The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 412

Sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the third-floor corridor, blanketing the floor in a warm, golden hue. The impressionist paintings on the walls looked exceptionally soft in the shifting light, making the entire space as quiet as a gallery.

But that tranquility was violently torn apart by an invisible tension.

Christian stood at the far end of the hall, his face pale as paper. The knuckles of the hand he used to brace himself against the wall were white, his body trembling slightly, and the metallic taste in his mouth grew stronger.

He stared fixedly at Evelyn, his lips parting to force out a hoarse rasp:

"You're... pregnant? Whose is it..."

The moment the words left his mouth—

Ding—

The chime of the elevator opening shattered the dead silence.

Sebastian Thorne strode rapidly out of the elevator, Lance Sterling following close behind.

Sebastian wore a hastily thrown-on navy blue dress shirt. The hem was slightly wrinkled, and his hair was still damp, making it obvious he had rushed over. His sharp gaze instantly swept the corridor, taking in the entire scene in a fraction of a second—

Evelyn stood there in a beige maxi dress, as quiet as a painting.

Charles stood beside her, his expression thunderous.

Dr. Reed stood frozen in awkward panic, his eyes darting between them as a fine layer of sweat broke out on his forehead.

And opposite them, Christian was leaning against the wall, looking so pale he seemed ready to collapse.

Sebastian's brow furrowed sharply.

Without a second of hesitation, he closed the distance with long strides and positioned himself directly in front of Evelyn, shielding her behind his broad frame.

"Are you alright?" His voice was low, laced with undeniable concern.

Evelyn looked at his broad back blocking her from view and paused.

This man still smelled faintly of sweat from his combat training, his shirt was buttoned wrong, and his hair was a mess—he had clearly sprinted the whole way here.

But standing there, he was like an immovable wall.

A very faint, subtle curve touched the corners of her lips.

"I'm fine," she said softly.

—

The sight of this hit Christian like a blade to the chest.

He watched Sebastian instinctively shield her. He saw the faint smile on Evelyn's lips, and the natural, effortless intimacy radiating between them.

A suffocating wave of anger rushed to his head.

His face flushed dark red, then immediately drained of all color, leaving him ghastly pale. The veins at his temples throbbed, and the ringing in his ears sounded like a swarm of furious hornets.

He couldn't ignore the metallic tang of his bitten lip any longer.

His mouth tasted entirely of blood.

It tasted bitter, metallic, and carried the weight of his endless rage and resentment.

He swayed slightly, almost stumbling.

But he kept his eyes locked on Evelyn, staring at her stomach, then at the man standing protectively in front of her.

Then, he raised a trembling hand and pointed at her.

"It's his?" His voice was as rough as sandpaper against stone. "You cheated on me?"

In that voice, there was anger, resentment, and a strange, inexplicable... sense of betrayal.

Evelyn frowned slightly.

Dr. Reed stood to the side, his expression a masterpiece of panic. He looked at Christian, then at Evelyn, and then at the stranger blocking her, his mind in total chaos. He had been a doctor for decades and had witnessed countless high-society family dramas, but today's standoff still made his palms sweat.

He took a quiet step back and whispered to the nurse behind him, "Go get two security guards. Have them wait by the stairwell."