The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 581

"I figured it out." Sebastian's tone was eerily calm. "The moment Lance mentioned they rammed the back seat, I knew. You always sit on the right side of the rear. The truck struck the left side."

Evelyn's brow twitched. "The left?"

"Yeah. Directly behind the driver." Sebastian held her gaze. "That's my seat."

Evelyn's fingers slowly tightened into fists.

She had missed that crucial detail. Her mind had only processed that the hitmen targeted the back, assuming the intended victim was riding in the rear.

But there was a left and a right side to that backseat.

The left side—Sebastian's usual spot.

"So their target really was you," she murmured.

"Yeah."

"From the very beginning, it was always you."

"Yeah."

Evelyn leaned back into the leather seat, staring up at the roof of the car. The interior lights were off, leaving the ceiling swallowed in shadow.

"Then that makes things much easier."

Sebastian turned to look at her. "Easier how?"

"Knowing exactly who the target is gives us the upper hand." Evelyn spoke with chilling composure. "Before, when we weren't sure who he was gunning for, we both had to hide. Now that we know—he wants you dead—we can flip the script and lay a trap."

Sebastian studied her. "What kind of trap?"

Evelyn mulled it over for a second.

"Let him think you're already dead. Or at least critically injured. Either way—make him believe he pulled it off."

"And then?"

"And then he drops his guard. That's our window to strike."

Sebastian was quiet for a long moment. "Are you absolutely sure he'll drop his guard?"

"He will." Evelyn met his gaze steadily. "Because in his eyes, you're a nobody."

Sebastian's frown deepened.

"I'm not trying to insult you," Evelyn quickly clarified. "I mean—he's a financial titan in Luxembourg, a core member of The Astor Family. He's been running his elite circle for decades. He's seen it all, done it all. To him, you're just a young upstart. Some hotshot Chinese businessman with no real European roots and zero serious backing."

Sebastian remained silent.

"He completely underestimates you," Evelyn pressed. "And that arrogance is going to be his fatal flaw. It's our biggest advantage."

Silence blanketed the car for several seconds.

Sebastian reached out, wrapping his hand securely around hers.

"You're right."

Evelyn didn't pull away.

"Let's go," she told the driver. "Take us to Résidence du Lac."

The engine finally purred to life.

The nighttime scenery began to blur past them. The scattered lights glowing across the lake looked like a sea of shattered diamonds.

Sebastian's phone buzzed again.

He checked the screen. It was another text from Lance.

"The nurse said the men left immediately after hearing the cover story. They didn't push for more details."

Staring at the glowing text, Sebastian typed out a quick reply.