Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 483

Chapter 483: Always the Same

He had never intended to allow Violet to come along.

“I raised my daughter—I gave birth to her,” Kylie snapped, her glare sharp and icy as she faced Violet. Her tone was hard, as if revealing any weakness would be a sign of defeat. “What makes you think some outsider knows my child better than I do?”

“Outsider?” Violet repeated quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, yet the weight behind the word was unmistakable. She immediately caught the flicker of anger flashing in Kylie’s eyes.

A tightness gripped Violet’s chest. The warmth she had felt just moments before vanished, replaced by a cool, controlled reserve.

“You don’t understand Tess at all,” Violet said steadily, lifting her chin with a quiet confidence that cut through the tension in the room—the same sharp edge that had made her a formidable force in the business world. “Even if I’m just an outsider to you, I know her better than you ever will.”

“Kylie,” Violet continued, her voice calm but firm, “don’t you think you’ve failed as a mother?”

A cold smile curled at the corners of Violet’s lips, her eyes reflecting pure disappointment. She had never met the adopted daughter Abel had mentioned before, but deep down, she sensed that Tess was nothing like the version Kylie and Henry portrayed.

That realization only made her more curious.

What kind of parents would belittle their own child like this?

Her mind wandered briefly to the rumored adopted girl, Nadine.

Violet’s words landed like a heavy blow to Kylie’s gut.

“Violet, you have no right to tell me how to raise my daughter!” Kylie snapped, her voice sharp and defensive, her posture tense like a cornered cat ready to strike.

Benjamin and Olivia exchanged tired glances, both rubbing their temples as if trying to soothe their growing frustration.

Same story, different day.

Tess scanned the room, taking in everyone’s reactions. A strange unease settled deep in her chest. The atmosphere felt thick, like a heavy fog had rolled in, clouding everything in confusion and unspoken pain.

Kylie’s hands clenched so tightly that her fingers trembled, and her entire body shook as she unleashed her fury on Violet.

“You haven’t seen Tess in years! You’ve only been with her for, what—two days? And now you think you understand her?” Her voice was laced with bitterness, teeth clenched tight.

Perhaps sensing the deadly intensity, Kylie quickly fell silent.

The room grew still, heavy with a suffocating quiet.

In the end, it was Tess who reached out, gently grabbing Abel’s arm before he could react.

Their eyes met, and the fierce anger in his gaze softened into something almost tender.

“Kylie,” Benjamin said, tapping his cane lightly against the floor, his voice heavy with both authority and disappointment. “You left the Larsons years ago. There’s nothing more to say to you. I came today for Tess. Nadine told us your mind wasn’t well and asked Tess to visit you. Now that I see you for myself, it’s clear she was right.”

Kylie swayed unsteadily, then collapsed into Henry’s arms, her face a mask of disbelief.

From their words, it was obvious—these people had only known Tess for a few days, yet they defended her fiercely. Worse, they openly admitted they were here for Tess. It was Tess who had asked them to come—not Kylie.

“Olivia, Benjamin,” Henry said, stepping forward to hold Kylie tighter. “Kylie’s health has been fragile lately. She’s under immense stress, and it makes her say things she doesn’t truly mean. Tess, as her daughter, you should try to be more understanding.”

His voice was smooth, rehearsed, clearly aimed at calming the storm. But when he glanced sideways at Tess, there was still that cold, commanding air—the unmistakable tone of a father scolding a child.