The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 319

"Then... take care of yourself."

Christian grunted in agreement and turned toward the exit.

Miles followed close behind as they pushed through the crowd and out the heavy doors.

The hushed whispers followed them the whole way out.

"Wasn't that the CEO of Lancaster Group?"

"Lancaster? The massive conglomerate?"

"Yeah, I swear I've seen his face before."

"He's stunning. I wonder what the hell happened to his hand."

"Who knows? Maybe he just had a breakdown."

Piper stood completely still, watching Christian's back disappear through the exit, her eyes welling with tears.

Margaret walked over and gently patted her shoulder.

"Don't fret," she murmured. "He's a grown man. He knows how to take a hit."

Piper nodded, but the tears spilled down her cheeks anyway.

She suddenly remembered everything she had screamed at him earlier—

"Why the hell did you dump her for Lyra?!"

Had she gone too far?

---

Meanwhile, up on the second floor in the VIP lounge.

Sebastian had finally extricated himself from the endlessly rambling Pierre Lindt, his polite facade cracking at the edges. His eyes kept darting back to the exit, which had been empty for far too long.

Lance shoved his way back through the crowd, completely out of breath.

"Boss!" he panted, keeping his voice low. "I found her. Evelyn left the venue and got into a silver sports car. Louis de Bourbon-Montpensier picked her up personally."

Sebastian's scowl deepened instantly.

Louis de Bourbon-Montpensier.

That gay designer?

"And then what?" he demanded.

"And then..." Lance hesitated. "The car headed straight for The Bourbon Opera House. The Astor Family and The House of Bourbon-Montpensier are hosting an ultra-private gala there tonight, featuring a ballet performance. They must have invited Evelyn."

Sebastian fell dead silent.

He remembered the words she had spoken on stage. "Dedicated to someone very special."

Was that someone him?

"Boss?" Lance watched him nervously. "What do we do now..."

"We're going to the opera house," Sebastian snapped.

Lance blinked. "But it's an invite-only gala. We don't have access—"

Sebastian shot him a lethal glare.

The look explicitly screamed: Do you really think a VIP list can stop me?

Lance slammed his mouth shut and spun around. "Getting the car right now!"

---

Downstairs, outside the venue.

Miles glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

He had worked for Christian for years, and he had never, ever seen him like this.

The ruthless tycoon who shredded rivals in the boardroom and refused to bow to anyone, was now curled up in the dark, bleeding out like a slaughtered animal.

A wave of deep, sickening pity washed over Miles.

"Boss," he said softly. "I'm taking you to the ER right now."

Christian gave no response.

The car kept cruising down the boulevard.

Suddenly, a phone buzzed violently.

Christian looked down at his lap. A text had just flashed onto his screen.

His brow slammed down in a vicious scowl.

Seeing his violent shift in expression in the mirror, Miles tensed.

"Boss? What's wrong?"

Christian stared unblinkingly at the screen, his bloody hand slowly clenching back into a fist.

It was a photo.

Lyra was sitting in the back of a car, right next to the profile of a man. The man had striking blue eyes and was turned to look at her, a deeply sinister smile playing on his lips.

Below the photo was a single line of text:

[Your fiancée's past is a lot more exciting than you think. Want to know more?]

Christian stared at the message, sitting in total, terrifying silence.