The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 37

Inside the CEO's office at the Lancaster Group.

Christian had just hung up the intercom when the office door was gently pushed open.

Lyra walked in, her steps light and bouncy. She wore a chic, knee-length beige business suit, her hair styled neatly at the nape of her neck. Her makeup was flawless but understated, and she clutched a cream-colored folder in her hands.

It was a stark contrast to her usual fragile, delicate aesthetic, making her look far more professional and sharp.

"Christian," she stopped in front of his desk, her voice soft.

Christian glanced up, his eyes lingering on her for a moment. "Sit."

Lyra took a seat on the guest sofa, placing the folder on her lap and folding her hands in a picture of perfect composure.

"What brings you to the office today?" Christian asked, his tone level. He had fully retreated behind his usual icy facade, though a faint, lingering gloom still shadowed his eyes.

Lyra bit her lip, speaking timidly. "Christian, I want... to find a job."

Christian raised an eyebrow. "A job?"

"Yes." Lyra nodded, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her folder. "Penelope is looking after Leo now, so I have nothing to do sitting at home all day. Plus... my father hasn't been well lately. The doctor says he needs absolute bed rest, which means the family company will fall to me sooner or later."

She paused, gazing up at him pleadingly. "But I studied ballet abroad; I don't know the first thing about corporate management. If I just waltz into my father's company, the senior executives will eat me alive. So I was thinking... could I maybe train here at the Lancaster Group for a little while?"

Silence hung in the office for a few seconds.

Christian studied her, a probing weight in his stare.

"You want to work here?" he asked.

"Just to learn," Lyra hurriedly clarified. "Give me six months. Once I understand how corporate operations work, I'll go back to my family's company. At least then I won't be flying completely blind."

She spoke with desperate sincerity, her eyes clear and her demeanor painfully humble.

Christian leaned back in his chair, his gaze locked on her face.

He had known this face for over a decade.

Back in college, Lyra had gone to the same university. She was a ballet major in the arts program; he was in the business school. They were two people from entirely different worlds, thrown together during a campus festival.

She had been the most radiant star on stage, yet she never carried an ounce of a spoiled heiress's arrogance. He still remembered finding her asleep in a dark corner backstage after a grueling late-night rehearsal, her ballet slippers still clutched in her hands.

Loved her work ethic, loved her resilience, loved those eyes that seemed to constantly sparkle with life.

Until...

Christian pulled himself out of his memories, refocusing on the Lyra sitting before him.

Time had left its mark on her, but her eyes seemed just as pure as they had been all those years ago.

"Christian?" Lyra murmured.

Christian snapped back to reality. He stayed quiet for a moment before asking, "Which department do you want?"

Lyra's eyes lit up, though she quickly reined it in. "I don't know anything, so any department is fine. As long as I can learn..."

"Then you'll join the executive suite," Christian said. "You'll be exposed to every facet of the company's operations. It's the best place to learn."

"The executive suite?" Lyra looked shocked, quickly waving her hands in protest. "No, no, I can't. That's the department right outside your door, it wouldn't be appropriate. Plus, I don't know how to do anything; I'll just get in the way. Just put me somewhere entry-level..."

"An entry-level department would be a waste of your time," Christian interrupted, his tone even. "The executive suite is demanding, and you'll be working late, but you'll learn the most. Didn't you say you wanted to get up to speed as fast as possible?"