Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 479

Chapter 479: Something’s Up

The moment Abel spoke, Tess’s lips twitched involuntarily. She quickly glanced at him, catching the mischievous sparkle in his eyes. “When did this even happen?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

Abel raised a single eyebrow, his lips curling into a knowing smile but offering no words. Tess’s mind raced, and she took a quick guess. “Don’t tell me… it was while we were leaving the office?”

“Bingo,” he replied with a quiet chuckle.

The traffic light switched to red, and Abel casually snapped his fingers in a playful gesture. Tess couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, amused by the absurdity of the situation.

Deep down, she understood that Nadine was probably using this incident as an excuse to pull her back into the Embers’ sphere. And Max—who was taking the fall this time—must have truly riled someone up.

“Is she seriously hurt?” Tess asked, her tone turning grave.

“Almost dead,” Abel said flatly, his voice dripping with indifference when mentioning Nadine.

Those two words made Tess’s brow furrow repeatedly. Almost dead. The phrase echoed ominously in her mind.

Max was ruthless, a man who never held back. If Nadine was caught in his crossfire, it meant she had taken the brunt of his wrath this time. The more Tess pondered it, the deeper her frown grew.

There had to be some unspoken agreement between Nadine and Max—whether recent or longstanding. She knew Max was dangerous, like a venomous snake that never forgave until revenge was served cold. Yet, despite that knowledge, Nadine had pushed him forward without hesitation, letting him shoulder the blame.

Tess narrowed her eyes in thought. The only conclusion she could draw was that whatever Nadine sought was far more important than the peril of crossing Max.

She mulled over it, but the reasons eluded her.

Abel noticed the tension settling over her face. He hated seeing Tess so troubled and usually did whatever he could to ease her worries. But this time, despite knowing a bit of the situation, he held back from offering false comfort. Instead, he simply gave her a soft, reassuring glance.

At that moment, his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, catching the knowing looks exchanged between the two elders and Violet sitting quietly behind them. Whatever was unfolding, they would all find out soon enough—perhaps even a surprise for Tess.

Though she never voiced it, Abel understood that Tess longed for a genuine family, especially now that she had a child. Kylie’s blind loyalty to outsiders made her unworthy of that title. Thankfully, the Larsons still held onto some semblance of reason.

“Ms. Tess, please step out of the car,” the assistant’s voice broke the silence.

He had been leading the way, halted his vehicle, and now approached Abel’s window with a slight bow, showing extra respect.

Only then did the assistant dare to meet her gaze—her face marked by time but still strikingly beautiful.

Henry had not issued any orders concerning them.

“Uh… maybe I should check?” the assistant stammered.

Tess removed her sunglasses, revealing most of her face. She lifted her chin slightly, radiating a cold, sharp aura. “If they’re not allowed inside, then I won’t be going in either.”

The assistant immediately recalled Henry’s repeated commands: “No matter what, you have to bring Tess to me.”

He hesitated, glancing at the group—an elderly man, an elderly woman, and a middle-aged woman. Surely, they wouldn’t cause any trouble.

“Alright, please come this way,” he finally relented, opening the gate.

Raven’s fury was palpable; she was nearly losing control, ready to tear down the gates of Ember Villa itself.

“Just rest for now,” Lachlan’s calm, steady voice cut through the tension. “If anything happens and we need to get inside, no door will stop us.”