The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 372

Six in the morning, on the outskirts of Paris.

The grand clock of the Astor Family estate had just struck the hour when Leon's phone buzzed on the nightstand.

He blinked his eyes open, glancing at the caller ID. It was the estate's mainline.

His chest tightened.

He answered, managing to keep his voice steady. "Yes?"

"Master Leon," the butler's voice came through, hushed and urgent. "The Duke requires your immediate presence at the estate."

Leon's brows pulled together.

"What's happened?"

The butler hesitated for a second, his voice dropping even lower.

"Word of last night reached His Grace. Lady Elara returned in a terrible mood. The Duke knows everything."

Leon's fingers slowly tightened around the phone.

He remembered the humiliating scene in the banquet hall last night—Lady Elara barking at him to get out, and Louis's mocking smirk.

Of course it had made its way to his father's ears.

"Understood," he said rigidly. "I'm on my way."

He was about to hang up when the butler spoke again.

"Sir..."

Leon froze.

The butler's tone carried a heavy, ominous weight.

"His Grace requested that you head straight to The Vault. He is waiting for you there."

The Vault.

The words felt like a bucket of ice water poured directly over his head.

All the color drained from Leon's face.

"Understood," he managed to choke out, ending the call.

—

Forty minutes later.

A sleek black sedan rolled through the towering iron gates of the Astor family estate.

The sprawling compound was even more magnificent than Lady Elara's chateau, but far more oppressive. The ancient architecture cast long, suffocating shadows in the morning light, looming like a silent beast.

When Leon stepped out of the car, the butler was already waiting at the entrance.