Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188 Lines Drawn at Midnight

The moment Tess revealed that, the air seemed to grow still.

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Tess pressed her lips together. It was the first time since leaving prison that she had spoken to Finn without flying into a rage.

Zane’s eyes widened as he took in Tess–alive and unhurt–and couldn’t help but admire her resilience.

But Finn’s gaze stayed locked on her, a pang of fear crossing his heart.

“And then?” he asked, already sensing where she was headed.

“I want to look into it,” Tess said. “Before this, there were already several victims. And he’s arrogant–claims he’s got medical proof of mental illness so no one can touch him.”

Finn’s brow furrowed. After a pause, he let out a short, humorless laugh. “No one can touch him?”

Tess darted her eyes. The next moment, Finn turned his head toward her and asked, “What do you want me to do?”

Awkward, she hadn’t expected him to see through her so easily.

She suspected that murderer had someone powerful backing him. But here in Aetheris, wasn’t the most powerful man standing right in front of her?

“Aren’t you curious who sent him? I want to track him down and find out who that person is.”

“No way!”

Finn’s answer came so sharp and final it cut her off mid–sentence.

His face darkened, voice cold as steel. “I already have people tailing him. If there’s anything, the police will know right away. You’re coming home with me now, and you’re not going to dwell on this.”

Tess pressed her lips together.

He kept his eyes fixed on her, as if the slightest hint of protest would have him throwing her over his shoulder and carry

ing her away.

Defeated, she gave in.

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Chapter 188 Lines Drawn at Midnight

Beneath the starlit night, the two returned to the villa.

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But when they stepped inside, they found someone slumped on the couch, fast asleep from waiting.

Tess flipped on the light–and saw Nadine.

Her brow knitted in irritation, a short, incredulous laugh slipping out.

This late at night, Nadine actually showed up at the villa? She wasn’t naïve enough to think it was out of concern for her.

Without a word, Tess glanced at Finn, then headed straight for the bedroom with Layla in her

arms.

Finn wanted to explain himself, but Tess was already gone, slamming the door behind her.

The loud thud jolted Nadine awake.

She rubbed her eyes and, spotting Finn, jumped to her feet with a bright smile. “Finn, you’re home!”

Then her tone shifted into one of hurtful reproach. “I’ve been waiting forever for you to come home. Where were you? I asked Zane, but I couldn’t find him.”

Her eyes darted, not so subtly, to Tess’s closed door.

Finn swept a glance at her and rubbed his temple. “Who let

you

in?”

Nadine was baffled, surprised that was the first thing he asked.

She let out a forced smile and said, “I couldn’t find you and got worried, so I asked the guard-

“I’ll have tonight’s guard replaced.”

Finn raised a hand, cutting her off. His gaze turned icy, stripping away the last trace of her forced smile. “Without my permission, you don’t come to Evermount Villa.”

“Why?”

The word slipped out in a rush. Realizing how sharp she sounded, Nadine quickly tried to soften it. “Finn, did I do something wrong? Why are you sending me away?”

She reached for his sleeve, but he stepped back, avoiding her touch.

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Chapter 188 Lines Drawn at Midnight

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Her hand froze midair before falling back to her side. She stared at Finn’s cold, unyielding face, then slowly, almost reluctantly, withdrew her hand.

Her expression fell.

“You’re just my employee,” he said flatly. “At most, you’ve gotten a little closer with me because of Tess. But this is my private home. You don’t belong here.”

He adjusted the strap of his watch, his eyes still cold.

“Just

… an employee?” she repeated faintly, her wide, tear–bright eyes fixed on him with a wounded look.

Finn’s brow furrowed in irritation. “What else would you be? Go home. If you can’t get a ride, I’ll have the driver take you.”

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