Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 553

**Keepsake 553**
**The Stranger in the Dorm**

Steven stood there, a look of confusion etched across his face. In a sudden burst of frustration, he hurled the bucket at the man’s feet, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. “I’m broke.”

The man blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of the statement.

“Broke?” he echoed, his brow furrowing in disbelief.

A realization washed over him—Steven’s response was a window into why he had chosen to work at the factory.

Yet, skepticism lingered in the man’s eyes. He scrutinized Steven from head to toe, taking in the details.

Despite the simplicity of his attire, there was an unsettling quality about him—too immaculate, too polished, and too composed for someone engaged in physically demanding labor.

“You part-time?” the man inquired, his tone a mix of curiosity and challenge.

“Full-time,” Steven replied, his voice steady and unwavering.

A rapid exchange of words ensued, punctuated by the sound of zippers as Steven began to unpack his suitcase, methodically organizing his belongings with an almost serene demeanor.

It dawned on the man then.

He had been made a fool.

Scratching his head in bewilderment, he felt anger bubbling beneath the surface, quickly replacing his confusion. He slapped his thigh in frustration and bellowed, “I don’t care what you are—part-time or full-time! This room’s mine! Get out!”

With a resounding bang, the suitcase hit the floor, the sound reverberating in the cramped space.

The irate man glared daggers at Steven, his body coiling with tension as he watched him closely, anticipating a confrontation.

But Steven, unfazed, didn’t even glance in his direction. Instead, he crouched down, continuing to sort through his belongings as if the man’s presence was of no consequence.

“I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?” the man shouted, his voice rising in pitch as he stormed forward, desperation fueling his aggression.

He lunged to grab Steven by the collar, but before he could make contact, Steven sidestepped effortlessly. One hand landed lightly on the man’s shoulder, yet it felt as if a mountain had come crashing down upon him.

The man’s complexion drained of color, his earlier bravado evaporating in an instant, leaving him trembling on unsteady legs.

He would have never guessed that this seemingly calm and gentle figure possessed such incredible strength.

Desperately, the man twisted his shoulder, trying to break free, but the tighter he fought, the more unyielding Steven’s grip became.

A slight smile played on Steven’s lips as he leaned in, his eyes locking onto the man’s. “What’s your name?” he asked, his tone surprisingly calm and pleasant.

But the pain radiating through the man’s arm was a stark reminder that this was no harmless encounter.

“D-Duncan Harold,” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Good, Duncan,” Steven acknowledged with a nod. “Now tell me, have you seen this man before?”

With that, he produced a photograph, holding it delicately between his fingers. It was an image of Nicholas.

Duncan’s brow furrowed in confusion at first, but recognition flickered in his eyes as he connected the face in the picture to a memory.

“Well?”

Steven’s soft hum filled the silence, and Duncan felt a strange detachment from his own arm, as if it were no longer his.

“Y-yes! Yes, I’ve seen him!” he blurted out, panic creeping into his voice.

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