Chapter 61 Enemies on Every Corner
Chapter 61 Enemies on Every Corner
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Charles instinctively unlocked his phone. A message from an old colleague popped up—someone he used to be close with at work. Attached was a photo.
It showed Tess, standing in the Lock Group’s lobby, surrounded by onlookers pointing and whispering.
A sharp pain pierced through Charles’s chest.
If it weren’t for him. Tess wouldn’t have been humiliated by Finn.
She had gone that far… for him.
Even though he had already seen the photo, looking at it again made it just as suffocating.
“I want to be discharged,” Charles said suddenly.
He buzzed the nurse, his expression clouded with shadows.
The nurse blinked, startled by the sudden shift in the usually soft–spoken Charles. She felt unsettled but rejected him. “I’m sorry, Mr. Jackman. That youngdy gave strict instructions -You can only be discharged when you’re fully recovered.”
At her words, Charles’s hand, which had been reaching for the doorknob, slowly withdrew.
Meanwhile, Tess wandered the streets with her head low, defeated.
Her phone rang inside her pocket again and again.
Grimacing, she finally switched it to silent mode.
It was Charles calling.
She’d declined the call several times. Eventually, she gave up trying to stop him.
Clutching La tightly in her arms, she shielded the child from the harsh midday sun that might harm her soft skin.
Earlier, Tess had applied for a job as a hotel cleaner. But the moment employers saw the baby in her arms, they immediately. rejected her; some barely masked their fear of inconvenience.
She nced up at the zing sun overhead. Everything felt heavier under its re.
If she couldn’tnd a job before nightfall, where would she and La go?
Before the interview, Tess had counted the cash she had left.
Even the cheapest motel would onlyst them two or three nights. And that didn’t even include food.
She could go without a proper meal–but not La. And the form Bessie had given her was already running low.
Lost in worry, she didn’t notice the luxury <i>car </i>that suddenly veered <b>too </b>close, swerving recklessly past her.
Startled. They quickly pulled tighter and stepped back to the curb.
But the car dyin’t drive off It began circling her.
Once Two That want a consulence
blue squinted toward the driver’s side window When she saw the familiar face twisted in a mocking smile, her body tensed all
Over
Tess gopped La closer and lowered her head, hoping to ship away unnoticed.
10:26 AM P
Chapter 61 Enemies on Every Corner
Toote. The car door flung open, blocking her path.
“Well, look who it is–small world, huh?” A sharp voice sneered.
Someone stepped out, perfectly poised in expensive designer heels.
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Nadine tossed her sunsses back into the car, her eyes narrowing in on the bundle Tess was shielding in her arms.
But Tess had wrapped La so securely in a soft nket that nothing could be seen.<fnb9dd> Latest content published on find~novel</fnb9dd>
Nadine scoffed, her tone dripping with contempt. “Do you know what you look like right now? A pathetic little stray nobody
wants.
With Finn nowhere nearby, she no longer bothered to keep up her innocent act.
Tess instinctively took a step back.
Something urred to her; Tess’s gaze dropped to Nadine’s heels and slowly lifted toward her t stomach.
Wasn’t Nadine supposed to be pregnant? Why was she still wearing stilettos and riding in sports cars?
Nadine caught the shift in Tess’s stare and followed her line of sight–straight to her stomach.
<i>Dammit</i><i>! </i>
<i>I </i>told everyone I’m <i>pregnant</i>. Did <i>Tess </i><i>just </i><i>figure </i>something <i>out</i><i>? </i>
Flustered, Nadine immediately ced her handbag in front of her abdomen like a shield.
“What are you looking at? Are you jealous and nning to hurt my baby?”
Their eyes locked midair.
Tess didn’t respond right away, but something about Nadine’s expression struck her as strange.
What kind of mother looked like that when she mentioned her own child?
There was nothing maternal in Nadine’s eyes–just restlessness, irritation, and open hostility toward Tess. But not a trace of tenderness for the life supposedly growing inside her.
Tess couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Mayle not all women be doting mothers right <i>away</i>, Tess told herself.
| Under the weight of Tess’s stare, Nadine shifted ufortably, not knowing what to do with her hands or how to hold
benell
“What are you staring at she snapped, her neck stiff with forced defiance.
Tess slowly pulled her gaze away. Her voice, when it came, was cool and t, “Move,”
With that any Mare gone, Nadine felt a subtle sense of relief–but it didn’tst. Her pride kicked in, and she crossed her arms dramatically, raising her <b>cun </b>
what now! You own the sidewalk? she inocked.
Madine naised an eyebrow and nted her hands on her hips, stepping in even more arrogantly to block Tess’s path.
Fiun in’t here right <i>now</i><i>, </i>she sneered. “So don’t give me that look. That whole lonely and misunderstood act only works on men who sull feel sorry for you”
Nadine let out a densive sport, dearly here with an agenda.
Trss knew it, too. No–this woman had stumbles across her by ident. She was here on purpose, clearly looking for a
10:26
Chapter 61 Enemies on Every Corner
fight.
And sure enough, Nadine’s next words cut like a deced with glee.
“What’s wrong? Did Charles finally kick you out?”
<b>+5 </b>Free <b>Coins </b>
She sneered. “Ever since younded yourself in jail, that mutt’s been barking at me non–stop. He really was loyal, wasn’t he?
“But I didn’t expect his loyalty to vanish so fast. You drag him down with 30 million in debt, and just like that–he drops your
Nadine folded her arms with smug satisfaction, as though waiting to watch Tess break down.
But the moment never came. Tess stood still, face calm, gaze steady. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her expression–not anger, not shame, not even surprise.