The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 538

7:55 PM, Paris, Trocadéro Square.

The world's cameras were focused entirely on this location. Broadcasting vans from France Télévisions, BBC, CNN, and dozens of other global networks parked just outside the perimeter, a wall of camera lenses poised and ready. Reporters spoke in hushed, reverent tones, acting as if they were covering a historic global summit.

"We are live from Paris, right at the foot of The Eiffel Tower, where the proposal of the century is about to unfold," the French anchor reported, his voice trembling with excitement. "According to our sources, the groom-to-be is the CEO of the titan Thorne Enterprises, and the bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Charles de Rothschild, the legendary medical pioneer known as 'Dr. Rose.' The sheer scale of this event is completely unprecedented."

The BBC correspondent added, "The Eiffel Tower has extinguished its lights for tonight's ceremony—an exceptional honor authorized by the Mayor of Paris. The last time the monument went dark was in memory of tragedy; tonight, it is for love."

Another anchor stood right by the red carpet, struggling to contain her awe. "Viewers, I am currently at the scene! Behind me, you can see the sprawling red carpet, a literal sea of flowers, a grand stage, and The Eiffel Tower standing directly across. Insiders tell us the groom spent three months and over forty million dollars orchestrating this."

On social media, the global livestream viewership had crossed half a billion. The comment sections were refreshing thousands of times a second.

"Forty million dollars? Just for a proposal?"

"To them, forty million is like forty bucks to us."

"Is this how billionaires do romance?"

"It's not about the money, it's about the effort. If you had forty million, would you spend it on her?"

"Hell no, I don't even have forty bucks to my name."

"Shut up, look! The lights are going out!"

At exactly 8:00 PM, the lights went out. Not just in the square, but all across the city. The Eiffel Tower faded into darkness, the streetlamps along The Seine shut off, and the surrounding buildings dimmed their windows. The entire city plunged into darkness, leaving only the glittering canopy of stars above. The massive crowd fell dead silent, holding their breath.

A single spotlight snapped on, illuminating the start of the red carpet.

Evelyn stood there. She was dressed in a sweeping, light champagne gown, her hair elegantly pinned up to reveal the graceful curve of her neck. The Thorne Matriarch's Bangle rested on her wrist, glowing with a soft, timeless warmth under the beam of light. Her eyes grew slightly damp, but no tears fell. Looking at the majestic scene before her, a lump formed in her throat.

Madeline stood beside her, gently linking their arms.

"Let's go, Evelyn."