The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 404

On the outskirts of Paris, at Sebastian's villa.

In the training room, the sounds of fists and feet colliding echoed through the cavernous space.

Sebastian stood bare-chested in the center of the mat, sweat streaming down his back and glistening under the lights. His body was a tapestry of fresh bruises layered over old scars, looking like a brutal painting. But his eyes were brighter than they had been two days ago, and his movements were sharper.

Mark stood across from him, equally drenched in sweat, but with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Not bad," he said. "You lasted fifteen minutes today."

Sebastian was panting heavily, bent over with his hands resting on his knees. Sweat dripped onto the floor with a soft patter.

Mark walked over and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Rest up. We'll pick this up tomorrow."

Sebastian nodded and walked over to the bench on the sidelines to sit down.

Lance ran over with a towel and a bottle of water.

"Mr. Thorne, you're amazing! You've improved again today!"

Sebastian took the towel and wiped the sweat from his face. He took a swig of water, leaned back against the wall, and closed his eyes to rest.

The wounds on his body ached fiercely, but he didn't care.

What he cared about was something else entirely.

He pulled out his phone and checked it.

No new messages.

Not a single one.

He had sent breakfast yesterday, and the butler said she ate it all. He sent lunch today, and they said she finished that too.

But she hadn't sent him a single word.

A sour feeling twisted in Sebastian's chest.

He put his phone away, leaned his head back against the wall, and stared out the window.

The sunlight was bright.

She was probably busy.

Lance sat down next to him, pulled out his tablet, and began his daily briefing.

"Mr. Thorne, there are a few matters back home that need your decision."

Sebastian kept his eyes closed.

"Speak."

Lance scrolled through the screen, speaking rapidly.

"First, regarding the acquisition of that renewable energy project in San Francisco. The other party has raised their asking price again, fifteen percent higher than our valuation. The investment department suggests dropping it, but the strategy department believes this project is crucial to our industrial layout for the next five years and suggests we keep negotiating."

Sebastian opened his eyes and looked at him.

"Why did they raise the price?"

"Word is another European company is eyeing it, so they're trying to drive up the bidding," Lance said.

Sebastian was silent for a second.

"Tell the investment department to lay out our bottom line to them. If they want to deal, we deal; if not, drop it. Find out the background of that European company. If they're just jacking up the price on purpose, make sure they regret it."

Lance nodded, typing furiously.

"Second, there's a problem with the financial audit at the New York branch. One of the executives is suspected of embezzling funds. The local legal team advises calling the police, but the guy has been with the company for over a decade and has some clout."

Sebastian's brow furrowed slightly.

"How much was embezzled?"

"Preliminary estimates say over three million dollars."

"Call the cops," Sebastian said without a hint of hesitation. "Do everything by the book. Clout doesn't pay the bills."

Lance nodded. "Understood."

"Third, our return on investment in Southeast Asia has dropped. Several projects are operating at a loss. The regional director suggests cutting two and focusing our resources on the remaining three."

Sebastian thought it over.