The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 505

Evelyn leaned against the window, her gaze completely calm. "You know more than what was in there."

Lyra's expression shifted. "What do you mean?"

"The files you gave me were detailed. But you know more than that." Evelyn's tone was light. "You held things back."

Lyra's fingers slowly curled inward. "Don't push your luck. Handing over what I did was already a gamble with my life."

"Is it?" Evelyn held her gaze. "Don't worry, I won't force you."

Lyra was momentarily stunned.

Evelyn turned to look out the window. In the parking lot, Sebastian's car remained exactly where he had parked it. She watched for a few seconds before turning back to Lyra. "Some things, when hidden for too long, will eventually scurry out to feed like rats. When that happens, it's the perfect time to set a trap."

Lyra's face paled a fraction. "Who do you think you are? So what if you're Charles's granddaughter? Those people—"

"You don't need to worry about those people," Evelyn cut her off, her voice as conversational as if she were discussing the weather. "You should be worrying about yourself. If you go back to the States, will Christian let you off the hook? Here in France, will Leon let you go? What about the child you're carrying? Are you going to raise it on your own? Or better yet... will Christian's mother ever accept you?"

All the color drained from Lyra's face. She opened her mouth to speak, but swallowed the words. Her hands were trembling, but she forced herself to stand tall, her chin tilted slightly upward, her red lips pressed into a thin line.

"Mind your own business, Evelyn. Just make sure you don't get bitten by the rats you're trying to catch."

Evelyn looked at her. "That's my problem."

They stared each other down for a few agonizing seconds. An invisible tension stretched between them, like two taut bowstrings, neither willing to snap first.

Dr. Adler pushed the door open. "Ms. Langford, we're ready for the amniocentesis."

Lyra broke eye contact and followed the doctor out. After a few steps, she paused without turning back. "Believe it or not, Evelyn, I don't want you to die. Not because you're helping me, but because..." She hesitated. "If you die, there's no one left in this world who can take those people down."

She walked away. Evelyn stood there, staring at the closed door, and remained silent for a long time.

The procedure was over. Lyra walked out of the operating room looking pale; her red lipstick was intact, but her lips were trembling slightly. Leaning heavily against the wall, she slowly made her way back to the ultrasound room. Evelyn was still there, sitting in the chair by the window, looking at something on her phone.

Lyra sat down next to her, leaned her head against the backrest, and closed her eyes. "When will the results be ready?"

"Three days." Evelyn lowered her phone. "I'll email them to you."

Lyra gave a faint nod, offering nothing more. The room fell into a quiet lull.

Evelyn stood up and grabbed her bag. "I'm leaving."

"Evelyn," Lyra called out.