The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 546

London, the suburbs. A gray apartment building stood with peeling paint and faded curtains hanging in the windows. A black sedan was parked below. Julian St. Claire sat in the backseat, looking out the window. He was dressed in a dark gray overcoat, holding a manila envelope. His assistant sat in the passenger seat, scrolling through his phone.

"Mr. St. Claire, this is the building. Third floor, second door on the right."

Julian nodded. "Wait in the car."

He pushed the door open and stepped out. A chilly night breeze swept past. Adjusting his collar, he walked into the stairwell. It was dim; half the lightbulbs were burnt out, and the walls were covered in spray paint. He climbed the creaky stairs to the third floor. The second door on the right was painted a dark green, the paint flaking off in chunks. He raised his hand and knocked. Three times, neither too light nor too heavy.

No answer. He knocked three more times.

"Who is it?" a woman's voice called out from inside. It was raspy and laced with suspicion.

"A friend," Julian replied calmly. "I want to talk."

The door opened a crack, and a single, bloodshot eye peered out at him. She stared at Julian for several seconds.

"I don't know you. Get lost."

She tried to shut the door, but Julian wedged his hand against the frame.

"You've been followed recently, haven't you?"

The eye blinked. The door didn't close, nor did it open wider. After a few seconds of heavy silence, she pulled the door open. Alissa Valois stood in the doorway, wearing a wrinkled t-shirt, her hair a tangled mess, and her face bare of makeup. She had lost a lot of weight; her cheekbones jutted out, and her eyes were sunken. Yet, those amber eyes still held their captivating allure. Leaning against the doorframe and crossing her arms, she looked Julian up and down.

"Who are you?"

"Julian St. Claire. I'm a lawyer."

Alissa let out a dry scoff. "A lawyer? What crime did I commit that requires a visit from you?"

Julian didn't answer. He simply watched her.