The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 478

The Charles Estate, Training Grounds.

Sunlight streamed through the towering glass windows, casting long geometric shadows across the polished hardwood floor. Sebastian Thorne stood dead center in the arena, his bare torso glistening with a mixture of sweat and blood tracing the hard lines of his muscles. His face sported several fresh cuts; his left eye was swollen almost entirely shut, and a fresh split on his lip was still sluggishly leaking blood. The massive bruise wrapping around his ribs looked exponentially worse than it had days ago—a violent, spreading canvas of deep purple and black.

Standing opposite him, Albert LeClerc was breathing heavily, but otherwise looked practically pristine. He barely had a drop of sweat on him. He stared at Sebastian, a newfound glint of respect in his eyes. "Ten minutes are up." He lowered his fists. "You held your ground."

Sebastian bent double, bracing his hands against his knees as he dragged oxygen into his burning lungs. Drops of sweat plummeted to the floor, splattering into tiny dark pools. He lifted his head, using his one good eye to look at Albert. "Did I pass?"

Albert nodded. "You passed."

The corner of Sebastian's mouth twitched upward, tearing the cut on his lip further. He sucked in a sharp breath against the flare of pain, but the grin held. He looked like an absolute lunatic, but he was smiling.

Charles de Rothschild sat in an armchair by the edge of the mat, nursing a cup of tea with agonizing slowness. He had traveled all the way from the main house specifically to witness this trial. He took in the battered, broken mess that was Sebastian, the ghost of an approving smirk touching his lips. He said nothing. Standing directly behind him, Felton observed the scene with identical, quiet appreciation.

Evelyn Sullivan walked through the double doors, dressed in comfortable light gray loungewear, her hair falling naturally around her makeup-free face. She took a seat next to Charles, her eyes immediately finding Sebastian in the center of the ring. He looked significantly worse than she had anticipated. His eye was a swollen, purplish slit, blood was steadily dripping from his mouth, and that massive bruise across his ribs made her stomach twist. A tiny furrow formed between her brows, but she remained silent.

The moment Sebastian saw her walk in, he forced himself to stand up straight, desperately trying to minimize how wrecked he was. But the second his spine aligned, a blinding agony shot through his ribs, causing his entire frame to shudder. He nearly lost his footing, but he locked his jaw and forced himself to remain upright.

Seeing him torture himself just to look tough, Evelyn stood up and walked over. She stopped right in front of him, reaching out to gently press two fingers against the darkest edge of the bruised ribs. "Does it hurt?"

Sebastian ground his teeth together. "Not at all."

Evelyn applied a fraction more pressure. Sebastian's body went instantly rigid as a muffled groan escaped his throat. She pulled her hand back, fixing him with a deadpan stare. "You call that not hurting?"

Sebastian didn't answer. His mouth twitched in something caught between a charming smile and a wince of sheer agony. Evelyn sighed softly. She turned back toward the edge of the room. "Felton, call for the doctor."

Felton gave a crisp nod and promptly left to make the call.

Charles set his tea down and pushed himself up, leaning heavily on his cane. He approached Sebastian, giving him a slow, scrutinizing once-over. "You've got a tough hide, young man."

Sebastian met his gaze. "Thank you for the opportunity."

Charles scoffed lightly. "I didn't give you an opportunity. You earned it with your own blood." He paused. "Though, looking like that, how do you expect to be seen in public?"

Sebastian had no answer for that. Charles shook his head and turned to leave. After a few steps, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Have the kitchen prepare a hearty stew for him tomorrow. He needs to rebuild his strength."