The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 593

But she wasn't stupid.

She had once been the pride of her family, meticulously groomed for success. She had a degree in economics, cut her teeth in corporate environments, and had even run her own successful ventures. She wasn't just some clueless, vapid socialite. She knew how to read a balance sheet, and she knew how to read between the lines.

Julian's final comment echoed in her mind: *"Isn't Christian currently investigating me? Why don't you just ask him?"*

Christian was investigating Julian. Why? What had he uncovered?

Lawrence had just ordered Christian to his office. What exactly was he going to ask him?

Standing in the silent corridor, Penelope suddenly felt like an outsider in her own family. Her husband was hiding things from her, and her son was doing the exact same. She was trapped in the dark, entirely blind to the storm brewing around them.

The realization felt worse than discovering Lyra's web of lies.

She pulled out her phone, her fingers still trembling violently.

She opened her messages and typed a quick text to Vanessa.

[My stomach is acting up. I'm going to head home early. Enjoy your lunch, put it on my card. We'll get together again soon.]

Send.

She shoved the phone back into her purse, took a deep breath, and used the wall to steady herself as she forced her legs to move.

The corridor felt impossibly long under the harsh, white lights. She walked excruciatingly slowly, her feet feeling like lead. Her brain was completely overloaded—Ethan, Julian, Christian investigating him, Lawrence summoning Christian.

These jagged threads were tangled together, and she had no idea how to unravel them. But one thing was painfully clear: the Lancaster family was harboring a massive, terrifying secret, and she was the only one intentionally kept out of the loop.

She finally reached the restaurant entrance but didn't go inside. Through the heavy glass doors, she saw Vanessa and Piper already seated at a booth, looking over the menus. Piper was laughing at something, and Vanessa was smiling as she listened.

Penelope didn't touch the door handle. She simply turned and walked toward the elevators.

The doors slid open, and she stepped inside. Leaning heavily against the metal paneling, she closed her eyes.

Her phone buzzed. She pulled it out. A text from Vanessa.

[Are you okay? Do you need me to take you to a doctor?]

Penelope quickly typed back.

[I'm fine. Enjoy your lunch.]

Send.