I just remembered."

Sebastian looked up at him. "What is it?"

Lance's expression turned slightly complicated. "Well, back at The Bayview Retreat, remember when Dr. Sullivan had a meal with your mother? That day, she barely touched any of the other dishes either, except for a plate of tangy lemon and chili pasta. She devoured it."

Sebastian nodded. "Why didn't you tell me this before? And what about it?"

Lance continued, "Your mother tried a bite of it and it was so sour she had to down a whole glass of water. And then she made an offhand comment..."

He paused, seemingly trying to recall the exact words. "She said, 'How can Evelyn eat something so sour with such a good appetite? It's just like when I was pregnant with Sebastian. I craved sour things all the time, too.'"

The fork in Sebastian's hand went entirely still.

He looked up, his gaze locking onto Lance.

That look sent a cold shiver straight down Lance's spine.

With that, he yanked the door open and bolted.

The door clicked shut behind him.

The suite fell dead silent.

Sebastian sat on the sofa, staring at the takeout containers in front of him without moving a muscle.

Tangy lemon and chili pasta.

When his mother was pregnant with him, she craved sour food, too.

Evelyn—

A memory suddenly flashed through his mind.

That chaotic, accidental night two months ago. Done under the guise of saving a life!

Sebastian's fingers slowly curled into tight fists.

He stood up and walked over to the window.

Outside, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were sparkling, dazzling against the night sky.

But his mind was a storm of absolute chaos.

He grabbed his phone, scrolled to the very bottom of his contacts, and tapped the number saved as 'Alistair Bennett.'