Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 105

Chapter 105 Never Felt This Humiliated Before 

There was such a chill around Abel that it kept the ambitious socialites from coming any closer. 

No one dared to approach, though some nervous eyes still glanced his way. 

But the moment he spotted Tess, that cold look on his face softened, and for a brief second, his dark eyes brightened. 

He closed the gap in just a few steps, stopping right in front of her, surprise clear in his gaze. 

“You’re stunning.” 

The simple compliment made Tess blush slightly. 

She lowered her eyes and softly said, “Let’s go inside first.” 

Abel noticed her nervousness and kindly took the lead, stepping forward to guide her. 

His tall figure shielded the slender woman and the baby in her arms from view. 

Tess’s arrival frustrated the women who had been eyeing Abel earlier. 

They’d been wondering who could be lucky enough to be his companion. 

But it turned out to be a woman holding a baby. 

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t connect this woman’s face to the famous lawyer, Tess-they only felt she looked vaguely familiar, like someone they’d seen somewhere before. 

After all, the lawyer had been out of the public eye for two years. 

Their confused expressions said it all, but there was nothing to do except enter with heavy hearts and sour moods. 

Just as Abel and Tess walked inside, a sleek black Maybach-the kind only a few people owned-pulled up to the entrance. 

The door opened, revealing a pair of elegant leather shoes first. 

As the crowd looked up, Finn’s tense, cold face came into view. 

Finn, the richest man in Aetheris! 

His arrival silenced the crowd, who instinctively parted to give him space. 

Used to the treatment, Finn adjusted his shiny cufflinks and walked confidently inside. 

After a brief silence, whispers erupted. 

“Oh, my God! Mr. Lock’s here! But where’s Ms. Nadine this time?” 

Excitement quickly turned into confusion. 

“Yeah, doesn’t Mr. Lock usually bring Ms. Nadine? Why isn’t she here tonight?” 

1/3 

Guests exchanged puzzled looks, gossip buzzing around. 

At that moment, Max’s car arrived too, but he didn’t rush out. 

But… 

Nadine clenched her fists tightly. 

I can’t understand why a convicted mother like Tess draws so much attention from Aetheris’s elite. What does Tess have that I don’t? 

Grinding her teeth until they ached, she reluctantly held her flowing gown and stepped out of the car. Splitting from Max, she headed inside separately. 

Finn hadn’t asked Nadine to be his date this time, and the organizers hadn’t sent her an invitation either. Though she was the head of Lock Group’s legal department and qualified for one, Finn always brought her before, so the hosts didn’t send a separate invite this year. 

If she hadn’t begged Max, she probably wouldn’t have been allowed in. 

Nadine smoothed the wrinkles from her dress’s hem as she stepped forward, forcing a polite smile. 

The rich fabric creased with the movement but smoothed again as she lowered her hand. 

Her arrival caught the attention of guests near the entrance, who paused briefly before quickly looking away. 

Biting her lip, Nadine stayed quiet and walked straight into the venue. 

As she disappeared inside, the guests exchanged knowing looks, silently understanding the awkward meaning behind it all. 

Nadine wasn’t foolish. She knew well the looks thrown her way. 

Inside, she felt suffocated and frustrated. 

Since taking Tess’s place a year ago, she’d been admired and respected everywhere, so she’d never felt this humiliated before.