The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 320

The black Bentley slowly pulled away from the Grand Palais Museum, blending into the flow of Paris traffic.

Christian leaned back against the leather seat and closed his eyes. The handkerchief wrapped around his right hand was already soaked with blood, but he remained completely still, ignoring the pain.

After a few seconds of silence, he handed his phone to Miles.

"Find out who this man is," his voice was hoarse. "And figure out his relationship with Lyra. The number is untraceable—find a way to crack the source."

Miles took the phone and glanced down at the screen.

The image instantly seared into his retinas—

A man with a blurred face was gripping Lyra's chin. The sheer force of his grip pulled her skin taut, draining it of color. Lyra's eyes were wide with pure terror, looking exactly like prey caught by the throat by a wild beast.

The timestamp on the photo read this morning.

This morning?

Miles frowned.

Wasn't Lyra rehearsing at the theater this morning? How could she have been with this man...

He didn't dare follow that line of thought.

But once the idea took root, he couldn't shake it.

Cuckolded.

The word flashed wildly in his mind.

He sneaked a glance at Christian in the rearview mirror, a wave of indescribable pity washing over him.

His boss really had the worst luck, didn't he?

His ex-wife was a hidden powerhouse. After the divorce, she had dropped one jaw-dropping revelation after another—a medical genius, a master designer—any single one of those titles was enough to command global attention. Yet back then, he had treated her like thin air and practically kicked her out of the house.

And now his current fiancée, carrying his child, was out getting photographed with another man gripping her chin...

Miles let out a heavy sigh in his head.

What kind of fate was this?

He had thrown away a diamond, only to pick up a worthless piece of glass.

And he had been forced to pick it up, at that.

Keeping his eyes on the road, he tapped his Bluetooth earpiece and made a few quick calls, setting the investigation into motion.

Silence fell over the car once more.

Outside, the Paris city lights sparkled brilliantly, the Eiffel Tower glowing with a soft, distant warmth.

But the atmosphere inside the Bentley was far colder than the night air.

——

Meanwhile, on another street in Paris.

A limited-edition silver sports car glided smoothly down the road, its sleek curves catching the understated, luxurious glow of the streetlamps.

Louis sat in the driver's seat, one hand resting on the steering wheel while the other tapped to the rhythm of the opera blasting through the speakers. He was dressed in a dark green velvet suit, sporting an exaggerated butterfly bowtie. His golden hair shimmered under the ambient interior lights.

In the backseat, Evelyn leaned against the window, watching the city blur past. She had traded her ethereal gown for a simple, elegant beige trench coat. With her hair falling loosely over her shoulders, she looked effortlessly radiant and relaxed.

Beside her, Madeline's eyes were practically bulging out of her head.

Suddenly remembering something, she leaned in close to Evelyn and whispered, "Evie, is he gay?"

Evelyn glanced at her and nodded with a smile.

Madeline let out a soft "Oh," her expression completely unfazed.

She had grown up in the diverse neighborhoods of New York, mingling with all walks of life. She had seen it all. Who he liked was none of her business, as long as he was a good person.

Catching her casual acceptance in the mirror, a flicker of genuine appreciation crossed Louis's eyes.

"Madeline," he said, "you are a fascinating woman."

Madeline blinked. "Thanks?"

Louis smiled and continued, "I'm taking you ladies somewhere fabulous tonight. My grandmother wants to see Evelyn, so she's hosting a private family dinner. And tonight's performance is being hosted by my grandmother's sister—The Duchess of Bourbon."

Madeline's eyes widened all over again.

The House of Bourbon-Montpensier?

The oldest and most prestigious aristocratic dynasty in France?

"Your grandmother's sister?" she asked blankly. "Then your grandmother is..."

Louis flashed a brilliant smile. "My grandmother was born a Bourbon-Montpensier before she married into The Astor Family. So, even though she's an Astor, she still holds immense power within the Bourbon dynasty."

Madeline clutched her chest, feeling like she had already exceeded her daily quota for sheer shock.

Evelyn chimed in softly, "Louis's grandmother is the Duchess of Bourbon's biological sister. Tonight's performance is technically hosted by the Duchess, but Lady Elara set the whole thing up just to see me."

Louis nodded proudly. "Grandmother was absolutely thrilled when she heard you were in Paris. She insisted on throwing this dinner and gathering the whole family just to show you how well she's doing now."