Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 442

Chapter 442 At Home

Bessie must have been exhausted from caring for Layla all these days.

She did not protest. She rose gently, her steps light, and slipped out of the room. The door clicked shut behind her.

The room now belonged only to Tess and the baby.

The curtains by the window hung half–drawn. A stream of moonlight spilled through, brushing over Layla’s tiny face as she slept.

Her cheeks were plump and soft, her breathing steady, her sleep deep and sweet.

Tess felt her chest grow calm, as if something warm and steady had filled her heart.

She leaned down and pressed a kiss to her child’s forehead. Then she pulled her tired body toward the bed.

The night moved on.

Far away, Finn drove fast through the dark. Dust clung to him from his long journey. By the time the sky neared dawn, he stopped. His thoughts wavered between Evermount Villa and the Lock Group headquarters. His hands tightened on the wheel before he chose the company.

Without her, the villa was nothing but a hollow, lifeless shell. He could not stand the emptiness inside.

When he reached the building, his body froze. A shadow crouched at the gate.

His boots struck the pavement, each step sharp and loud in the still air. The figure straightened. Moonlight cut across his face.

“Max?”

Finn stopped in place. His eyes narrowed, locked on him.

The stench of liquor clung to Max. His frame swayed as if the ground itself shifted beneath him.

His head lifted, and his hazy eyes glimmered red with hate that spread like fire.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Finn’s voice carried sharp warning. His spine was straight, his body tense like a drawn blade.

Max acted as though he did not hear him. His jaw clenched. His words dripped with venom. “Why…”

His voice cracked into rage.

“Why even after the divorce she still refuses to look at me?”

He burst forward like a madman. His hand clutched Finn’s collar. His eyes were bloodshot, scarlet veins spreading like branches through the whites.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

Finn’s boot slammed into his chest.

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5:37 pm

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Chapter 442 At Home

The blow was swift and brutal, clean as lightning splitting the sky.

The crack of bone echoed out. Max flew back, his body smacking the ground.

Pain ripped through his limbs, but hatred and envy only grew darker inside him.

He clawed at the ground, fighting to rise. His body betrayed him, dropping him back in defeat.

“You went to her, didn’t you?”

Finn crouched low, seizing his collar again. His eyes were cold as stone.

“What business is it of yours? You two are divorced.”

Max lifted his head. A jagged laugh tore out of him. His smile twisted until his whole frame shook with madness.

Finn towered above him, jaw clenched, his tall body casting a shadow that swallowed Max.

Blood thundered through Max’s veins, loud and violent.

Why?

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He thought of everything he had built. Hunt Group still sank under Lock Group’s weight. Finn had sent Tess to prison, yet she still spoke to him. To Max, she offered nothing but cruel rejection.

His chest burned. Am I lesser than him?

“I am no less than you!”

His voice was hoarse, raw like a ghost clawing out of the grave.

Finn’s reply was sharp as ice. “You lost because you are vile. One year ago, the scheme that destroyed her carried your mark. Tess and I will never let you go free.”

His eyes were blades that cut deep.

The words struck Max like a blow. His head snapped up.

“How do you know… what makes you say that?”

Finn gave a cold laugh. The air froze still around them.

“You gained the most out of the event that year. I trust Tess. That leaves me no choice but to suspect you.” Finn’s gaze locked on Max, cold as unmelted ice.

Max stared at him, then broke into a laugh that spiraled into madness.

“You believe her?”

His shoulders shook as he laughed.

His body bent forward, his head pressed down as the sound ripped through him.

Finn’s brows pulled tight as he watched the display.

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5:38 pm D

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Chapter 442 At Home

Max’s laughter faded, his voice thinning to a ghostly whisper.

“Finn, you think you can uncover the truth from that year? If you had the power, you would have shown the proof the very first time you stood before the press claiming you would help her.”

Finn’s fists clenched hard. His voice lashed out.

“So it really was you.”

Max’s body jolted. His teeth ground hard as he glared up. “You tricked me into saying it?”

Finn’s fury snapped loose. He yanked him up by the collar, dragging his face close. His voice thundered through the night. “Max, all for your selfish hunger, you forced Tess to walk into prison while carrying your child?”