Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 342

Chapter 342 Snide Remark

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“Ms. Ember, how do you answer the rumors online saying you slandered your parents, grew up into a pathological liar, and lived without morals?“”

“Ms. Ember, who is your daughter’s father? Rumors claim you and Mr. Lock are divorced. Does this mean the child’s father has returned?”

Microphones lunged at her from every direction, flashes exploding like lightning. The reporters‘ hands were pushing so close it felt as if Tess would drown in the crush.

Only then did she see that Henry had not come alone. He had dragged nearly every well- known outlet in Aetheris with him, all hungry for a scandal.

The roar around her swelled until it shook the air. Tess’s face stayed cool, her expression carved in stone. But when the questions cut toward her daughter, her eyes sharpened in an instant, slicing through the crowd like steel leaving its sheath.

“If anyone drags my daughter’s name into this again, I will come for you with charges of slander and defamation, and I will sue you into bankrupcy.”

Her voice cracked like ice, sharp enough to wound.

Her stare swept over the crowd, slicing across the raised microphones.

Her threat fell like a blade, and silence dropped heavy over the room.

The reporter who had spoken froze up. His arm was stiff, and the microphone was shaking in his grip.

Tess fixed her gaze on him. “Get out.”

The words landed, and Abel moved before the echo died. His hand caught the man by the collar, and with one brutal motion he hurled him outside.

The action flowed smooth and unbroken. It was so fast, it stunned the room. Quiet crashed down, and the air turned so still that even the fall of a pin would have rung loud.

Tess stood at the center, her white dress wrapping her slim waist, her figure delicate yet her presence sharp as a blade. Strength clung to her like a second skin.

From a distance, Nadine watched, her teeth grinding together with hate.

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16:32 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 342 Snide Remark

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Her own life had sunk to ruin, yet Tess stood untouchable, admired, and strong.

Envy and rage climbed through her chest like weeds tightening around her heart.

“Tess, he was only doing his job. You can’t have Finn’s nephew toss him out.”

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Nadine’s voice rose sweetly, at least on the surface, but her eyes flicked toward the reporter sprawled outside on the pavement. Her tone was dripping with blame as she turned back to

Tess.

Tess shifted her head, her gaze landing coldly on Nadine.

Her words had barely left her mouth when the reporters began to whisper.

“She’s right, the guy was only doing his job. Did Tess snap because they touched a nerve?”

“Forget that, did you hear her? That man with her is Mr. Lock’s nephew?”

“Yeah, but Tess is divorced from Mr. Lock. Why is she tied up with his nephew now?”

The murmurs spread like fire. Nadine caught most of them, and pride flickered in her eyes.

Tess narrowed her gaze at her, catching the glint of triumph with ease.

A soft laugh slipped from her lips.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She’s just like her mother.

The kindness was an act, a scheme to tell everyone who Abel really was.

“You might have suffered from the lack of a mother’s love, given that yours is … well, dead. My daughter’s isn’t. I’m still here. My daughter does not need your judgment or anyone else’s.”

The smile left Tess’s face. Cold swept through the air, pressing heavy on every chest.

Her words carried no kindness, only cruel finality.

Nadine’s face twisted, shame spreading across her features.

Shannon was not gone. Nadine must have known the truth all along.

Tess‘

eyes flicked toward Henry. His fists clenched tight, his glare locked on her, yet no answer came from his mouth. Satisfaction burned through her veins.

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16:32 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 342 Snide Remark

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“She’s right,” Abel said lazily, his back against the doorframe. His glance cut to Nadine, filled with scorn. “You’re nothing but an illegitimate child. You have no place to speak.”

Heat rushed to Nadine’s cheeks, her skin flaming red with humiliation.

This was far more than she’d ever endured in her whole life.

“Nadine is not illegitimate! My family adopted her! We love her like she’s our own!”

Kylie’s voice ripped through the air, sharp and furious. She stepped forward, her finger stabbing at Tess. ““But you, you’re the outsider! You’re the unwanted one!”

Her outburst froze the room. Tess herself had not expected her mother’s words to cut so deep, so sudden.

The words weighed heavily and cruel because they came from her own mother’s mouth.

Tess‘ face didn’t flinch, but her fingers curled tight at her side, hidden from the crowd.

But Abel caught the tremor of her fists.

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