Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55 A Deal for Dignity

“Mr. Lock will be here shortly. Please wait a moment, Ms. Ember.”

Zane motioned for someone to bring her a glass of water.

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Moments later, a junior assistant arrived and called Zane away, leaving Tess alone in the grand, spacious office.

Her eyes drifted toward the large executive chair, which was empty for now.

She remembered how he always sat there in a crisp, couture suit, every button fastened meticulously to the top, handling the affairs of the company with an air of effortless control.

Back then, as his chief attorney, she had spent countless hours across from him discussing legal strategy and company affairs.

But never–not once–had she stood in this office as his wife.

And now, standing here again, it felt like she had stumbled into a different life entirely.

Her fingertips brushed against the armrest of the chair, and in that fleeting moment, she could almost see his eyes–sharp, dark, and fixed on her through the void.

To others, those eyes might seem full of warmth and affection, but only Tess knew how cold and calculating they truly were.

“I heard Mr. Lock and Ms. Nadine are getting married soon.”

“Well, if I were him, I’d marry her too. She’s beautiful, smart–they’re the perfect couple.”

“Ms. Nadine is right next door, actually. Word is, she’s waiting for Mr. Lock to get off work so they can grab dinner.”

Right next door?

Tess clenched her fists inside her sleeves.

So that’s why Finn wasn’t showing up. This was his way of putting her in her place.

She knew exactly why she had come–to ask Nadine for forgiveness.

But she hadn’t expected their offices to be this close–separated only by à corner and a thin

wall.

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Chapter 55 A Deal for Dignity

When Tess entered, Nadine barely looked up, her eyelids lifting lazily as if she’d been expecting her.

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“Fancy seeing you again, sis,” she said with a bright smile, but her eyes glinted with mockery.

The way Nadine called her made Tess’s skin crawl. Too sweet. Too fake.

Tess met her gaze coldly. Their eyes locked in the air. Tess’s jaw tightened, her blood roaring in her ears, and then–she lowered her head.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

If an apology could spare Charles from Finn’s wrath, she’ll do it.

“What did you say?”

Nadine tilted her head and cupped her ear theatrically, feigning confusion.

Tess looked up and caught the smug sparkle in her eyes.

“I said, I’m sorry.”

Tess felt a rush of bitterness and numbness rise in her chest.

Nadine blinked, surprised by how quickly Tess folded.

But she recovered fast, her smile widening. “Tess, Mom always said, “if you’re going to apologize, do it like you mean it.”

Tess looked up and narrowed her eyes. “What do you want?”

“Oh, you know,” Nadine said, feigning reluctance. “You did slap me. And I’m not one to stoop to your level. But… ” Nadine recalled the humiliation of that day, and a flash of cold light flickered beneath her eyes.

“How about this?”

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