The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 449

"What are you doing here?" Madeline's voice was still a bit shaky.

Louis pointed a thumb back toward the elevators. "Restroom break. Came down and saw you standing here spacing out." His gaze dropped to the envelope in her hand. "What's that?"

Madeline glanced down at it and quickly shoved it into her bag. "Nothing. Just ran into a total psycho."

Louis raised an eyebrow but didn't push it. "Are you all packed?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's go. I'm dropping you off at Château Rothschild."

The two walked out together. After a few steps, Madeline glanced back at the lobby one last time. The space by the pillar was entirely empty. She pulled her gaze away and followed Louis out the doors.

———

In the car, Louis drove while Madeline sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window. The Parisian streets blurred past, the sunlight filtering through the sycamore trees and dancing across her face in flashes of light and shadow. She clutched her purse strap tightly, Christian's parting words echoing on an endless loop in her mind.

*"If someone else can be the father to that child, then so can I."*

What child? Whose child? Was Evelyn pregnant? Was it Sebastian's? She thought back to how Evelyn had been acting lately—sleeping in, losing her appetite, getting exhausted easily. She hadn't connected the dots then, but now, it made total sense. She reached into her bag, fingers grazing the manila envelope, tempted to rip it open, but she pulled her hand back. Never mind. She would just ask Evelyn to her face when they met.

Louis glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Are you okay? You've been completely zoned out since we left the hotel."

Madeline shook her head. "I'm fine. Just a little tired."

Louis chuckled. "We probably partied a bit too hard the last few days. Surfing, clubbing, the parties... you had more energy than I did."

Madeline forced a smile. "That's entirely your fault for dragging me everywhere."

The car left the bustling city center, cruising toward the sprawling outskirts. The buildings thinned out, replaced by dense, towering trees. Sunlight broke through the canopy, casting dappled patterns over the windshield.

———

Château Rothschild.