Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 489

Chapter 489 Forever Gone

Benjamin shot him a sharp, disapproving glance before turning away, clearly disgusted.

“No need,” he said curtly.

He was the first to rise from his seat.

When Henry casually mentioned having drinks, Olivia’s eyes flicked toward her cup of tea, which she had barely touched. She glanced around the so-called “villa” of the Embers. The place was nothing more than plain, cheap, and utterly ordinary.

The tea—if it could even be called that—tasted like leftover dirty water from the day before.

She had once heard that the Embers were respected entrepreneurs in both Aetheris and Krigan, but now, it was painfully obvious that their glory days were long behind them.

“We came here today to check on Kylie,” Olivia said firmly. “Even though she left the Larsons, we have never completely cut ties. The Larsons are far from dead.”

She straightened her posture and shot Henry a sharp, warning look from the corner of her eye, her tone heavy with unspoken threats.

Henry caught the underlying menace in her words, feeling a cold sweat trickle down his spine. He forced a laugh to cover his unease. “As long as I’m with Kylie, you can rest easy.”

Violet appeared shortly after, but before stepping outside, she turned back for one last reminder. “Don’t forget to call the media.”

Henry froze for a moment, realizing that Violet was subtly instructing him to manage the narrative for Tess.

Since Shannon’s funeral, he had worked tirelessly to come up with excuses for Kylie. Now, with the Larsons stepping in, all that effort risked being undone.

“Of course!” Henry replied quickly, lifting his chin defiantly.

So what? He thought. I’ll just find another way to strike back at Tess. If the Larsons want to name her as heir, then I’ll keep playing the role of the caring father.

Violet studied him for a moment longer before finally turning away.

—

This time, Henry had even arranged for servants to assist Benjamin and Olivia as they exited, while Abel and Tess walked freely at the front.

“He said he’d handle the media for you. Do you actually believe him?” Abel asked lazily, raising one eyebrow as his gaze never left Tess.

Tess kept her eyes forward, calm and detached.

“I believe him,” she replied, a faint, knowing smile curving her lips. “Trying to please the Larsons will get him much further than going against me.”

Her laugh was soft and delicate, like a gentle chime floating through the air.

Abel’s gaze deepened as he stared at her, completely captivated, refusing to look away.

“Tess,” a voice called from behind—it was Olivia, hurrying to catch up.

Both Abel and Tess turned toward her.

“Mom, you’re not young anymore,” Violet said gently, pained to see Olivia so lost. “At Aunt Gillian’s age, it was bound to happen.”

She rubbed Olivia’s back soothingly, offering what comfort she could.

Olivia swayed but caught herself by gripping Tess’s arm.

Her gray hair fell forward, hiding her expression, but the despair radiating from her was unmistakable.

Benjamin’s heart ached as he watched. He reached out as if to offer support but pulled back, instead giving Tess a look that silently begged, Help her.

Tess understood immediately. No words were needed.

She gently took Olivia’s hand, stroking her fingers with quiet tenderness. “Olivia, if you’d like, once I finish some things, maybe I could invite you to Krigan. We could visit Grandma’s grave together.”

Olivia slowly lifted her head. Tess’s eyes were sincere, filled with a quiet strength that comforted her.

She nodded, squeezing Tess’s hand. A sharp sting rose in her nose, and she blinked quickly to hold back tears.

“Good girl,” Olivia said softly, patting Tess’s hand before turning to Violet. “You’re right. She’s gone. I shouldn’t carry more grief than I have to.”

She sighed deeply.

“Tess, now that you know who we are, you don’t have to be so formal. It sounds too distant.”