Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178 Under the Spotlight

Chapter 178 Under the Spotlight.

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“Mr. Lock! Is the child yours? If so, why have you kept it a secret? If not, do you know who the biological father is? Will you still raise this illegitimate child?”

The questions were sharp and painful, with cach one intended to inflict emotional harm. The first floor of Lock Tower was crowded, full of people eager for the latest drama. Naturally, they had already heard the rumors burning up the internet these past few days, and now they were all quietly eavesdropping.

“Illegitimate child?” Finn’s voice cut through the noise, calm but biting. “Show me one credible report that states the child you’re referring to is illegitimate. As journalists, sloppy reporting is a serious offense.”

The second reporter froze, his words faltering.

Employees who overheard enough to catch the gist found themselves silently sweating for the reporters.

Chasing headlines was one thing, but to speak to Mr. Lock like that? It was reckless beyond measure. Did they really not understand who they were baiting?

When Mr. Lock sneezed, half the market caught a cold.

Poking him in public was asking for trouble.

Shoulders hunched, employees hurried on, pretending they’d seen nothing.

Finn’s gaze

turned icy. “My company has a dedicated legal team. When you receive the letter of liability from my attorneys, don’t blame me for your lapse in judgment today.”

The effect was instant. The lobby fell silent.

“Finn!”

A lilting, melodious voice from a woman broke through from behind.

Finn turned. Nadine jogged up, looping her arm through his with a show of easy affection. “Zane told me a crowd of reporters got into the lobby. I didn’t expect they’d actually block you.”

Unlike the gentle tone he’d shown her days ago, Finn met her concern with pressed lips and eyes devoid of warmth.

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Chapter 178 Under the Spotlight

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Nadine’s next words caught in her throat. Her gaze flickered, then she forced a smile. “Finn, what’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

He looked away, forcing down the words Tess had thrown at him not long ago.

“Everyone,” Finn said evenly, “this is a public space. Please stop monopolizing it and creating disruption.”

Her heart thudded for no reason she could name.

She shifted her focus to the reporters, straightening her back and adopting the bearing of a chief legal counsel.

But to Finn, every mannerism of hers inevitably drew a comparison to the frail figure lying in that hospital bed.

Tess might have looked delicate, yet the determination in her bright eyes spoke of strength.

Finn’s eyes flickered slightly, startled by his thoughts.

Subconsciously, he’d been comparing Nadine to Tess–and Tess was winning.

Another voice rang out, “Ms. Nadine, the rumors about your sister’s illegitimate daughter are everywhere online. Surely you knew? Will you give the public–especially Lock Group’s supporters—an explanation?”

Scowling, Finn immediately sensed something was amiss.

group, where

His shadowed, predatory gaze swept over the crowd of reporters, none of whom dared meet his eyes. Then his attention narrowed, honing in on a lower corner of the something–or someone–had drawn his notice.

“I’m as surprised as anyone,” Nadine said firmly. “But the child is Tess’s, and we will still fulfill our responsibility to raise her.”

That statement froze the crowd for a beat–then set off an even bigger frenzy. “So you’re confirming the rumors? That the child isn’t Mr. Lock? That she is an illegitimate child?”

The question sent a surge of excitement through them, eyes gleaming like predators scenting blood.

Nadine’s face paled.

Panic flickered through her expression, and though she fought to keep her composure, the fine sheen of sweat on her brow betrayed her.

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Chapter 178 Under the Spotlight

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But when her eyes met his, she found no comfort–only the steady, fathomless chill of the sea

in a storm.

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