The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 479

The elevator chimed at the lobby, and the doors slid open. Christian stepped out with Miles trailing closely behind. The grand foyer was bustling with activity—bellhops pushing luggage carts, guests lounging on plush sofas and chatting. Christian cut straight through the crowd and stopped in front of Room 1705. He rapped his knuckles against the wood.

The door swung open to reveal Lyra, clad in light purple loungewear, her hair loose and her complexion noticeably pale. Seeing Christian, she paused. "You're leaving?"

"Yeah." Christian met her gaze. "Are you heading back?"

Lyra shook her head. "The ballet troupe still has some final arrangements. I'll fly back in a few days. You go on ahead."

Christian gave her a long, unreadable look but said nothing. He turned on his heel and strode toward the hotel's main entrance. Lyra stood in the doorway, watching his retreating back. He moved with swift, punishing strides, never once glancing back. Miles followed with the luggage, mirroring his boss's cold detachment.

Lyra lingered at the door, watching until they exited the hotel and slid into the waiting car, which quickly vanished into the Parisian traffic. She closed the door, leaning heavily against it, and squeezed her eyes shut. The suite was suffocatingly quiet, save for the shallow rhythm of her own breathing. After a long moment, she pushed off the wood, walked over to the bed, and sat down. Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Director Julian Vane, asking when she planned to return to New York. She ignored it, tossing the device onto the mattress before lying back and staring blankly at the ceiling.

The sedan sped toward the airport. Christian slumped against the leather seat, staring out the window. The shadows of passing plane trees flickered across the glass in a hypnotic rhythm. His mind was a chaotic loop of his time in France—the damning photographs, the DNA test results, Lyra's deceitful face, and Evelyn standing radiantly beside Charles. His fists clenched involuntarily in his lap.

"Mr. Lancaster," Miles spoke up from the front passenger seat, twisting around slightly. "Our operatives at the Charles estate reported that Sebastian had an audience with Charles today. They say he was severely beaten."

Christian kept his eyes glued to the passing scenery, offering no response.

"Furthermore," Miles continued cautiously, "Evelyn has been remaining inside the estate. Word is she's focusing on resting and recovering her health."

Christian's knuckles turned stark white. "Understood."

The car continued its route to the airport. Harsh sunlight pierced through the tinted windows, illuminating Christian's rigid jawline. He closed his eyes, but all he could see was Evelyn standing gracefully next to Charles. He remembered the venom in her words, the absolute indifference in her eyes. When she looked at him now, it was as if she were looking at a complete stranger. He snapped his eyes open, staring up at the painfully bright blue sky, refusing to look away.

At the Charles Estate, The Study.

Felton stood across the desk from Evelyn, a planner open in his hands. "Miss, next month is your birthday. How would you like to celebrate this year?"

Evelyn looked up from her documents. "My birthday? It's still early."

Felton offered a warm smile. "Your official documents say December, but your actual birth date is in October. The master explicitly instructed me before he left that we must host a proper celebration for you this year."

Evelyn blinked in surprise. Of course, she remembered her real birthday, but she hadn't celebrated it in so many years that the date had become an afterthought. October. Next month. She thought for a moment. "There's no need for anything extravagant. A quiet dinner with family will be more than enough."

Felton nodded, opening his mouth to reply, when Sebastian strolled into the study. The gauze on his face had been freshly changed; his left eye was still terribly swollen, but the swelling had receded slightly since the morning. He claimed the chair right beside Evelyn. "Whose birthday?"