The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 585

Lydia looked up at her.

"Victoria, why are you being so good to me?"

Victoria paused, momentarily caught off guard.

"Pierre told you to look after me, and that should have been enough. Why are you—" Lydia's voice grew hoarse. "Why are you going to such lengths to help me?"

Victoria remained silent for several seconds.

"Because you're worth it," she finally said. "You're nothing like Lyra. Her head is entirely consumed by manipulation and calculations. Yours isn't. You have a genuine heart. Whenever someone treats you well, you return the favor."

She paused, her gaze softening.

"I've been in France for twenty years, and I've met a lot of people. There are some who will turn around and sell you out the second after you help them. You aren't like that."

Lydia's eyes grew glassy.

"Is that why you wanted to help me?"

"Yes."

"But didn't you consider what Pierre would do to you if he found out?"

The corner of Victoria's mouth tipped up in a fleeting, indescribably bitter smile.

"He can't touch me anymore. It's a miracle if he even makes it out alive."

Lydia stared at her, studying her face for a long time.

Then, she lowered her head.

The living room sank into a heavy silence for two or three minutes. The clock on the wall kept ticking, second by second. The light pouring through the window slowly faded as dusk began to settle over the city.

Lydia raised her head.

"Victoria, I'm not leaving."

Victoria looked at her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Lydia's voice was soft, but every word rang with absolute clarity.

"I'm going to carve out my own path from here on out."

Victoria stared at her for a long moment.

"You've thought this through?"

"I have."

Victoria nodded, deciding not to push the issue any further.

"Then I won't force you." She stood up, pulled an envelope out of her bag, and set it on the coffee table. "There's some cash in here. It's not a fortune, but it's enough to cover any emergencies."

Lydia looked at the thick envelope but made no move to take it.

"Also," Victoria pulled a business card from her pocket and placed it beside the money. "Save this number. I've spent twenty years in France, and I've made some connections. If you ever run into an emergency you can't handle, call this number. They will help you."

Lydia examined the card. There was no name, no company logo. Just a string of digits.

"Who is this?" she asked.

"Don't ask. Just save it. Hopefully, you'll never need to use it."

Lydia picked up the card, glanced at it one last time, and slipped it into her pocket.

"Victoria."