Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177 Shadows of Doubt

Chapter 177 Shadows of Doubt

Finn’s gaze darkened as he stepped forward and took her phone from her.

One glance was enough–he knew Tess had found out everything.

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“I’ve already sent people to handle it. Every photo of Layla will be destroyed,” he said, turning the phone face–down and setting it on the nearby cabinet.

“Do you know who did it?”

Tess finally lifted her head. Her voice was hoarse and had an icy undertone.

He hesitated at her reaction, worry flashing across his face before he shook his head. “Not yet.”

“Then look into Nadine and Sydney.”

Her eyes locked onto his, as if waiting to see how he’d respond.

“Nadine?”

His brow furrowed in confusion, but one look into her gloomy eyes stopped him from saying anything back.

“I’ve already asked Zane to look into it. You just focus on resting.”

In her ears, it sounded like he was defending Nadine.

Tess gave a cold, mocking smile and leaned back.

Her shoulders sank into the pillow, making her appear even more fragile.

But when she turned her head, her tense expression tightened into something resolute.

“Tess … ” Finn frowned, feeling uneasy by her refusal to meet him halfway; he was frustrated.

“My gown was custom–made. No brand tag. And yet the internet is exploding with claims that I wore a knockoff Cavrielle dress. That’s no coincidence. The only way anyone could know is if they saw the gown’s box at the villa. Sydney passed by my bedroom door. Naturally, she and Nadine are my first suspects.”

She paused, voice cool and calm. “And now, right after that scandal, Layla’s pictures are all over the media. Too convenient, don’t you think?”

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15:51 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 177 Shadows of Doubt

Tess closed her eyes, her voice calm yet strikingly clear.

Each word was measured, every sentence made sense.

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Finn froze for a moment. When he looked up again, all he could see was her pale face, eyes

still shut.

She was like an orchid with its stem snapped–still noble, still resilient, but worn thin by too many storms.

His fingers twitched, his supposedly cold heart pulling tight.

Some part of him wanted to cross the space between them, to pull her into his arms, to promise he’d make it all go away, that she had nothing to worry about.

But the distance between them felt like a gulf too wide to cross.

Lowering his gaze, he tucked his hands back at his sides.

“I’ll look into it. Just focus on getting better,” he said, his tone gentler than he intended.

Tess didn’t answer.

Whether she couldn’t hear him or wouldn’t, her eyes stayed closed.

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face. Staying would change nothing.

“If you need anything, have the nurse call me,” he said, and left.

The door clicked shut. Tess opened her eyes, full of mixed emotions.

She stared at the closed door and let out a long, shaky breath.

Even the air in front of her felt misty.

Pushing herself up, she grabbed her phone and dialed. “The gown you gave me–it doesn’t have any brand tags, right?”

She had to double–check.

On the other end of the line, there was the sound of someone crunching noisily on a snack. “Of course not,” came the breezy reply. “It’s a private commission. My name carries more weight than any label out there—why would I put a label on it and ruin my design?”

The words were bold, but Tess knew the designer had the reputation to back them up.

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15:52 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 177 Shadows of Doubt

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