Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 251

Chapter 251 A Broken Resolve

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He locked his gaze on Tess, as if he had decided to read something from those captivating

eyes.

Tess’s heart skipped a beat at his sharp question, but she forced herself to turn her face away.

“There is no what if, Abel. Leave me alone!” Everyone had turned against her. And after serving time, how could she ever open her heart again? Layla was all she had left.

During those dark nights of captivity, Layla was the light that gave her strength. She had once poured her love into someone, only to be left with nothing. She had once placed her trust in someone, only to be betrayed so deeply that it felt like hell.

Memories of her broken trust flashed through her mind. Tess avoided Abel’s gaze, her tone cold and heavy, filled with exhaustion and loathing.

Abel froze, his strength draining immediately.

“Say that again!”

She gave the same answer.

“Please, stop bothering me!”

The bright fire in his eyes

dimmed.

Tess turned and walked away.

This time, Abel didn’t follow.

Her fingers tightened around her purse.

I’m sorry, Abel.

At Lock Group, Finn sat in his office, flipping through the files Zane had given him.

His brows drew together.

“Tess won the case?”

His voice was cool, edged with surprise.

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Chapter 251 A Broken Resolve

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“Yes. Mr. Zack, whom the plaintiff Nadine represented, was unhappy with both the verdict and her performance. He caused a scene here earlier, so I asked her to take him back to her office and handle it.”

Zane reported everything clearly.

Finn’s eyes darkened, lingering on the pile of documents on his desk. His emotions were hard to read.

How could Nadine lose to Tess?

Every triumph Tess once claimed in the courtroom was thanks to Nadine working quietly behind her. So when they finally stood on opposite sides, how could Tess have beaten her?

Confusion clouded his thoughts, and Zane could sense his doubt.

“Zane,” Finn finally spoke, meeting his eyes.

“Do you really think someone like Tess–who built her reputation by stealing credit from others–could actually defeat Nadine in court?”

After all, Tess had lost her license and spent a whole year in prison. There was no way she could have honed her skills in there. Meanwhile, Nadine had become the Chief Legal Counsel at Lock Group, with access to confidential cases and resources no one else could touch.

In both theory and practice, Nadine should have had the upper hand.

Zane’s chest tightened as two faces flashed in his mind. Tess–elegant, strong, and independent. Nadine–soft, fragile, and spoiled, the kind of girl who had been pampered since childhood. If he was being honest, judging by character and professionalism, he leaned toward

Tess.

He lifted his eyes toward Finn, whose brow was furrowed deep with worry. Zane pressed his lips together, swallowed what he really wanted to say, and wisely kept silent.

“Go manage the media buzz,” Finn said.

When there’s no reply, Finn waved him off, signaling him to leave.

Meanwhile, in the office next door, Nadine had just sent Zack out. She walked back in, opened her laptop, and froze.

Online, Tess’s reputation had flipped again.

The judge had gone on social media to clarify that Tess hadn’t taken part in the defense. She

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Chapter 251 A Broken Resolve

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Nadine’s eyes locked on the verified account with a check. The username was Lyra Bell–the very judge from that trial.

Her teeth sank into her lip as her fingers scrolled down through the comments.

The speed of the crowd’s change of heart left her shaken.

[So the judge confirmed Tess was only there as support.]

[I heard Tess and the defendant are friends. The actual defense lawyer was that guy named Tommy Jynn.]

[Guess we misunderstood her again. Looks like the whole internet owes her an apology.]

The comment section, once filled with hate, had turned almost playful. Nadine’s expression darkened.

She had already paid people inside the court to keep things under wraps. So why was someone stepping up to defend Tess now?

Her fists clenched tight. Bitterness and fury burned inside her chest.

Nadine had risked her reputation in court. Zack had stormed to the office to cause trouble. And yet Tess came out on top–gaining sympathy, clearing her name, and even earning the internet’s guilt.

Why?

Would Tess always outshine her?

Her face twisted in rage. She couldn’t hold back and called Max, her voice sharp the moment he picked up. “You said everything was handled! Then why did someone come forward to help Tess?”

There was silence on the other end, followed by a low, mocking laugh. “Zack lost because of your poor performance. I’ve helped you enough. Don’t think you should take out your anger

at me.”

Max’s fingers tapped against his desk, his face hardened, and his voice was flat and cold. “Do you know how much money and influence I burned through to pull strings at the court? I should be sending you the bill.”

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