The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 558

Paris. The Astor Estate. The Study.

The heavy velvet curtains were drawn, and the main lights remained off, leaving the room bathed only in the flickering orange glow of the fireplace. The Duke sat deep in a leather armchair, a snifter of cognac resting untouched in his hand. His assistant stood rigidly before him, head bowed.

"What did you find?" The Duke's voice was a dangerous rumble.

The assistant opened his tablet. "Leon's death... there was foul play. But we haven't pinpointed exactly who orchestrated the hit."

The Duke's brow furrowed heavily. "And Pierre?"

"Mr. Pierre Astor..." The assistant hesitated. "He's connected to Leon's death. But perhaps not directly. He had men tailing Leon before the crash, and his operatives were in the vicinity when it happened."

The Duke's grip on the snifter tightened. "Why was he having Leon followed?"

"We don't know, sir. But his men were absolutely at the scene."

The Duke fell silent for a long moment. "What else?"

"While looking into Leon's social circles, we flagged a name. Lyra Langford. A ballerina who relocated from New York. She and Leon were involved, and rumor has it she gave birth to his son."

The Duke's eyebrow twitched. "A son?"

"Yes, sir. His name is Leo Langford. He's currently in New York, staying with Lyra's parents."

The Duke stood up and walked over to the window. Outside, night had completely fallen over the estate. The garden lights illuminated the silver spray of the massive stone fountain. He stood there for a long time.

"This woman... is it possible she ordered the hit?" he finally asked.