Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 453

Chapter 453 Legal Action

“Oh, and just so you know, I’ll be taking legal action against all of you as well.”

Tess suddenly smiled.

The second those words left her mouth, the reporters who had been about to leave empty handed froze mid–step, staring at her in shock.

“What?”

“Ms. Ember, what are you implying?!”

Now that the spotlight was on them, unease crept over their faces.

Tess‘ smile remained, but her gaze turned sharp. “Do you really think you’re blameless?”

She folded her arms, her eyes mocking and confident, exuding a natural dominance that made people instinctively yield.

“Who brought you here? Name the one pulling the strings, and maybe I’ll consider sparing you.”

She kept smiling, her demeanor calm and steady.

Max, who had been watching silently from the sidelines, finally sensed something was amiss.

So these reporters hadn’t come by chance… Someone had lured them here to trap him?

A chill slid down Max’s back, his brows casting his eyes in deep shadow.

Someone had the audacity to scheme against him behind his back?

Who could it be?

Cold dread spread through Max’s chest, tightening around him.

Tess picked up on the tension, shot him a sidelong glance, then looked away without concern.

If they started turning against each other, it would save her the effort.

“Uh…”

The reporters hesitated, exchanging wary looks, caught between fear and doubt.

“In that case, I’ll just meet you all in court.”

Tess‘ smile was cool as she waved them off. “I’ve got the footage, so wait for subpoenas from your companies. Be sure to check your inbox.”

As soon as she finished, a pudgy reporter in the back broke first: “It was Nadine!”

Once one cracked, the rest quickly followed.

“Yeah, she said there was a massive story here! She swore we wouldn’t regret it.”

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Chapter 453 Legal Action

“That’s right: Leven saved her texts.”

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One by one, they started shifting blame.

if Nadine hadn’t dragged them into this, they never would’ve shown up, and now they were facing lawsuits.

They hadn’t gotten the scandal she promised; just trouble and regret.

Totally not worth it. Annoyed and bitter, they began venting.

Tess watched their confessions with an cold stare, then glanced at the tiny camera hidden in her watch, arching her brow.

Meanwhile, outside the hotel, Lyra was watching the live feed. She caught Tess‘ direct look and grinned.

“How’s it looking?”

She turned to Raven.

Raven smirked, patting the arm she’d just used to film. “Everything’s recorded.”

Their gazes met. Almost at the same time, they noticed a black car racing off.

They exchanged a knowing smile.

Soon after, people began trickling out of the hotel where Tess had confronted them.

They looked defeated but relieved to escape intact.

“Oh, and even if I could drop the subpoenas, you still caused me headaches. Your companies can deal with the fallout.”

Tess leaned lazily against the doorframe, sending them off with a sly, fox–like grin.

Max remained inside, his eyes never leaving the woman in the doorway.

She leaned against it; she was nothing like the soft Tess he used to know. She was far more magnetic now.

He swallowed hard.

When the room finally settled, Tess turned slowly, her gaze turning frigid.

“Max, tell me. If I hadn’t shown up, what would you have done?”

She crossed her arms, her face blank, void of warmth.

Max looked straight at her and shook his head. “You’d never stay away.”

“Why not?”

For the first time, Tess‘ expression shifted, her brows pulling together, though she still kept her guard up.

Max’s eyes burned with longing, his darkest truths exposed, no longer hidden.

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apter 453 Legal Action

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“Because you know what kind of man I am. Ken was only a warning. I kidnapped him once, I could do it again. You appearing here is the only way to settle this.”

Max spoke with unnerving frankness, shrugging without an ounce of guilt.

Tess laughed, her voice blooming like a crimson flower in snow.

But no one could tell if it was beauty or blood.

“So you were certain I’d come, and you even had the staff drug the drinks beforehand.”

Her words dripped with scorn. “Max, I knew you were rotten, but I never thought you’d sink this low.”