The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 340

"I came to see you."

Charles de Rothschild's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly across the entire hall.

In that instant, time seemed to stand still.

Someone dropped their champagne flute, the glass shattering against the floor with a sharp crack. Amber liquid splattered everywhere as the broken shards caught the light. The man didn't even try to clean it up; he just stood there, jaw slack, staring in their direction.

The people nearby weren't doing much better. A silver-haired dowager covered her mouth, letting out a muffled gasp. Several young elites exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions looking as though they had just seen a ghost.

"What... what did he say?"

"He came to see her? To see that woman?"

"Mr. Charles... voluntarily coming to see a woman?"

"Am I hearing things?"

Whispers spread like a tidal wave, but this time, there was no gloating. It was pure, unadulterated shock and disbelief.

***

Lyra Langford stood completely frozen.

Her hand was still curled in the exact position it had been when linking arms with Christian Lancaster, but all the strength had left it, leaving it hanging limply at her side.

Her face was drained of all color.

No, it was worse than that.

It was a sickly, ashen hue.

She watched Evelyn Sullivan holding Charles's hand. She watched Charles give her that warm, affectionate smile. The legendary patriarch who famously never allowed women near him was now looking at her exactly like a doting grandfather looking at his favorite granddaughter.

Her mind went completely blank.

Only one thought echoed relentlessly in her head—

Why?

Why her?

Why did she get everything?

She opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out. Her throat felt tight, impossibly dry, and painfully rough.

She remembered the smug thoughts she had entertained just moments ago. She had been eagerly waiting for security to drag Evelyn away, visualizing the humiliating scene over and over in her mind.

Now, those very images felt like brutal slaps across her face, striking her again and again.

Her fingers trembled.

Her entire body shook.

That fear had been far worse than any corporate warfare he had ever endured.

More terrifying than losing a multi-billion-dollar contract.

More terrifying than the prospect of bankruptcy.

It was a shuddering panic that came from the very depths of his soul.

Now, that fear hadn't entirely dissipated, but a new emotion was rapidly taking its place.

Relief.

And pride.

The woman he loved truly was in a league of her own.

He stared at Evelyn's back, a slow smile curving his lips.

Henry stood beside him, his jaw practically on the floor.

"Sebastian..." his voice wavered. "Who on earth... is this woman you're in love with?"

Sebastian didn't answer.

He simply kept looking in her direction, his eyes shining with adoration.