Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 460

“Forget everything else for now. Why are you even here?”

Tess crossed her arms and tapped her elbow absentmindedly.

Nadine’s eyes brightened at the question. She rushed to explain, “I came to clear up this misunderstanding. Don’t let it fool you. I also wanted to make peace with you. Mom has been living alone since she and Dad split. She’s lonely and truly misses you.”

Her eyes were full of fake sincerity. Anyone who didn’t know the real story might feel touched.

“Tess, come home. Whatever Dad and Mom said before, it was just anger. They’d never turn their backs on you. Since you left, Mom realized how much you mean to her. Everyone regrets what happened.”

Nadine spoke slowly, trying to sound heartfelt.

Tess wasn’t buying it. Her heart stayed cold.

“Yeah, Ms. Tess. People do stuff they don’t mean when they’re stressed. I’m sure Ms. Nadine was just trying to help at that time.”

Suddenly, a voice came from the crowd.

Tess looked around instinctively, but there were too many people to spot who said it.

“And from what Ms. Nadine said, your parents do seem kind of pitiful. The company is struggling, and you’ve cut ties with them. Now there’s all this drama between the adopted daughter and the real one. Rumors are everywhere. No one is having a good

moment.

“Ms. Tess, parents always care about their kids. Every family has their own ways of doing things, but their love doesn’t change. Maybe favoring Ms. Nadine hurt your feelings, but you’re grown now. You should understand that your parents have to take care of the people who have helped them to avoid criticism.”

Once one person spoke, a bunch of others jumped in, offering their so–called advice.

Tess looked around. Seeing their fake concern, she thought it was all a joke.

She even wondered if those people’s brains were replaceable–just swap them out now and then. Not long ago, everyone had been obsessed with her drama with the Embers. Now, the same people were acting all moral and preaching to her.

She looked back at Nadine.

“So, are you saying you brought all those reporters into my room just to ‘rescue‘ me?”

Tess squinted, a faint smirk on her lips.

Nadine shivered, seeing the cold glint in Tess‘ eyes.

She knew her excuse was weak. But since it was Henry’s idea, she nodded reluctantly. “Yeah… that’s right.”

Tess laughed out loud, even clapping at Nadine. “Nice.”

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παρισι του

HICH

Nadine frowned, clenching her hands at her sides, unsure what Tess was planning.

Then, Tess‘ voice cut through, cool and sharp.

“So when you thought I was in danger, your first move wasn’t to call the police but the reporters?”

She repeated Nadine’s ridiculous excuse, dripping with sarcasm.

The crowd, who had been a little touched before, froze.

That was true. If Nadine wanted to help, why call reporters instead of the police?

it of the police showed up, you and Mr. Hunt would have had to give statements. If people saw that, it’d be tricky to explain,”

adine stammered, her face pale.

Tess tilted her head. “Since when is giving a statement shameful? If someone did something wrong, shouldn’t they be the ones worried?”

She lifted her chin, cold and steady. “Max isn’t scared, so why should I be?”

“I…” Nadine bit her lip harder.

“Say it!” Tess shot Nadine a sharp look. “You brought all those reporters hoping to catch me and Max in scandalous photos, didn’t you?”

“No! No way! Tess, how could you think that?!” Nadine panicked, waving her hands.

Tess just smiled faintly, eyes cool and indifferent, ignoring Nadine’s theatrics.

“If there’s nothing to hide, there’s nothing to be scared of. Ms. Nadine said Ms. Tess was framed by Mr. Hunt. Wouldn’t it make more sense to call the police? Having them back up her innocence would be way more convincing.”

A tiny voice spoke from somewhere in the crowd.

This time, Tess noticed the speaker. It was Ken, wearing a hat, tucked away in a corner.

She raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. At the same time, a warm feeling spread through her chest.