Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 194

Chapter 194 Temporary Fix

Chapter 194 Temporary Fix

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The woman who first threw accusations was glaring at the phone, still stuck on an unfinished call, her cheeks hot with a mix of rage and irritation. In one quick motion, she tossed it down onto the bed. “What a bunch of useless idiots who can’t do anything right!”

The next morning came in a blur. Tess still hadn’t gotten a single update from Marc. Instead, the first news she heard was about the group that had kidnapped her.

Zane was already waiting outside the door.

Even though everyone now knew about Layla and there was no point hiding her anymore, Tess had been in serious danger only two days earlier. To keep her daughter safe, she’d left Layla at the villa with the nanny.

They started walking, talking as they went.

“Mrs. Lock, you gotta be extra cautious right now. From what we learned yesterday and from the people we questioned, it looks like someone actually put a hit on you.”

Tess’s stomach dropped. “A hit on me?”

Her eyes went wide, and a cold shiver slid up her back.

Zane’s nod was slow and firm, his face set. “That’s the only thing that makes sense. We’re still digging to find who’s behind it, but honestly… we might never know.”

Her mood sank lower. Even Finn’s right–hand man thinks the trail is hopeless. Who could possibly be after me?

“But don’t stress too much,” Zane added quickly. “Even if we can’t trace the mastermind, you’ll have top–tier bodyguards with you. And Mr. Lock already sent a team to go after the criminals‘ main base.”

He spoke steadily and sure, as if he was telling her everything was under control.

Hearing that, Tess tried to push the tension out of her shoulders.

“How’s Finn handling the mess online?” she asked.

The kidnapping could wait; what really pressed on her was Layla.

She never thought people could get so`shameless for clicks. It was one thing for strangers to insult her, but dragging Layla’s family background into it?

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Chapter 194 Temporary Fix

Her anger had been simmering nonstop, and for someone usually calm, it showed.

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Zane’s expression turned uneasy. “Since you’d rather not talk about Miss Layla’s birth, all we can do is use Lock Group’s pull to quiet things down.”

Seeing her frown deepen, he added fast, “With the company involved, the Aetheris press won’t dare make trouble. It’s not a permanent solution, but it’ll shield you and Miss Layla for now.”

Tess bit her lip, her eyes flickering with a fight she couldn’t hide.

Keeping Layla’s birth a secret meant people would keep guessing, keep throwing nasty, baseless claims.

But if it got out that Layla was Finn’s daughter, Finn would never agree to let her go.

She swallowed hard, holding back her words she wanted to say.

Her fists clenched tight, frustration heavy in her chest.

Finn’s influence had just crushed the tabloids and cut the rumors off at the source.

She wanted nothing more than to walk away from him, yet he’d been the one to save her from the kidnapping and the one who shielded Layla online. Against that, how could she call herself a good mother?

It was like her lungs were in a vise.

She lowered her gaze, her voice soft enough for the breeze to carry away. “Alright. Go take care of it.”

Zane caught the shadow in her eyes and guessed she wasn’t happy about the temporary fix. But there was nothing better they could do.

He didn’t say another word and headed back to Lock Group.

The hum of the car faded down the road.

Only then did Tess lift her head, determination burning clear in her

eyes.

If she was choosing to keep Layla’s identity under wraps, then raising and protecting her was on Tess alone. Once the divorce came through, she couldn’t lean on Finn.

She’d have to get stronger herself.

With online attacks piling up and deliberate smears hitting her again and again, she knew the

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Chapter 194 Temporary Fix

truth–peaceful days were just a fantasy.

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