Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 484

Chapter 484: Heartless

Tess felt a sharp pang of bitter irony twist deep within her chest as she listened to Henry’s self-righteous rambling. His words, dripping with false concern, grated on her nerves.

“Your mother’s attitude toward you didn’t come out of nowhere,” Henry declared, his tone heavy with supposed wisdom. “Since you’re here visiting us today, I want you to understand something. You were too rebellious before. I’ve been busy with work all these years, but now I finally have the chance to set things right. Everything I say is for your own good. You’re still part of this family.”

He lifted his chin, as if delivering a grand, solemn speech to an audience eager for his approval.

Tess almost burst out laughing. The arrogance! Did he truly believe he could just undo everything whenever it suited him, as if the entire world revolved around his whims?

“Henry,” Kylie interrupted sharply, her voice laced with a cold sneer, “look at how arrogant she is. Now that she has the Larsons backing her, she doesn’t even care about staying in our family.”

Tess’s eyes narrowed, a sly smile creeping onto her lips like a cat pretending to be obedient while plotting mischief. “Of course I’ll stay. Why wouldn’t I?” she said smoothly. “You just said it yourself—I carry the Embers’ blood. I’m part of the Embers, too.”

Kylie stiffened, caught off guard. She knew Tess’s fiery temper well and hadn’t expected her to accept Henry’s words with such calm defiance.

Henry’s eyebrows twitched, then he laughed, slipping effortlessly into the role of the gracious father. “Good. A child who recognizes her mistakes and corrects them is a good child. Let’s forget the unpleasantness from just now. Come inside, everyone.”

He pushed the door open, putting on the warm host act.

Kylie hesitated, her hands pressing tightly against Henry’s waist. He gave a slightly awkward smile, patted the back of her hand, and whispered something in her ear. Only then did she release her grip.

Once inside, Tess strode past Kylie without a glance. Kylie let out another cold snort of disdain.

Tess ignored her completely, but Abel was harder to dismiss. He mirrored Tess’s expression, though his smile held a chilling edge that made others uneasy.

“Mrs. Ember,” he said with a sideways glance as he gripped Tess’s arm, “if you don’t know how to treat guests, maybe you should go take care of Nadine instead.”

Kylie’s body trembled with fury. They had hurt Nadine, and now they had the audacity to act all high and mighty in front of her—using Nadine as a weapon to strike at Tess.

Tess moved into the living room. Only after Kylie was out of sight did she lightly tap Abel’s arm. “You’re so mean. Aren’t you afraid she’ll lose it and come after you?”

Her tone was teasing, but there was a spark of genuine amusement beneath it.

Abel chuckled, though the lightness didn’t reach his eyes.

Henry had hurried off to the living room to prepare snacks. Kylie lingered at the doorway.

Violet took a closer look at her.

Kylie was dressed in an outdated designer gown—one that had fallen out of fashion at least five years ago.

“No,” Violet said firmly, shaking her head. “Kylie, we came for you. But not anymore.”

Kylie blinked, startled by the sudden change in tone.

Violet’s voice was calm but carried undeniable weight. “From the moment the wedding dress arrived at the Larsons, we started searching for you. We wanted to see how you were doing. Along the way, we discovered what’s been happening with the Embers. Kylie, this is all on you…”

“You don’t know anything!” Kylie snapped angrily, cutting her off.

Violet opened her mouth to respond but stopped herself.

“Let me give you one last piece of advice,” Violet said, the last flicker of concern vanishing from her face, replaced by a cold, merciless glare. “Keep favoring that adopted daughter and blindly trusting Henry, and when the backlash comes, no one will be there to save you.”