The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 599

She didn't have anyone from her hometown here. Her identity was fake, her social media was fake, and even her passport had been arranged by Pierre Fontane. What did "from her hometown" even mean? Who would use an excuse like that to find her?

Lydia stood on the steps, not descending any further. She looked Holly over from head to toe. Jeans, a hoodie, a backpack—she looked like a student. But the vibe was off; she was too composed to be a student.

"Who are you?" she asked directly, her tone a bit cold.

Holly wasn't in a rush to answer. She glanced around—some people were chatting on the lawn, others were walking by, but no one was paying attention to them. She took a step closer to Lydia.

"Ms. Langford, hello."

Lydia's expression changed.

It wasn't a casual "oh, you recognize me" kind of change; it was the kind where all the blood rushes to your head and has to be forcibly shoved back down. Her hand tightened its grip on her bag strap, and she took half a step back.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand." Her voice wasn't loud, but the rejection in her tone was unmistakable. "Who is Lydia Langford? You have the wrong person."

Holly looked her in the eye, perfectly calm.

"You don't need to be nervous." Her voice was very soft, quiet enough that only the two of them could hear. "I work for Mr. Sebastian Thorne. I'm not here to cause you trouble."

Lydia's fingers slowly tightened. Sebastian Thorne. She knew that name. Evelyn Sullivan's fiancé, the grandson-in-law of Charles de Rothschild, and the head of the Thorne family of Northern California.

"Why did he send you to find me?"

"Mr. Thorne would like to ask for a favor. Of course, as part of the trade, you can name your own condition. An equal exchange."

Lydia stared at her for a few seconds.

"I don't want to make any more deals."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was decisive. Like a door slamming shut, leaving no room for negotiation.

"I know you're worried that the deal won't be worth it and might drag you down. But rest assured, whatever happens to you is of no consequence to Mr. Thorne. Otherwise, your affair with Pierre Fontane would have been leaked a long time ago."

"Mr. Thorne just happens to need a favor that you can provide. It's an equal exchange."

"Forget it. The deal with Pierre left me with no way out. I refuse to be used as a pawn again. Leave."

Lydia turned to go.