The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 36

Evelyn's flippant words, "Do whatever you want," echoed relentlessly in his mind.

So chillingly calm, so utterly apathetic.

As if... she genuinely didn't care about a single thing anymore.

Not the title of Mrs. Lancaster, not the survival of Sullivan Holdings, not... him.

His phone buzzed on the desk.

He turned and walked over. It was a new text from Evelyn:

"Tomorrow at 9 AM. The County Courthouse. Don't be late."

Just a few words.

Clean, sharp, completely void of any lingering affection.

Christian stared at the text and suddenly laughed.

The laughter tore from the back of his throat—low, bitter, and drenched in self-mockery.

He laughed until the sound abruptly died in his chest.

He locked the screen, tossed the phone into a drawer, straightened his tie, and took a deep breath before heading for the door.

His expression had smoothed back into its usual frigid stoicism, though a lingering darkness still swirled deep in his eyes.

---

Back at the hospital's temporary office.

The door opened, and Sebastian Thorne walked in.

The moment he saw Evelyn, his steps faltered slightly.

The woman before him wore a simple cream knit sweater and light slacks, her long hair pinned loosely at the back of her head as she stood by the desk packing her briefcase. The sunset spilled through the window, bathing her in a soft, golden halo.

"Dr. Sullivan?" Sebastian called out.

Evelyn looked up, a flash of surprise in her eyes before settling back into a calm neutrality. "Mr. Thorne?"

"I'm here to say thank you." Sebastian stepped into the office, his gaze sweeping subtly across the sparse room—one desk, one chair, one file rack. It was too barren to be a real doctor's office; it looked more like a temporary pit stop.

His assistant stepped up from behind him and placed an exquisite gift box on the desk.

"My grandfather was transferred out of the ICU today," Sebastian said, his eyes locking onto Evelyn's face. "The doctors say he's recovering exceptionally well. Thank you, Dr. Sullivan."

Evelyn glanced at the gift box and shook her head. "There's no need for that. I'm a doctor; it was just my job."

"I'm not just being polite." Sebastian looked at her earnestly. "You saved my grandfather's life. The Thorne family owes you a great debt."

Evelyn didn't press the issue. She simply zipped her briefcase and set it aside. "I've already handed over the follow-up rehabilitation plan to his primary physician. As long as he sticks to his checkups and takes his medication on time, there shouldn't be any major issues."

She spoke with total indifference, sounding as if she were rattling off the most mundane of daily tasks.

Sebastian watched her, his attention suddenly snagging on an open medical journal on her desk. It was turned to an article on post-operative cardiac bypass rehabilitation. The author's name was printed clearly at the top: Evelyn Sullivan.

His eyes lingered on her name for a moment before snapping back to Evelyn. "I read this paper of yours. It's incredibly insightful."

Evelyn followed his gaze, pausing slightly before offering a modest smile. "It was just something I threw together. Nothing worth mentioning."

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