Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 414

Chapter 414 None of Your Business

Lachlan rushed through the whole story, afraid Tess would lose patience and leave him behind.

Tess frowned, her emotions tangled in a way she couldn’t name.

She let out a long sigh. “My grandmother… She’s already passed away.”

Lachlan froze for a moment.

Tess turned to leave.

Lachlan realized she was walking away and quickly hurried after her. “I told you, you have to take me home with you.”

Maybe it was the mention of Gillian that made Tess’s chest feel tight, as if a heavy weight pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.

Her face darkened.

“The

“No!”

person you’re looking for is gone. You really don’t need to stay in Krigan.”

Lachlan’s blue eyes widened. He stepped closer, gripping her jacket even tighter. “Tess, I’m here for you.”

“She’s not the person you’re looking for.”

A low, sharp voice cut through the air like a blade.

The familiar sound made Tess stop in her tracks. She turned slowly, eyes narrowing.

“Finn?” she said, frowning. “What are you doing here?”

Her gaze swept over him, cold and sharp. “Were you following me?”

Finn’s lips pressed into a thin line. “No,” he said firmly.

Maybe his denial sounded too forceful, because he lowered his eyes and added, “I’m here on business too. I didn’t expect to see you here, and I happened to notice someone bothering you.”

1/3

Tess’s eyes lingered on him suspiciously.

After a long moment, she turned away.

“Bothering me?”

Lyra, still reeling from seeing her idol collapse into a shy, nervous figure, bristled immediately

when she heard Finn accuse Lachlan.

“Bothering her? He’s not bothering her–Tess doesn’t even know him! Why is he following

her?”

Finn’s gaze hardened as he looked at Lachlan. His eyes were cold and sharp, like steel.

“It’s none of your business.”

Tess cut him off sharply.

She didn’t believe the world was small enough for this to be a coincidence. Finn just happened to come to Krigan? The Lock Group didn’t even bother with Krigan. Still, her delayed train did play a part in them running into each other.

She didn’t say anything to expose him. Instead, she turned and started walking away.

“Not coming?” she called back.

Lachlan immediately hurried after her, eyes and mind locked on her completely.

Lyra, seeing Tess’s resolute attitude, couldn’t help but give her a thumbs–up, then quickly got into the car behind them.

The three of them left, disappearing from view.

Finn stood where he was, feeling the wind on his face suddenly much colder.

He tightened his hands into fists, eyes narrowing, fixating on the eager young man walking

with them.

“Mr. Lock! Didn’t expect your train to arrive early. I’m so sorry for being late!”

A quiet Maybach pulled up beside him. The driver carefully got out to help Finn with his luggage.

Passing close to him, the driver shivered.

2/3

Even Krigan nights weren’t this cold.

Kingsland.

The city lights gleamed.

“Still not up?” A woman’s voice said, sharp with irritation.

The maid bowed quickly, answering carefully. “Mr. Shaw said yesterday he wanted to adjust his time zone after coming back to the family estate, so he went straight to his room and fell asleep. He hasn’t come down yet–he probably hasn’t fully woken up.”

Abel’s mother, Miranda Shaw, snorted. “He’s not sleeping. He’s just ignoring us.”

The servant bit his lip and stayed silent, bowing lower.

“Mom, Abel is in Aetheris chasing someone. After waiting for so many years, he finally found her. If we call him here out of the blue, anyone would be a little annoyed,” Demi said, stepping forward to hold Miranda’s arm.

Though her words defended Abel, her eyes held a faint, unreadable glint. She lowered her head slightly, masking it.

“Is he still a child? Doesn’t he know who he is?” the woman shouted. “Go

get

him!”

“No need.”

A cold, sharp male voice cut through.

The people downstairs looked up. Abel came down in casual home clothes.

Normally, simple clothes soften a person’s aura—but on him, they only made him look more lazy. The sharp, dangerous air around him hadn’t diminished a bit.

The woman narrowed her eyes. “Abel, you came back yesterday and went straight to sleep. You forgot the family ceremony to see your grandfather?”

He glanced at her lightly. “Grandpa won’t blame me. It’s the same whenever I go.”

Though his face was turned toward Miranda, his eyes flicked briefly toward Demi, scanning her with a mix of caution and warning.

Demi stood behind Miranda, swallowing nervously, her hands curling tightly at her sides.