The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 397

Leon took a long drag, completely ignoring her.

Lyra's voice pitched higher. "I'm pregnant, didn't you know that?"

Leon turned his head to look at her.

His striking blue eyes were completely devoid of any human emotion.

He took another deep drag from the cigarette, then slowly exhaled.

He blew the thick cloud of smoke directly into Lyra's face.

Lyra instantly broke into a violent coughing fit, tears springing to her eyes as she choked on the fumes.

"You—!"

Leon laughed.

It was a cold, utterly mocking sound.

"I brought you here," he began, his tone lazy and drawling, "because I need you to run an errand."

It took Lyra a full minute to stop coughing. When she finally looked up, her eyes were bloodshot.

"What errand?"

Leon tapped his ash onto the floor.

"That Evelyn Sullivan," he said smoothly. "I want you to figure out a way to ask her out."

Lyra stared at him in stunned silence.

Then, she burst into a harsh, bitter laugh.

It was a laugh dripping with pure ridicule.

"Leon, are you out of your mind?"

Leon just looked at her, his expression unreadable.

Lyra's smile turned razor-sharp. "Do you have any idea what she's worth now? She's Charles's granddaughter. She's a multi-billion dollar heiress. What exactly do you bring to the table?"

Leon's eyes darkened dangerously.

"What makes you think I want to pursue her?" Leon scoffed.

Lyra pushed forward, emboldened by her own spite. "I know exactly who you are. You'd do absolutely anything to secure your spot as the head of the Astor family. Let's not forget you already have a fiancée. A woman like her, looking twice at trash like you? You can't even hold a candle to Sebastian Thorne, and you think you have a shot with Evelyn Sullivan?"

Leon's brow twitched.

Lyra was on a roll now, oblivious to the warning signs. "Besides, aren't you terrified of Charles? If he catches wind that you're plotting against his granddaughter, how many days do you think you have left to live?"

Leon's face hardened into a mask of pure, lethal fury.

His hand shot out like a striking snake, his fingers locking mercilessly around Lyra's throat.

Lyra's taunts were instantly severed.

That hand tightened like a steel vise.

Lyra's eyes bulged in absolute terror. Her hands flew up, clawing frantically at his wrist, her perfectly manicured nails digging deep into his flesh. But he didn't even flinch.

Breathing became impossible.

She opened her mouth, desperately trying to suck in air, but her windpipe was completely crushed.

A sickening, gurgling sound scraped up her throat.

Her vision began to fracture.

The dim light of the room faded into a dark, watery haze.

She felt the crushing sensation of her own body sinking into an endless abyss.

A deafening roar filled her ears, and Leon's voice echoed through the void, distant and terrifyingly calm:

"So this is how little you think of me. Listen carefully. You will do exactly as I say... As for the rest... it is none of your damn business."

Lyra nodded frantically, thrashing against the sheets.