The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 382

Miles backed out of Room 1707 and quietly pulled the door shut. He stood in the hallway for two full seconds, listening intently. Once he was sure there was no commotion inside, he turned and headed for the elevators.

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Pulling it out, he read the incoming message from his investigative team:

[We found something. The woman with Lydia Langford is Victoria Sutton. She's thirty-four, settled in France ten years ago, and operates as an art dealer on paper, but her real background is completely scrubbed. She's highly likely the one who bailed Lydia out. The Langford family seems entirely unaware; records show her parents haven't contacted Lydia in months. They've essentially written her off.]

Miles furrowed his brows.

He kept scrolling.

[Victoria Sutton's primary backing comes from the Astor family. We've confirmed she works closely with a core member of the Astor inner circle, though we are still pinning down the exact identity. Lydia is currently living on an Astor property, complete with a private chauffeur and luxury accommodations.]

Miles's thumb hovered over the screen.

The Astor Family.

Them again.

His mind flashed to the man he had investigated just days prior—Leon Astor, the illegitimate son of the Duke. The files showed Leon and Lyra Langford shared a deeply complicated history. During her early days in France, Leon had been her primary benefactor. Rumors had swirled about a clandestine four-year affair, though neither had ever confirmed or denied it.

And now, Lydia was wrapped up in the Astor web too.

Both Langford sisters were entangled with this massive European dynasty.

This was absolutely no coincidence.

A cold shiver crawled up Miles's spine.

He looked back down the hall toward the heavy door of Room 1707.

Lyra was still in there.

Did she know what her sister was doing?

Did she really cut ties with Leon Astor?

Could this toxic web drag the Lancaster Group down with it?

A dozen worst-case scenarios exploded in his mind.

He wanted to march back to that room, knock on the door, and lay everything out for Christian immediately.

He raised his hand, then slowly lowered it.

Lyra was still inside.

He couldn't interrupt them now.

Taking a deep breath, Miles shoved the phone back into his pocket.

He had to wait.

He would tell him as soon as she left.

He turned and stepped into the elevator.

—

Meanwhile, on the bustling streets of the city, a sleek black sedan cruised smoothly toward the hospital.

Valerie Vance sat in the backseat, watching the city skyline blur past the tinted windows. Her phone suddenly vibrated. Glancing down, she saw her daughter Piper's name flashing on the screen.

"Piper?"

"Mom!" Piper's voice exploded through the speaker, vibrating with sheer, unadulterated excitement. "Did you hear?! Evelyn Sullivan is Charles de Rothschild's granddaughter! The Charles! Top three on the Forbes list!"