Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79 The Game He Plays

Max reached out his fingers and pinched the little girl’s soft, squishy cheek.

It was as soft as cotton candy–except it rubbed him the wrong way.

“Finn’s kid… looks just like him.”

Max’s voice drifted into the air like mist–light, almost inaudible, but chilling in a way that made the skin crawl.

Layla had always been sweet and well–behaved, never shy around strangers. But right now, she was visibly restless.

Smack!

The slap echoed through the room, so loud it could’ve sliced through silence like a knife.

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The secretary stiffened, heart jumping into his throat, eyes wide in disbelief at the fearless baby who had just struck out.

Max frowned and looked down at Layla. Her tiny hand had smacked his arm–not hard, not enough to leave a mark.

But still, she had done it.

He found himself smiling. Curiously, he studied her big round eyes, blue as the lake.

Leaning closer, he grinned at her. “Got your mom’s temper, huh?”

Layla didn’t understand what he said, but her instincts screamed at her to back away. She crinkled her nose and pouted, a clear sign of disgust–even if it looked more adorable than threatening.

Max wasn’t irritated, though. On the contrary, the resemblance between her and Tess intrigued him. He suddenly became more patient.

“What if it hadn’t been me this time?” he mused, propping his head up with one hand. “What if it had been a real kidnapper What would Tess have done then?”

The secretary replied without hesitation. “Miss Layla could’ve been hurt or worse.”

Max’s brow furrowed in mock concern. “Exactly. Just the two of them out there in the world—it’s dangerous. Wouldn’t it be safer for them to stay with me?”

The assistant said respectfully, “we’ve reached out to Ms. Ember. She should be responding soon.”

Max absentmindedly held Layla’s little hand to stop her from fidgeting. “Tell her I found Layla. She should come pick her up.”

“But wouldnt Ms. Ember find that a little suspicious?”

The secretary scratched his head, clearly uncertain.

Her child was kidnapped late at night, only to be rescued by Mr. Hunt himself?

The coincidence was impossible to ignore

“Of course she will Max replied, raising his eyes with a smile that didn’t reach them.

Tess was smart–he knew that She’d put the pieces together.

But

“the secretary hesitated, confused.

Just do it

Max lowered his gaze, hiding the gleam in his eyes.

Tess wasn’t going to believe some fairy tale about him just happening to find Layla. But she’d also realize he had the power to take the child in front of her if he wanted if he truly meant harm, nothing could’ve stopped him

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The sting was the only thing keeping her from passing out from rage,

“What does he want from me?!”

A polite voice came through the phone. “Ms. Ember, please don’t misunderstand Mr. Hunt. He merely assisted in recovering your daughter. If you have a moment, you may come pick her up at the Hunt Group headquarters.”

Tess’s eyes burned red with fury, the sheer absurdity of it all making her let out a bitter, teeth–clenched laugh. “Do you really take me for a fool?”

She and Layla had nearly been kidnapped from a hotel, and somehow Max–who had been at his office–was the one to save

Layla

There was only one explanation: Max had staged the whole thing.

Tess had had enough. She shouted into the phone, her patience gone, “Where’s Max? Put him on!”

The secretary flinched, his polished demeanor cracking as he looked to Max for help.

Tess had exploded, but Max didn’t seem angry. He actually looked satisfied, eyes narrowing in pleasure.

He reached for dar phone When he spoke, his voice was rich and slow, like a cello. “Tess, Layla’s perfectly safe here.”

“She’s not safe with you? Iess’s voice shook “Max, I don’t care what kind of mess is between us. back

She tried to keep calm, but the tremor in her voice gave her away–she was terrified.

Just give me my daughter

Max’s eyes darkened, but his voice turned gepile–coaxing almost tender. “How could she not be safe? If it weren’t for me. she would we been taken. Tess, you’re out there alone, struggling to protect a child through all that danger. Come to me. I’l have a full security team watching over you, day and night. Layla will have everything–a beautiful home, top–tier education, and a peaceful life. She’ll grow up happy. Isn’t that what you want?”

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