Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 214

Chapter 214 Her Proof

Chapter 214 Her Proof

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“Don’t cry, Ms. Nadine. A thief like Tess deserves to be called out. If she didn’t want this mess, she shouldn’t have done it in the first place!”

While everyone else was spitting out angry words, Tess stayed surprisingly calm.

Finn tightened his grip before letting go, but his eyes stayed locked on her face.

In the corner, a pair of gloomy, fearful eyes hid.

Emma scanned the furious guests and tried to make herself invisible.

She didn’t dare get involved. After all, Finn, the most prominent and richest man in Aetheris, was lounging on the couch. Connor, the host of the gala, was standing right next to Tess.

Even though Finn acted like Tess didn’t matter to him, Emma had been bombarded with calls asking what Tess had done.

He was obviously protecting Tess.

With those two backing her up, rumors didn’t mean a thing.

Emma hunched her shoulders, feeling sick when she imagined the trouble waiting for her later.

The discussions and insults hit their peak.

Then, the big screen flickered, switching to a video.

The camera zoomed in on a desk, capturing a slender, fair hand sketching on paper. The footage sped up, and a gorgeous design took shape in no time.

Then, the camera pulled back, showing a stunning, serious–looking face.

The room went dead quiet.

The video rolled on. Tess made a dress, shaped the pattern, selected the fabric, and sewed deep red pearls onto the hem.

The piece slowly came together, growing more perfect by the second.

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Chapter 214 Her Proof

Then, the screen went black.

Nadine froze, turning paler.

Tess lifted her gaze slowly, scanning the stiff, silent crowd. Her voice sounded light but dripping with sarcasm. “So? Is that enough proof for you?”

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She pulled off her veil, and the spotlight hit her face–smooth checks and red lips, as if she’d stepped right out of a painting.

Finn’s usually calm eyes narrowed.

Standing close, Connor caught a faint cool scent from her and felt a little thrown off.

“Nadine, now it’s my turn to ask. Where exactly did you get my design draft?”

Tess‘ face chilled instantly. The large red beads on her skirt seemed frozen solid, like hardened drops of blood.

“Funny

… I didn’t realize Selina knew you.”

She gave a mocking sneer, head tilted high, carrying herself with a mix of pride and elegance.

From the second floor, someone quietly took in the scene–admiration tinged with longing, edged by obsession. But when it shifted to Nadine’s pale face, it was replaced by pure disgust and coldness.

People began glancing toward Nadine, their expressions a mix of doubt, shock, and confusion.

They couldn’t believe that Nadine, the one they had trusted, was the liar. And Tess, the one everyone had ridiculed and looked down on, turned out to be Selina.

The crowd’s gazes wavered, like reality itself had started to feel unreal.

“I … I… ”

Nadine’s lips moved stiffly, her fingers twisting together before she forced herself to speak. “Someone sent that design draft to my email anonymously. I only said I knew Selina because I thought no one would believe me otherwise. Tess, I just didn’t want to see you take the wrong path, but I had no idea you were truly Selina. That’s … good…

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But her explanation didn’t win everyone over.

To them, it felt like she’d used them as pawns just now.

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Chapter 214 Her Proof

“Weren’t you sisters close? If you wanted to stop he

why not just talk to her first?”

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Voices with similar accusations surrounded her. Nadine stood frozen, helpless, and finally turned toward Finn with tears.

His cool, detached stare met hers, sending a chill down her spine. Then, she fainted.

Right before she hit the floor, Finn frowned and caught her, handing her off to Zane.

Zane nearly jumped, like he’d just been handed something that could explode.

Not daring to hold her too much, he grabbed her collar and the waist of her dress just enough to keep her upright before quickly rushing off to get an ambulance.

Once Finn stepped in, the murmurs died down.

Everyone assumed he was about to defend Nadine. But instead, he stepped forward and positioned himself between Tess and Connor.

He swept over them coldly, finally stopping on Tess‘ frown.

“There’s new evidence in the case from a year ago involving Tess. Lock Group will have the original team reopen the investigation.”

The tone and gaze were like a winter moon high over an icy peak–chilling, distant, yet unshakably proud.

Beside him, the host, whose spotlight had just been stolen, couldn’t hide his pale face or embarrassment. But Finn stood firm, untouchable, and the crowd didn’t dare to say anything.

His words spread fast.