The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 525

He turned and walked away. The massive entourage followed him in a bustling wave toward a private dining room. The cameramen kept rolling, the reporter with the microphone kept firing off questions, and the aides kept taking notes. It was a massive spectacle, clearly far more than just a casual lunch.

Louis leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I heard Mayor Dupont is spearheading some massive audit project, looking into the city's financial records over the past few years. It's causing quite a stir. The national government even sent investigators down."

Evelyn watched the group disappear into the back. "That explains the press."

Sebastian handed her the menu. "Let's just eat. We can worry about everything else later."

Evelyn took the menu, flipped through a couple of pages, and set it back down. Her eyes lingered in the direction the Mayor had gone. He was already inside the private room, the heavy doors firmly shut behind him, while a few reporters loitered outside, smoking and chatting.

Across town, Madeline Thorne was wandering through Galeries Lafayette on her own. Weighed down by several shopping bags, she finally gave in to exhaustion and claimed a table at a nearby cafe. She ordered a cappuccino, pulled out her phone, and tapped open a text thread with Evelyn.

[Where are you?]

Madeline typed back: [Galeries Lafayette. Bought way too much stuff.]

The reply came a second later: [Coming back for dinner tonight?]

Madeline considered it for a moment: [Yeah. Is Sebastian cooking?]

Evelyn sent back a single word: [Yes.]

Madeline smiled and typed: [Then I'll definitely be there.]