The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 343

***

A short distance away, Lyra listened to the exchange. 'Pale' no longer accurately described her face.

It was gray.

The color of absolute defeat.

The heirs of the Montebello Dynasty, hers for the taking?

If one wasn't enough, she could take several?

She remembered how she had been internally mocking Evelyn just minutes ago, eagerly waiting for her to be violently thrown out.

Now, the very woman she had looked down on was being coddled by two of the most powerful men in Europe.

And Lyra herself was standing in the corner, looking like a total clown.

A suffocating wave of despair washed over her, rendering her completely numb to the world as her hands clenched into fists.

***

Christian stood beside her, utterly silent.

He just stared at Evelyn.

He watched her stand between the two legendary patriarchs, effortlessly poised and radiating absolute brilliance.

He suddenly remembered the days when she used to plant roses in the Lancaster family garden.

How could he have ever thought she was just a boring, ordinary woman?

He slowly clenched his right hand, a dull throb radiating from the wound beneath his glove.

***

The whispers started up again, but the tone had shifted entirely.

"Dr. Rose? As in the legend of the medical world?"

"The very one from that global live broadcast! In Africa, they call her an 'Angel.' I heard she's saved several heads of state; her security clearance is through the roof."

"I can't believe she's also Iris..."

"Mr. Charles's granddaughter? No wonder she's so incredible."

"Both identities are top-tier. Someone like that only comes around once in a century, right?"

"And Mr. Montebello basically offered up all his grandsons for her to choose from..."

"Assuming she'd even want them."

"Look at her. Does she look like a woman desperate for a man?"

***

Sebastian stood perfectly still, listening to the chatter, a complex storm of emotions surging within him.

It wasn't jealousy. It wasn't resentment.

It was... a profound sense of inadequacy.

He remembered Alain's words: 'If one isn't enough, take a few.'

He suddenly felt incredibly, overwhelmingly small.

Then, he moved.

He took a step forward.

Henry blinked in shock. "Sebastian? What are you doing?"

Sebastian didn't answer.

He simply kept walking, step by step, cutting straight through the crowd toward them.

The surrounding guests watched the young man in bewilderment, wondering what he thought he was doing.

He stopped right in front of Evelyn.

Charles and Alain stared at him, their gazes heavy with scrutiny.

Evelyn looked at him too, a question in her eyes.

Sebastian took a deep breath and spoke.

"Evelyn."

His voice was a little rushed, slightly trembling, but perfectly clear.

"Evelyn."