The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 556

Evelyn made her way back from the corridor to the main hall, where Sebastian was still waiting in the corner lounge area. Seeing her approach, he stood up and closed the distance between them.

"Everything alright?"

Evelyn shook her head slightly. "I'm fine. He approached me intentionally, asked what I was doing here."

Sebastian's brow furrowed. "What exactly did he say?"

"He said he knew who I was. Charles's granddaughter, Dr. Rose—he said everyone knows me." Evelyn's voice was eerily calm. "It sounded like polite small talk, but I could tell there was an underlying meaning."

Sebastian stayed silent for a moment. "What else did he say?"

"He asked if I was lost." Evelyn met Sebastian's eyes. "It felt like he was testing me."

Sebastian reached out, resting a protective hand on the small of her back. "Don't wander off alone again. Stick with me for the rest of the night."

Evelyn nodded. They returned to the sofa. Evelyn held her juice, Sebastian his champagne, but neither took a sip. Their eyes scanned the room, hunting for that charcoal-gray suit.

"There he is," Sebastian murmured.

Evelyn followed his gaze. Logan Astor stood in the center of the hall, conversing with a group of elderly, silver-haired gentlemen. Holding a glass of red wine, he wore a refined, cultured smile. The men around him were laughing; the atmosphere looked entirely genial. Evelyn stared at him for a long time.

"Do you think he knows we're investigating him?" she asked.

Sebastian considered it. "Probably not. But a man like him stays on high alert around anyone who gets too close."

Evelyn said nothing. She watched Logan shake hands with the men and turn to walk in another direction. Just as she was about to look away, Logan suddenly stopped, glanced over his shoulder, and looked straight at her. Across the crowded room, through the brilliant lighting, their eyes locked. It only lasted a second. Then, he smiled, offered a faint nod, and walked away.

Evelyn's breath hitched.

"He saw you," Sebastian noted.

"Yeah." Evelyn set her glass down. "That was on purpose."

Sebastian didn't say a word, but his hand tightened into a fist resting on his knee.

The banquet officially commenced. The host took the stage, delivering speeches alternating between French and English. Evelyn listened absentmindedly, her eyes still working the crowd. Logan Astor was seated in the front row next to a silver-haired woman, likely his wife. He occasionally leaned over to whisper to her or applauded politely. Everything appeared completely normal.