The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 308

Shangri-La Paris, first-floor restaurant.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

Morning light spilled across the Seine outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, tourist boats gliding lazily across the water, leaving gentle ripples in their wake. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and buttery croissants filled the air. Impeccably dressed guests murmured in low voices, the soft clinking of silverware echoing pleasantly.

At a window-side table for four, Christian Lancaster sat at the head, a cup of black coffee resting before him. He wore a dark charcoal dress shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, his face shadowed with the exhaustion of a sleepless night.

Lyra Langford sat beside him, dressed in a pale lavender maternity dress, her makeup flawless, her movements the picture of elegance. She took tiny, delicate bites of her fruit plate, occasionally stealing affectionate glances at Christian, her eyes swimming with emotion.

Piper Brooks sat across from them, staring at her phone, the croissant on her plate completely untouched.

The atmosphere at the table was tense and delicate.

Suddenly, a phone vibrated.

Lyra checked the caller ID, immediately plastering on a professional smile before answering, "Director Vane?"

Director Julian Vane's excited voice blared from the other end. "Lyra! The car is outside the hotel. Come down as soon as you're done eating. We need to rehearse early today; the Duchess of Bourbon is sending someone to watch, so you have to be perfectly prepared!"

Lyra's smile widened. "Of course, Director. I'll be right down."

Hanging up the phone, she turned to Christian, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Christian, the Director sent a car for me. I need to head to the theater for rehearsal now."

Christian nodded. "I'll walk you down."

"Oh, no, you don't have to." Lyra waved her hand dismissively. "Stay here and keep Piper company. Weren't you supposed to take her to the designer convention later?"

As she spoke, her gaze drifted to Piper across the table, her smile remaining perfectly sweet and entirely fake.

Piper looked up, shot her a glance, said absolutely nothing, and went back to scrolling on her phone.

Christian remained silent for a second before nodding. "Alright. Be careful out there."

Lyra stood up, smoothing down the fabric of her dress. She looked at Christian, a hint of expectation swimming in her eyes. "Christian, will you... come see my rehearsal later?"

Before Christian could even open his mouth, Piper's head snapped up.

Her high heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, fading into the distance.

—

At the entrance of the restaurant, Lyra's figure vanished around the corner.

Piper dropped her gaze and rolled her eyes.

It was a massive, entirely unapologetic eye roll.

Christian saw it.

"Piper," he warned, his voice low and heavy.

Piper turned to him, her expression the picture of innocence. "What is it, Christian?"

Christian stared at her, silence stretching between them for a second.