The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 557

"Investigating what?"

"That group," Logan Astor said, his tone deadpan. "The Sea of Stars. You, Sebastian Thorne, Julian St. Claire... you're all looking into it."

Evelyn's fingers tightened. "How do you know that?"

Logan smiled. "I always find out what I want to know."

Evelyn held his gaze for a long moment. "What is your point?"

Setting his wine glass on a nearby console table, Logan took a step forward, closing the distance between them until she could smell the sharp, peppery notes of his cologne.

"My point is, walk away. That group is completely out of your depth."

Evelyn stood her ground. "Are you threatening me?"

Logan shook his head slowly. "Not a threat. A warning." He took a step back. "You're a smart woman. You should know when to push forward and when to back down."

Evelyn didn't say a word. She studied his face, the calculated coldness in his eyes. She thought of Leo Langford, remembering the way the boy had eagerly called out for his father. Her hands curled into tight fists.

"Do you know Leo Langford?" she asked abruptly.

Logan's brow twitched. "Who?"

"Leo Langford. A little boy."

Logan stared at her for several agonizing seconds. "I don't know him."

With that, he turned and walked away. Evelyn stood frozen, watching his silhouette vanish at the end of the hall. Her heart hammered against her ribs. He claimed he didn't know the boy, but she had caught that micro-pause when he asked 'who.' It hadn't been a natural reaction; it was deliberate. He knew exactly who Leo was.

Pulling out her phone, she quickly fired off a text to Sebastian.

[He knows we're looking into the group. He told me to walk away.]

The reply came instantly: [Where are you?]

Evelyn typed back: [In the hall. Coming back now.]

She tucked her phone away, took a deep, steadying breath, and headed into the restroom. After washing her hands and touching up her makeup, she stared at her reflection. She looked pale, but her eyes were razor-sharp. She had no idea why Logan Astor had confronted her or what his cryptic warnings truly meant. But she knew one thing for certain: he was panicked. And if he was panicked, it meant they were digging in the exact right place.