The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 574

Sebastian Thorne hung up the phone and stood frozen.

He still gripped the device, the screen having long gone dark, but he made no move to lower it.

Evelyn Sullivan watched him. "What's wrong?"

Sebastian turned around, his expression unreadable. It wasn't panic; it was a heavy, sinking gravity—the look of a man still processing devastating news.

"Lance was in a car crash."

Evelyn's fingers stalled. "What?"

"On the way to the restaurant. A truck ran a red light and hit them," Sebastian's voice was flat, but every word sounded like it was being ground out through his teeth. "Louis was in the car with him. Louis is in critical condition. Lance sustained minor injuries."

Evelyn's face drained of color.

"Louis?"

"Yeah. He hitched a ride, heading to the same restaurant."

She stood up, her hand unconsciously drifting to rest over her lower abdomen.

"What did Lance say? Was it an accident?"

Sebastian looked at her.

His gaze alone was enough of an answer.

Evelyn slowly curled her fingers inward. "It was intentional."

"Lance heard them," Sebastian said. "He was in the car, and the two men thought he was unconscious. They spoke in English—'Target eliminated.'"

Target eliminated.

A cold sweat broke out across Evelyn's back.

"Who did they think was in there?"

"Not sure," Sebastian shook his head. "But Lance said the truck T-boned the rear seat, and they only checked the rear. That was the car we were supposed to be taking."

Evelyn said nothing.

Her mind raced.

What if she hadn't felt unwell today? What if she and Sebastian had gone to the restaurant themselves? She would have been the one in that backseat. Or Sebastian.

That truck had aimed precisely for their vehicle.

Her heart began to race.

"I need to get to the hospital." She grabbed her coat.

Sebastian blocked her path. "You're not going. I'll handle it. You stay here, and I'll have Charles's men come over—"