The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 471

Evelyn remembered. That day at the mall, Lydia had stood right in front of her, laughing with that shrill, piercing sound, saying, "Christian is out on a date with Lyra. Don't tell me you didn't know?" The surrounding shoppers had all turned to stare. She had completely ignored the girl, paid for her items, and walked away. Back then, she had simply thought Lydia was foolish and impulsively arrogant, wearing every nasty emotion on her sleeve. She hadn't been worth the breath it took to argue.

"But the person just now," Madeline's voice dropped to a troubled whisper. "She spoke so softly. Her smile was so gentle. She even said, 'How could I possibly know Ms. Charles?' The old Lydia couldn't even stomach calling you 'Ms.' If she wasn't outright insulting you, she was calling you by your first name with pure spite."

Evelyn looked at her. "And your point is?"

"My point is, it feels completely fake," Madeline frowned deeply. "But it definitely is her. Faces don't lie. How did she turn into this?"

Evelyn didn't answer. She turned and began walking toward the elevators. Madeline hurried after her, her mind still flashing back to the image of Lydia standing behind Mr. Taylor, offering that demure bow and whispering, "How could I possibly know Ms. Charles?" That tone, that demeanor, that flawless sense of boundaries—it looked exactly like someone who had spent a very long time practicing in the dark.

The elevator doors pinged open. Evelyn stepped inside, and Madeline followed. As the doors slid shut, the digital numbers began to descend.

"Why did you stop me back there?" Madeline demanded.

Evelyn watched her own reflection in the polished steel doors. "It was unnecessary."

"What do you mean, unnecessary?"

"It was unnecessary to let her know we recognized her."

"Sure, or maybe she just doesn't care."

Madeline paused, confused. "Why not?"

Evelyn stayed silent for a few seconds. "Whatever she's doing has nothing to do with us. There's no reason to give it our attention."

Madeline stared at her, a knot of frustration tightening in her chest. "You're just too forgiving. Did you forget she orchestrated that drugging incident against you?"

Evelyn remained silent. The elevator hit the ground floor, the doors sliding open to let the bright sunlight flood in. She stepped out into the lobby, Madeline trailing relentlessly behind her.