Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 449

hapter 449 Odd Sensation

Tess looked puzzled.

That brief hesitation was all it took to ignite something in Max.

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“Tess, you really misunderstood me. Back then, you pointed the finger at me because I benefited the most a year ago. But I swear, I was innocent.”

“Then, tell me–who was actually guilty?”

Tess fixed Max with a searching stare.

Max met her eyes; he knew she was probing, but he took a breath and said slowly, “Nadine.

Tess’s fingers tightened on her fork.

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” Max showed no hint of lying–calm, almost fatalistic.

He lifted his gaze to hers. “Raven should’ve pulled the surveillance footage by now, right?”

At those words, Tess slammed her fork down on the table.

She looked

up,

sudden and sharp. “What do you mean?”

Max smiled faintly. “The footage from a year ago–if even Finn couldn’t find it, how could you have tracked it down so easily?”

“So you planted that clue on purpose? Why give it to me?”

Tess watched him warily, trying to read whatever scheme he had tucked away.

“Tess, you can relax around me. I want to help you. This isn’t some ploy to win you over–just don’t keep shutting me out.”

Max’s voice was earnest; those warm, moonlit eyes made his words feel like heat on her chest.

But Tess’s skin crawled.

Gross.

If she didn’t already suspect Max had a hand in last year’s mess–if she didn’t suspect he and

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Chapter 449 Odd Sensation

Nadine might both be involved–she could’ve been fooled by this show of feeling.

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“If you say you love me, and you have that surveillance on hand, why let Nadine frame me?”

Tess watched him hard, and sure enough, she saw his expression crack for a split second.

“Tess, I did try. But back then, everyone knew I was close to you, and Finn always resented me. They never gave me a chance to bring proof. I exhausted myself trying to help, and in the end, you still went to prison.”

Regret spread across Max’s face.

Hearing him–watching him–made Tess feel like the world inside her turned over.

Hypocrite.

“You showed up and aren’t touching your food … ” Max said, lowering his eyes; for a beat, he looked mournful, then perked up and added, “If that dish doesn’t suit you, I’ll have them bring a fruit wine.”

He was trying to change the subject.

Tess offered a half–smile but didn’t engage. “Fine. I heard this place has a new cherry wine.”

“I’ll get it.‘”

Max didn’t hesitate; he called a server and specifically asked for a low–alcohol option.

Thoughtful–yet the man in front of her was far from the big brother she’d once known.

Tess turned her gaze out to the lake.

Kenobi Lake Residence–the place was named for the round mirror–like lake outside the window.

Night was coming; the sunset faded, and golden ribbons spread over the water, still glittering.

Tess stared and felt oddly detached.

“Miss, your low–proof cherry wine.”

The drink arrived quickly; Max helped set a straw in the glass and pushed it toward her.

“Try it.”

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Chapter 449 Odd Sensation

Under his eager look, Tess studied the wine.

It was a deep red–she couldn’t help but think of blood.

She frowned; something about the glass set her on edge.

“What’s wrong?”

She hesitated, and Max, concerned, urged, “It’s warm out–drink before it melts.”

Tess hesitated, then took a sip.

The cherry was bold and weirdly intense; the chilled fruit juice was oddly refreshing.

She took another sip, then set it down.

“How is it?”

Max glanced at the glass, then back at her.

“Not bad.”

ឋ យ

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Tess gave a perfunctory answer, grabbed her bag, and stood. “I’ve had my drink. I’ll be going

now.”

Max didn’t stop her; he stayed seated. “Alright.”

Tess rose quickly–maybe she’d sat too long–shadows seemed to blur in front of her for a

moment.

She blinked and the dizziness passed.

She chalked it up to a moment of low blood pressure and walked out briskly.

Halfway to the door, she had to steady herself against the frame.

She rubbed her temple; the room felt oddly tilted.

Her first thought went straight to that glass of cherry wine.

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