Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 388

Chapter 388 The Press Turns

Tess bit her lip and forced down the strange feelings rising inside her.

She carefully slipped the file into the hidden pocket of her bag.

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She was certain now–Shannon was alive. She hadn’t even left Aetheris. But then where had Henry gotten that security footage he just showed?

That was her first question.

With this flash drive, she finally had a chance to dig deeper.

The room was still unsettled, the noise pressing from all sides, until at last Kylie stepped forward.

She held another microphone in her hand.

“I’m Kylie,” she said, her voice calm but steady. “Years ago, Shannon saved my life, and she died because of it. As for the recent rumors, there’s been some truth mixed in.”

Her words calmed the crowd, and the person involved stepped forward. All eyes turned to her.

She lowered her gaze slightly, her whole presence soft and distant, almost untouchable.

“I’ve seen the pictures and videos online. The woman standing next to my husband, Henry, is not Shannon. That woman is named Sacha. She looked like Shannon and even had surgery to resemble her more, just to get close to Henry. He told me everything. And I chose to forgive him.”

Her calm voice carried across the hall.

“Long before this, Henry had already explained everything to the media. But I understand- after all the chaos lately, people have grown wary of any official statement. That’s why, as the one involved, I came forward myself to clear things up.”

When she finished, Kylie set the microphone down and slowly stepped off the stage.

Tess narrowed her eyes and followed her with a sharp gaze. She watched every movement until Kylie vanished from sight.

In her memory, Kylie had always been pampered and proud, carrying the air of someone raised in privilege. But marriage to Henry had worn her down–she’d grown sharp, bitter, and full of spite.

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16:41 Fri, Oct 24 M…

Chapter 388 The Press Turns

Since Tess had completely cut ties with the Embers, almost three weeks had passed.

She remembered the last glimpse of Kylie’s black dress as she disappeared.

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Tess had even arranged for Lyra and Bessie to keep an eye on Kylic. But why did it feel like, overnight, she had become a different person?

Tess’s unease grew heavier, though no matter how she pondered this, the pieces wouldn’t fit. She had to set her doubts aside for now.

With Kylie’s testimony backing him up, Henry looked far more relaxed on stage.

He scanned the crowd of guests and reporters, his expression calm as he lifted the microphone again. His gaze slid past Abel and landed squarely on Tess. “Mr. Shaw,” Henry said smoothly, “I don’t understand why you felt the need to interrupt earlier, or for whose sake. After all, my family has no real conflict with you or with Mr. Lock.”

The words seemed mild, but the intent was sharp.

Henry kept his tone polite, but his gaze and hint were clear. He was pointing the finger at Tess.

The tension rippled through the crowd.

Henry gave a broad, practiced smile and adjusted his tie. “Of course, now that the funeral has gone on, we can overlook the little scuffles just now. Between the witnesses I’ve brought and my wife’s personal statement, everything here should be enough to end the false stories and rumors against my family and against me. I trust the press will report fairly and truthfully on today’s events.”

He gave a small bow.

Tess raised an eyebrow.

Sure enough, the moment Henry announced everyone was free to move around, cameras and microphones surged toward Tess like a crashing wave, as if they meant to drown her.

“Ms. Tess, the Embers accused you of being the one behind the rumors. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

“Ms. Tess, was it really jealousy that drove you to try to destroy the Embers?”

“Ms. Tess-”

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16:41 Fri, Oct 24 M…

Chapter 388 The Press Turns

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The questions flew so fast, reporters shouting with excitement, raising their microphones so high they could’ve touched the ceiling.

In that moment, the microphones felt like sharp knives flashing in the air, all aimed straight at

Tess.

Abel and Connor quickly stepped forward, putting themselves between her and the reporters.

“Stay back!” Connor’s voice carried an icy edge.

“Come any closer, and don’t blame me for what happens next!” Abel growled, his tone dark and threatening.

Lyra wasn’t as tall as the two men, but she lifted her badge high, flashing it as a warning.

For a moment, the frenzied reporters, eyes blazing, held back. Their rush slowed, restrained just enough to stop them from boxing Tess in.

Tess listened to the nonstop questions and the clamor pressing in from all sides. Irritation pricked at her, and she frowned.

16:41 Fri, Oct 24 M…

Chapter 389 Chaos at the Funeral

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Chapter 389 Chaos at the Funeral