The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 95

Dusk fell, and the city lights flickered to life. The heavy curtains in the master bedroom were drawn tightly shut once again, leaving only a dim bedside lamp to cast Lyra's long, lonely silhouette against the wall as she sat on the edge of her bed. An oppressive silence permeated the room, broken only by her slightly ragged breathing and the occasional soft buzz of her phone vibrating.

The screen glowed with an eerie blue light, displaying an encrypted messaging app. The contact on the other end had a completely black avatar and a screen name consisting of a single period. Just a few minutes ago, they had sent a photo—two pills sealed inside individual transparent capsules, one pale blue, the other soft pink, resting against a black velvet background. Below the image was a chillingly brief message:

"The goods are at the usual spot. Azure for the target, Rose for yourself. Side effects discussed in person. Cash. Untraceable."

Lyra stared fixedly at the photo, her fingertips hovering just above the screen, trembling slightly. She had secured the Protocol—the most crucial and dangerous piece of her plan. As long as she could get Christian to swallow the azure pill, and she took the rose one herself... relying on the drug's potent catalyst, combined with her understanding of him and her own seductive charm, one night was all it would take to firmly plant the Lancaster bloodline in her womb.

This was the path her father had ordered her to take, and it was the fastest way she could think of to stabilize her position and completely flip the board. With a Lancaster heir on the way, the threat of her past being exposed would plummet. For the sake of their reputation and bloodline, the Lancasters would have no choice but to take her in.

But... "Side effects discussed in person." Those few words felt like needles piercing straight into her heart, bringing a surge of deep unease. What side effects? Why couldn't they just text it to her? Was it that severe, or... was it simply too taboo to leave a paper trail?

She remembered the hushed rumors she had heard in elite circles when she first started asking around about this type of medication. The word was that the drug was incredibly potent, but it came with hidden, unspoken risks—especially regarding its impact on the female user's body. What those risks were exactly, no one could say for sure, because those who used it either kept their mouths firmly shut, or... their endings weren't very pleasant.

A cold chill crept up her spine. Was she really going to gamble her own body and her entire future on this?

Her phone vibrated again. It was a text from Vivian: "Lyra, I managed to 'appease' those editors for now. The story has been suppressed, and they promised not to publish. However, they hinted that the person who leaked it is highly skilled. The evidence provided was incredibly solid, and they didn't just send it to those few outlets. They only held off this time because of the money and our past relationship... next time, it might not be so easy. Also, one of the editors I'm close with secretly told me that the anonymous email's IP address was heavily masked. Initial tracing vaguely points overseas, and the tech used was extremely professional. This wasn't the work of an amateur."

Overseas... Professional...

Lyra's heart sank even further. It wasn't Evelyn, or at least not just Evelyn. Was it... someone from her old life abroad? Fear coiled tightly around her throat once again like icy vines.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's brilliant nightscape glowed with vibrant neon lights. Inside, however, the atmosphere was perfectly serene. Only a few ambient lamps were turned on, casting a soft glow over the minimalist furniture. The faint aroma of brewed tea and freshly baked cookies drifted pleasantly through the air.

Evelyn Sullivan, dressed comfortably in loungewear, sat curled up in the wide, plush sofa, a thin cashmere blanket draped over her legs. She held a steaming mug of black tea in her hands. Her complexion looked much better than it had over the past few days, though her eyes remained as deeply tranquil as still water.

Madeline Thorne sat in the armchair opposite her, a laptop and a freshly printed document resting on the table between them. She took off her reading glasses, rubbing the bridge of her nose with a faint trace of mockery in her tone.

"The Langfords really spared no expense this time," Madeline remarked, picking up her own cup of coffee. "I confirmed it through my channels. Those media outlets that received the leak—especially the most difficult ones—all received massive 'consulting fees' from an offshore account this afternoon. Vivian Valentine, Lyra's 'best friend,' played the broker and was incredibly busy. As of right now, all the exposes regarding Lyra's past abroad and Leo's paternity have been 'temporarily suspended'."

Evelyn gently blew on her tea, taking a small sip as the warm liquid slid down her throat. "Expected. The Langfords might not have deep historical roots, but they've mastered the art of social climbing. They know perfectly well how to use money and connections to pave their way. For a scandal that directly threatens the core reputation of their family, they would bankrupt themselves to bury it."