The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 416

The car drove out of the chaotic district, and the scenery outside the windows gradually returned to normal. The streets grew cleaner, the streetlights brighter, and the air finally lost its stench of decay.

Christian sat in the backseat with Piper leaning against him. The girl slept peacefully in his arms, her breathing steady. Despite the lingering pallor of fear on her face, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if lost in a dream.

"Drive faster," Christian ordered, his voice raw.

Miles pushed the accelerator, and the car sped toward the hotel.

—

Shangri-La Paris, Room 1707.

Christian laid Piper on the bed and pulled the covers over her. She shifted, mumbling something incoherent before settling back into a deep sleep.

The doorbell rang.

Miles opened the door to reveal a middle-aged man in a white coat carrying a medical bag.

"Mr. Lancaster, I am the hotel physician."

Christian nodded and stepped aside.

The doctor approached the bed, gently peeling back Piper's eyelids to check her pupils, then checked her pulse and blood pressure. His movements were delicate, but Piper still furrowed her brow and turned her head away.

"There's nothing seriously wrong," the doctor said, packing away his stethoscope. "She was given a sedative, but the dosage was mild. She just needs to sleep it off. Have her drink plenty of water when she wakes up tomorrow to flush it out of her system. If you want to be completely certain, you can take her to the hospital for blood work once she's conscious."

Christian was silent for a moment.

"When will she wake up?"

The doctor checked his watch. "The effects will last another eight to nine hours. By tomorrow morning at the latest."

Christian nodded.

The doctor finished packing his bag, left a few boxes of medication on the nightstand, and saw himself out.

The room fell silent.

Christian stood by the bed, staring at Piper's pale face. He remained quiet for a long time.

"Miles."

"Yes, sir."

"You stay here and keep an eye on her. Call me the second anything changes."

Miles blinked in surprise.

"Mr. Lancaster, where are you going?"

Christian didn't answer. He turned and walked out of the room, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

Miles stood frozen, staring at the closed door as a terrible sense of foreboding washed over him.

—

The night had grown deep.

The car once again entered the lawless slums.

This time, there was no Miles—just Christian alone.

He parked the car outside the rundown motel and stepped out. The moon was entirely obscured by heavy clouds, leaving the surroundings pitch black. Only the dim, yellow bulb above the motel entrance swayed in the wind, buzzing with the crackle of faulty wiring.

The man in the black leather jacket stepped out from the shadows.