The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 345

Before Evelyn could say another word, Charles spoke up.

"Little Treasure," he called her by her affectionate nickname, amusement lacing his tone. "You certainly don't lack money. His little bit of money is nothing compared to what you'll inherit from me."

Sebastian went pale.

His 'little bit of money'?

Billions of dollars in assets, and in her grandfather's eyes, it was just a 'little bit of money'?

He thought about how earnestly he had just listed his corporate revenue, net profits, and real estate, and suddenly felt like an absolute idiot.

Charles watched his reaction, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

Evelyn turned to Charles, catching that theatrical, entertained gleam in his eye. Wanting to cut him off before he said something even more outrageous, she spoke with a hint of exasperation:

"Grandfather, alright, that's enough."

Charles raised an eyebrow, his gaze darting between her and Sebastian.

"What's this?" he teased, feigning a hint of jealousy. "Are you defending him already?"

Evelyn blinked.

Defending?

She wasn't defending him!

She just thought it was a bit mean for her grandfather to crush the man's pride like that...

But Charles had already turned his attention back to Sebastian.

Sebastian was still reeling from the financial reality check, standing there looking somewhat shell-shocked.

Charles stared at him and suddenly commanded:

"You. Come with me."

Sebastian looked up, staring at him in bewilderment.

Charles continued, "Let me evaluate you. We'll see if you can pass my test first."

Evelyn opened her mouth, trying to explain that she and Sebastian weren't even in that kind of relationship—

"That's enough, Little Treasure," Charles interrupted. "I'm going to run my checks first."

With that, he leaned on his cane and began a slow, deliberate walk toward the exit.

After two steps, he paused and glanced back at Sebastian.

"What are you waiting for? Keep up."

Sebastian finally snapped back to reality.

He was just about to follow when a hand clapped him hard on the shoulder from behind.

"Sebastian! Hurry! Charles told you to follow him!"

It was Henry.

Sebastian nodded frantically and hurried after the older man.

***

Evelyn stood there, watching the older man and the younger man walk away, shaking her head in fond exasperation.

She turned around, scanning the crowd until her eyes landed on the corner.

Madeline was sitting on a sofa, with Louis standing right beside her.

Evelyn waved at her.

Madeline immediately jumped up and sprinted over.

"Evelyn!" She threw her arms around her in a tight hug. "You scared me half to death! When those guards showed their guns, my legs literally gave out!"

Evelyn patted her back, smiling softly.

"It's fine now."

Madeline pulled back, glancing nervously in the direction Charles had gone. "That Charles guy... he's your grandfather?"

"Adopted," Evelyn clarified. "I saved his life once, and he's treated me like his own granddaughter ever since."

Madeline sucked in a breath.

"Just... how many insanely powerful people do you know?"

Evelyn just smiled, offering no answer.

He was racking his brain trying to figure out what Charles was going to 'evaluate'.

Was he testing his qualifications to marry Evelyn?

Did his speech out there earn him points, or completely ruin his chances?

His stomach was tied in knots, completely unsure of where he stood.

Suddenly, Charles stopped.

Sebastian stopped immediately.

Charles turned around and studied him.

Those ancient, perceptive eyes swept over him with sharp scrutiny, though there was a faint glint of approval buried within them.

"Everything you said back there," he began. "Did you mean it?"

Sebastian nodded firmly. "Every word."

"Give up all your assets?"

"All of them."

"Any children take her last name?"

"Her last name."

"Walk away with nothing if you cheat?"

"Absolutely nothing."

Charles stared at him, letting the silence stretch for several long seconds.

Then, he smiled.

It was a smile of satisfaction.

"Interesting. But it's still not enough. Because for Little Treasure, everything you just offered holds absolutely no weight."

He turned around and resumed walking.

Sebastian stood frozen for a second, processing the words, before hurriedly catching up to him.