The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 604

The phone rang while Julian St. Claire was reviewing some documents. His phone buzzed, and he picked it up—Sebastian Thorne. It was an encrypted line, the number changing with every call. He answered without speaking, waiting for the other end to break the silence.

"Logan made his move on me," Sebastian said. His voice was incredibly calm, as if he were merely discussing the weather.

Julian's fingers paused. "The car crash? I received word that a mysterious businessman was critically injured in a crash in Switzerland. I assumed it was you."

"The car was mine. But I wasn't in it."

"Then who was?"

"The Duke's son. Louis. He just happened to hitch a ride."

Julian fell silent for a few seconds. He set his pen down and leaned back in his chair. "Logan thinks it's you?"

"Yes." Sebastian lowered his voice. "And we're going to let him keep thinking that. It's a setup."

A faint smile touched Julian's lips. "So you've gone to the shadows?"

"Exactly. It's easier to operate in the dark. He's out in the open, thinking I'm neutralized. Once he drops his guard—"

"I get it," Julian interrupted. "But what about your family? Once the news of your accident spreads, they'll—"

"I've already notified them. Eleanor booked a flight; she's heading to Switzerland in the next couple of days."

Julian paused. "Does she know it's not you?"

"She does. But we have to sell the performance. When she gets to the hospital in Switzerland, she's going to cry and cause a scene. If Logan's people are watching, they'll be convinced I'm the one in that bed."

Julian chuckled. "Is she a good enough actress for that?"

"She almost went to Juilliard for acting back in the day. What do you think?"

A brief silence fell between them.

Julian dropped his smile. "There's one thing I still don't understand."

"Go on."

"Why wouldn't Logan target Evelyn Sullivan? She's the biggest threat on your side. If anything happened to her, your entire operation would essentially collapse. Logan isn't blind to that."

Sebastian didn't answer immediately. The line was so quiet Julian could hear his light, steady breathing. Finally, he spoke. "Evelyn isn't just Charles's granddaughter. She has government backing. I don't know exactly who they are, but the clearance level is incredibly high. Logan has the guts to come after me, but he wouldn't dare touch her."

Julian frowned. "Government backing?"

"Yes. How else do you think she secured those flight route indicators and special clearances? Charles can provide money, but he can't buy that kind of access."

Julian stayed silent for a long time. He wanted to ask if Sebastian knew who it was, but he swallowed the question. In this game, the less you knew, the safer you were.

"Let's drop that for now," Sebastian said, shifting the topic. "How are things on your end? Are the Lancasters still watching you?"

Julian leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Lawrence Lancaster came to see me."

"When?"

"A few days ago. We 'bumped' into each other at a restaurant, but it didn't feel like a coincidence. It felt like he sought me out." Julian's tone was flat. "He asked if I knew Ethan Lancaster."

Sebastian said nothing.

"I told him I didn't. He didn't buy it." Julian paused. "But he doesn't have any proof."

"What about Christian Lancaster?"

"Still investigating me. But he won't find anything. My background is spotless; whatever he digs up is strictly surface-level." Julian tapped his fingers lightly against the desk. "There is one thing, though—Penelope Lancaster is starting to get suspicious."