Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 211

Chapter 211 The Dress That Stole the Room

Chapter 211 The Dress That Stole the Room

She merely dipped her head before leaving to attend to business.

The entire day, she buried herself in the studio, working until evening. By sheer determination, she finished the gown just in time.

Blood red intertwined with pure white, making it striking yet romantic.

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Even with all the dresses she’d handled in her career, Tess still found herself awed by the finished piece.

She carefully packed the gown into a suitcase, along with a recently powered–off camera from the nearby table.

With that, most of the work was done.

Am

Her nerves eased, and even her steps felt lighter as she entered the Evermount Villa.

But unlike her mood, the man lounging on the living room sofa radiated a heavy, stormy

presence.

Tess didn’t spare him a glance and headed straight for her room.

Finn’s eyes flickered with surprise when the door shut with a sharp bang. He stared at it for a moment, his brow furrowing.

Too proud to knock, he retreated to his study instead, locking himself in until midnight.

Tess never cared for such games. She had only one goal–to do her best for tomorrow’s banquet. That night, she slept soundly beside her child until morning.

The night was eerily calm, but beneath the surface, currents were shifting.

Entry to the banquet and ticket checks began in the afternoon.

Tess arrived in Connor’s car. Since he was the host, she didn’t have to join the long line of debutantes outside but was escorted directly into the hotel.

She thanked him with a nod before heading off to change.

This trip was all about making an impression–there was no room for mistakes. She hadn’t expected Connor’s involvement.

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9:46 Wed, Oct 8

Chapter 211 The Dress That Stole the Room

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Her hands moved faster, aware of the man quietly checking his gold watch now and then. though he never rushed her. Even so, she began to feel a bit guilty.

Then she opened the door.

White and red merged seamlessly on her figure.

Her delicate frame carried the gown’s beauty to perfection.

Gone was the youthful naivety–now, as a mother, her elegance held a quiet allure.

Connor’s lips parted slightly, his steady gaze breaking for a moment.

Tess noticed the unhidden admiration in his eyes and knew she looked stunning.

She started toward the hall, but he caught her wrist.

His palm was huge–cool at the edges, warm at the center.

“Wait,” he said. “I’ll have the host call you in when it’s time.”

He had planned every

detail.

She hesitated only a moment before nodding in agreement.

For now, the moment was calm. Outside, however, the crowd was buzzing.

“It’s almost time. She said she’d clear the air-so where is she?”

“She’s probably too scared to show. Such a waste of Mr. Hale’s effort.”

“If you ask me, that ex–con Tess has no credibility. And yet, she always has someone powerful backing her. Must be her body she’s selling … ”

The guests chattered on, their complaints tumbling over one another, until their eyes began to meet–each glance laced with a shared, knowing contempt.

The woman who had been leading the gossip froze mid–sentence. Out of nowhere, she sneezed, then turned around, a shiver running through her as she found herself staring into a pair of dangerous eyes–so deep they were like a black hole, ready to pull her in and never let her escape.

“Mr. Lock…

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Chapter 211 The Dress That Stole the Room

Her voice trembled, her face pale.

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She hated Tess, but even she had to admit–Tess was lucky to have married this man.

Finn’s lips curved into a frost–edged smile. He lifted his chin slightly. “Are you from the Lamberts?”

The words were like shards of ice.

The other women scattered instantly.

Emma was on the verge of tears, standing there alone and fragile, awash in a crushing wave of regret.

Back then, she would have been thrilled for Finn to even remember her family’s name–but

not now.

Her teeth chattered uncontrollably.

“Terminate all Lock Group collaborations with the Lamberts, he said coldly. “And have all our partners cut ties as well. I don’t care about the losses–do it immediately.”

His gaze swept over the group like a blade–deadly, warning.

Then he turned and strode away, his tall frame radiating an authority that lingered long after he was gone.

Emma collapsed to the floor in a cold sweat.

It was over.

All because she’d let her tongue slip, her family was now facing ruin.

Finn didn’t care about the fallout. He walked into the main hall, eyes scanning the crowd for the woman he hadn’t yet seen.