Chapter 6 The bathroom at Lowell Manor was nearly cavernous in size . I submerged myself in the warm water until it covered my chin , holding my breath for a long time before surfacing sharply , gasping violently . Once . Twice . Three times . let the stench of the swamp - mixed with blood and rotting mud - seemed to have seeped into my pores , coiling around the deepest nerves of my sense of smell , impossible to wash away . ' hysical filth might be cleansed , but the psychological defilement clung like a disease in the bones , lodged firmly in my chest . ander's mocking face . lover's false tone . The roar of helicopter blades . The cold touch of leeches crawling . The sinister gaze of snakes . ountless fragmented images assaulted my mind . Ha . " let out a cold laugh through the rising steam . ive years . full five years . ' d played the utter fool - the devoted partner content with poverty - thinking time and sincerity could earn me a relationship free of Iterior motives . ind what did I get ? meticulously planned murder livestream . Complete betrayal . The purity I'd clung to was , in their eyes , probably just a laughable , inconvenient joke . stood from the tub , water droplets sliding down my skin . n the floor - length mirror , a completely different figure stared back . No longer the Lyra who had to endure , restrain , compromise . Still pale from blood loss , but those eyes - sharp as an unsheathed blade . The aura radiating from me was one of long - held power , of life - and - death authority . This was the real Lyra Lowell Chapter 6 The sole heir to the Lowell empire . A soft knock sounded at the door . ' Come in . " fastened the last cufflink , tone flat . Maverick entered , now dressed in a sharp gray professional suit , hair impeccable , though faint exhaustion lingered beneath his eyes . His report was as calm as ever . Miss . " Vincent Caldwell , Zander's father , has requested an urgent meeting . He's been waiting in the side hall for nearly two hours . " picked up a Patek Philippe watch , fastening it leisurely around my wrist . The cold metal touched my skin . Let him keep waiting . " My voice held no emotion . The daughter - in - law who'd once been courteous to the Caldwells was dead . had no interest - and no obligation - to entertain a man who'd failed to raise his son properly and only came begging now . Maverick handed me a brand - new encrypted phone . Several people concerned about you called the estate . They've been forwarded here . " raised an eyebrow , signaling him to continue . Young Mr. Ronan Ashford from Ashford Group called with sincere concern , asking if you're well . He stated the Ashfords can provide ny assistance you need . " Maverick paused , his tone carrying faint sarcasm . Also , the owner of Starlight Entertainment personally called , warmly inviting you to tomorrow night's charity gala they're osting - supposedly to help you recover from the shock . " scoffed , fingertip sliding across the cold phone screen . Word traveled fast . Last night's swamp incident might've been suppressed , but my identity as the Lowell heir was earthquake - level news in elite circles . People who wouldn't have given " Mrs. Caldwell " a second glance were now scrambling to curry favor with Miss Lowell . Expressing concern was a façade . Testing the winds and seizing opportunities was the truth . Human nature at its most opportunistic . I set down the phone , voice indifferent . " Decline them all . " Chapter 6 " No visitors for now . " My gaze settled on Maverick , softening slightly . " Aside from you , I don't want to see anyone right now. " Maverick nodded slightly , eyes complex as they rested on me briefly . He said only . " Understood . The doctor is waiting outside . He insists on conducting another thorough examination . " A professional medical team conducted a full assessment . The conclusion was similar to before . Mainly superficial injuries , mild hypothermia , physical exhaustion , and severe psychological shock . Rest was essential . The doctor prescribed sedatives and nutritional supplements , emphasizing the need for proper rest . I agreed , but once they left , I walked straight into the study . Behind the wide desk , I leaned back in the leather chair , listening as Maverick systematically outlined tomorrow's press conference arrangements . " This is the statement drafted by PR . Please review it . " He handed me the tablet . The statement was precise and objective - briefly explaining that I had married Mr. Zander Caldwell while concealing my identity for personal reasons , that I'd recently suffered serious unlawful harm , and that I would pursue legal recourse to protect my rights . I scanned it quickly and set the tablet back on the desk Not enough . "