The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 440

A villa on the outskirts of Paris.

The car pulled through the gates, and Sebastian Thorne stepped out. The sunlight hit him, but the wounds on his back still throbbed with a dull ache. He stood at the entrance for a moment, making no move toward the main house, turning instead toward the training facility.

Lance, following close behind, realized where he was headed and panicked. "Boss, you're still going to train? The seven-day deadline is almost up, but you're still injured. You've been taking a beating for days, and yesterday there was a shootout. You need to rest for a couple of days. If your body breaks down, forget fighting Albert LeClerc—you won't even be able to stand."

Sebastian paused briefly but didn't look back. "Let's just take a look."

Inside the training room, Mark was organizing the equipment. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, and his brows pulled into a tight frown the moment he saw Sebastian.

"Mr. Thorne, you're here."

Sebastian shrugged off his jacket, revealing the shirt beneath. The bandages on his back were faintly visible through the fabric. The bruising on his shoulders had yet to fade, and fresh scrapes marred his arms. Mark's gaze swept over him, his frown deepening.

"Your injuries..." He stepped closer, his eyes zeroing in on a fresh wound just below Sebastian's shoulder. "Is that a bullet graze?"

Sebastian glanced down at the mark. The bullet had grazed him last night as it flew past his ear. He hadn't even noticed it. "Yes."

Mark stared at him, his expression hardening. "You were being hunted?"

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"

Mark pointed at the wound. "Anyone can tell that's from a bullet. Close-range trajectory burn. Whoever it was, they were aiming to kill." He paused, his voice turning grim. "And the gash on your back. That didn't happen during training. That's from an iron pipe, isn't it?"

Sebastian didn't deny it.

Mark stood in silence for a few seconds before tossing his training baton aside. "We're done for today. With your body in this state, training won't make you improve—it'll get you killed."

Sebastian just looked at him.

Mark's tone brokered no argument. "I'm a coach, not an executioner. If you want a death wish, look elsewhere."

Sebastian was quiet for a moment before giving a single nod. "Fine. I'll rest today."

Mark's expression finally softened slightly. He walked back to sorting his gear without looking up. "We'll see how you are tomorrow. If the wounds haven't improved, you keep resting."

Sebastian didn't reply. He turned and walked out of the training room.