Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 497

**Keepsake 497**
**Chapter 497: Shannon is Pregnant**

Tess offered Tania a reassuring nod, accompanied by a warm smile that seemed to melt away the tension lingering in the air. It was a small gesture, yet it worked wonders to soothe Tania’s frayed nerves.

“Alright then, just fire away with your questions. I promise, as long as I know the answer, I’ll share everything with you,” Tess said, her voice steady and inviting.

Tania placed her hand over her chest, a gesture of emphasis that spoke volumes of her determination. “Why did the Embers suddenly decide to send Nadine to make peace with me?”

Tess didn’t waste time with pleasantries; she dove straight into the heart of the matter.

At first, Tania appeared somewhat bewildered, her brow furrowing in thought.

“I’m not really sure about that. My job usually revolves around cleaning the apartment, and they never bothered to conceal their discussions from me. But I did overhear something about a significant plan—something involving the Larsons and a chance to make a lot of money,” she replied, scratching her head in contemplation.

A significant plan… Making a lot of money… And the Larsons are involved?

The implications of Tania’s words began to swirl in Tess’s mind, and she felt a frown forming on her lips as her expression turned grave.

From the very beginning, I suspected that Henry and Nadine’s peculiar actions were somehow aimed at the Larsons. But what could they possibly do that would have any real impact on them?

Questions raced through Tess’s mind like a relentless storm, each one more perplexing than the last, leaving her feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

Forcing herself to set aside her swirling doubts, Tess turned her focus back to Tania, eager for her next inquiry. “Which hospital is Nadine at now?”

This question seemed to lighten the mood for Tania, who responded without hesitation. “Aetheris Memorial Hospital.”

Tess narrowed her eyes slightly, mentally noting the information.

She had orchestrated Nadine’s exposure of Max, ensuring that the truth would drive a wedge between them for good. However, she hadn’t anticipated that Max Hunt’s retaliation would be so swift.

Nadine had barely finished unveiling him before she found herself in a hospital bed.

Now that Tess was back with the Embers and Nadine was in distress, it was only logical that she would pay her a visit.

Tess weighed her options for the next question, feeling a twinge of hesitation creeping in.

I could probably unravel most of this on my own. And if it’s something deeper, Henry and Shannon would certainly keep it hidden from someone like Tania. They’re not naive.

“Is Shannon pregnant?”

Just as Tess posed the question, Finn’s voice cut through the air, steady and low.

Tania, who had felt at ease while speaking with Tess, now shifted in her seat, her unease palpable as she faced Finn.

Tess frowned, glancing at Finn. He appeared unruffled, his demeanor calm and composed, while Zane rummaged through a folder he had discreetly pulled from behind him.

Her thoughts drifted to everything Henry had coerced Nadine into doing lately.

Tess narrowed her eyes once more, a sense of realization dawning upon her.

It seems Nadine was likely discarded by them long ago. She was merely a pawn, tossed aside when no longer useful.

“Alright, I understand,” Tess finally said, giving Tania a gentle nod while noticing her gaze wander to the untouched dishes on the table.

With a wave, she summoned a server to package the food, smiling warmly as she turned back to Tania. “I heard your son is currently at Aetheris Primal Hospital? Was it Henry who arranged for his admission?”

After posing the question, she glanced at Finn, adding, “Mr. Lock, I’m having this food packed up for her. I hope you don’t mind. Dinner’s on me.”

Upon hearing that she intended to cover the bill, Finn’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of displeasure crossing his face.

“Go ahead. I already had Zane settle the bill,” he replied, his tone neutral but firm.

Tess nodded, a grin breaking across her features. “Mr. Lock, you truly are a gentleman.”

“Please pack all of this for her to take home,” she instructed the server, who readily agreed.

Just as a glimmer of joy illuminated Tania’s face at the thought of taking the food home, Tess’s final question caused her to freeze in place, the atmosphere thickening with unspoken tension.