Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180 Shadows Closing In

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The feeling of being out in the open while her enemies lurked in the dark sent a chill straight through Tess’s heart.

Finn’s halfhearted reaction to her accusations against Nadine was the final straw.

If asking for help got her nowhere, then she’d become the one others turned to.

Her hands curled into clenched fists.

Wanda hesitated, studying the shifting emotions in Tess’s eyes. That flicker of light and shadow made Wanda oddly uneasy.

“Mrs. Lock, working in the supermarket is exhausting,” she said slowly, “but it also means I’m dealing with everyday folks, so the stress isn’t as bad. Let me think it over.”

She carried the weight of reluctance and looked troubled.

Tess didn’t press her. She simply nodded. “Alright. I’ll respect your decision.”

Wanda walked her to the door, watching until Tess’s cab vanished down the street. Then she glanced around cautiously, crouched by the corner of the wall, and dialed a number.

Unaware of what happened with Wanda, Tess moved on to her next stop–Bessie.

“What? That’s basically making me your employee!” Bessie’s eyes widened with surprise. “Like on TV–you’re the big boss, and I run the place!”

Bessie’s eyes widened with delight.

“You could put it that way.

“Then I’m in! Absolutely!”

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11

Bessie agreed right away; she laughed heartily. Her gaze on Tess was full of newfound admiration. “Never thought you were just pretty with a good background–you’ve got guts too!”

Unlike Wanda’s hesitation, Bessie had the kind of fearless loyalty that made her ready to throw herself into the fire for a friend. She was the first to pledge her support.

Tess handed over a neat stack of paperwork she hadn’t been able to deliver.

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15:52 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 180 Shadows Closing In

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“Here are the property deed and the shop’s documents. The address is 267 Sycamore Row,” Tess explained, detailing every step.

Bessie listened intently, nodding as Tess laid out each detail.

Tess pulled out several embroidery designs. “You’ve been in this neighborhood for years, Bessie. You know everyone. I’ll need you to help spread the word.”

Bessie flipped through the sketches, her eyes lighting with surprise. “These are yours?”

“Yes. They were designs I’d shelved–some are incomplete. I’ll finish them soon.”

Her sincerity drew another long, appraising look from Bessie.

She’d already revised her opinion of Tess twice–first when she saw this frail–looking woman working herself to the bone to raise her child, then when she watched her handle humiliation at work with sharp wit.

And now, even someone like Bessie, who felt she was old, found herself catching a little spark of hope.

“Alright,” Bessie said firmly. “I’ll hand in my resignation in a couple of days, then I’ll get the shop fixed up for you.”

Bessie clapped Tess’s shoulder. It was a simple promise, but the warmth and loyalty in her voice stirred something deep in Tess.

Tess couldn’t help but chuckle, but her heart swelled with warmth.

In Aetheris, she’d always been alone.

Married to Finn, yet never cherished.

She had built a stellar career at Lock Group, only to lose it all to a storm she never saw coming.

And now, after all these years, she realized that aside from Layla, she had no one–until she met these openhearted friends while sweeping streets for a day’s pay.

Her chest felt heavy.

“I won’t be able to stay long,” Tess said. “I’ll send you the shop layout for the renovations.”

“Even better!” Bessie grinned. “I hate the brainy stuff.”

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Chapter 180 Shadows Closing In

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After a few more words, Tess left. By the time her cab pulled up to Evermount Villa, the sun was dipping low,

She stepped onto the curb, and another taxi rolled to a stop right in front of her.

The window slid down. “Need a ride, miss?” The driver called.

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