Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 278

Chapter 278 She’s Awake

Chapter 278 She’s Awake

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[Can you believe Nexus had the nerve to steal patents and still act so confident in the first trial? This actually crushed the spirits of all those lawyers who defended them online.]

Sarcasm and angry comments filled the web, piling up by the minute.

Steven’s head throbbed as he scrolled the comments.

He shut off the news, took a breath, and searched for Lyra’s number.

“I can help you get back into District Court. Let’s meet,” he said as soon as she answered.

There was a pause. Then came a short reply, “Send me your location.”

Both sides rushed to start their investigations. Meanwhile, Tess quietly opened her eyes.

At first, everything felt hazy. She stared up at the ceiling, her body aching as if every bone had come apart.

Her throat was dry and raw when she tried to breathe.

Slowly, she turned her head and realized she was in a hospital.

Through the wide window, only a faint glow of light showed outside. She saw shadows of trees swaying in the night.

Relief almost washed over her. As soon as she calmed herself down, memories came crashing back like a wave.

She remembered being blindfolded, unable to see, but the voices and cruel laughter of men were still sharp in her ears.

The sound of those perverts moving closer, the heavy shadow falling over her–those had become her nightmare.

Her chest tightened. Then another memory broke through.

Finn storms in, kicking the monster away.

He leaned over her, speaking gently, like a stranger she barely knew.

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14:55 Tue, Oct 14

Chapter 278 She’s Awake

Tess knitted her brows, forcing all of it out of her mind.

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But then another thought struck her: before she was kidnapped, Layla had been left in the hospital.

Her eyes flew open wide. Fear flooded through her body.

She tried to sit up and accidentally knocked over a glass of water on the bedside table.

The sharp crash of breaking glass echoed through the quiet. It drew the attention of the caregiver.

The door swung open. A familiar nurse peeked inside, then gasped with joy. “Mrs. Lock is awake!”

Her words were like a trumpet call. In an instant, a crowd of doctors rushed in. They nervously surrounded Tess’s bed to check on her.

“How is she awake so soon? Director, did you see anything unusual?”

“No problems. Recovery looks good.”

They kept talking over one another while Tess blinked at the busy scene, dazed.

“M–my child … ”

She tried to keep her back straight. Her voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper, like a mosquito buzz.

The nurse caught the words. She leaned forward and shouted, “Mrs. Lock is asking for Layla!”

The sudden cry silenced all the doctors.

“You…” Tess froze as her gaze landed on the nurse,

It was the same nurse who had been taking care of Layla before.

“Mrs. Lock, don’t worry. Layla is healthy. I’ll bring her to you right away!”

The nurse hurried off at once.

The doctors snapped to attention. When they saw the sweat on Tess’s forehead, the chief doctor quickly ordered everyone to step aside.

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14:55 Tue, Oct 14

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Chapter 278 She’s Awake

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After checking and confirming that Tess was fine, they gave the nurse a few instructions and quietly left the room.

Soon, Layla was carried in.

The moment she saw her mother, her curious eyes welled up with tears. Her little mouth trembled. She clung to Tess’s arm, wailing in grief.

Tess’s heart ached as she held her little girl close.

“It’s okay. It’s all over now,” she whispered, rocking her gently.

Her body was still covered in wounds, but she ignored the pain, swaying Layla until the child settled a little.

“Mommy,” Layla whimpered against her chest.

Her tiny nose was red and raw from crying.

The nurse watching the scene, she felt her nose sting with emotion.

“Thank you for taking care of her,” Tess rasped, her voice hoarse.

The nurse was startled by the gratitude and waved her hands quickly. “It’s what I should do.”

“Mrs. Lock, your throat sounds bad. I’ll get you some water.”

She turned to leave. Before she could return, the door to the room swung open.

A tall hand had pushed it wide, letting in a sudden chill.

Tess looked up instinctively and froze.

“Daddy!” Layla squealed with joy.

Tess frowned and shot her daughter a sharp look. She was clearly upset at her for calling him that.

Layla shrank back, looking more pitiful than ever.

After all, Finn really was her father.

“She didn’t say it wrong,” Finn said calmly as he closed the door behind him.

He pulled a chair closer and sat down as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

O

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14:56 Tue, Oct 14

Chapter 278 She’s Awake

He had saved her life. But still…

:.

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Tess pressed her lips together. She didn’t know how to face him, so she kept her expression cold.

“Do you know who’s behind this?” Finn asked.

He could see she didn’t want to deal with him. Finn blinked, shifting the topic.

At that, Tess finally turned her gaze toward him.

Her eyes lowered as she thought back, trying to remember.

The room fell silent.

Finn’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, noticed her unease, then quietly looked away.

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